What Are the Sizes of Photo Paper? What Are the Types of Photo Paper?

What are the sizes of photo paper?

Photo paper comes in various sizes, including 1 inch, 2 inches, 6 inches, 8 inches, and more. Specifically, 1.1 inches equals 2.54 centimeters. Photo sizes are often mentioned in inches (referring to the longer side). Standard photo dimensions within 10 inches usually differ by 2, for instance, 8 inches equals 8x6, 6 inches equals 6x4, and so forth. Photo paper, also known as photosensitive paper or photographic paper, originated in traditional printing for developing photos. Later, it found application in the printing industry and became commonly known as photo paper.

What are the types of photo paper?

There are several types of photo paper, each catering to specific needs:

1. Glossy Photo Paper: Known for its high shine.

2. Matte Photo Paper: Features a smooth, non-reflective surface.

3. Semi-Gloss Photo Paper: A balance between glossy and matte, offering a subdued shine.

4. Professional Photo Paper: Designed for high-quality prints.

5. Luster Photo Paper: Offers a soft sheen without excessive gloss.

6. Adhesive-Backed Photo Paper: Often used for photo stickers in applications like photo booths.

Commonly used in households, glossy photo paper is popular for everyday printing, while adhesive-backed photo paper is favored for photo booths.

Characteristics of Photo Paper:

Technically, photo paper involves coating ordinary paper with a special layer. This enhances the paper's brightness and allows it to absorb extremely fine ink particles, ensuring quick curing and vibrant photo colors. Additionally, the paper's texture is firm, preventing ink penetration, making it ideal for high-resolution printing.

What is the composition of photo paper?

1. Traditional Fiber-Based Photo Paper (FB): Involves applying photosensitive emulsion on traditional paper pulp fibers, providing the highest image quality and durability.

2. Resin-Coated Photo Paper (RC): Coated with a resin on the back to prevent chemical penetration. It allows for rapid washing and is suitable for automatic processing machines.

Layers of Photo Paper:

1. Base Layer: Comprises high-quality fiber paper with varying thickness standards, ensuring whiteness and uniform texture.

2. Barium Sulfate Layer: A thin layer to fill minor defects in the paper base, enhancing whiteness.

3. Resin Layer (Optional): Applied on top of the barium sulfate layer in RC photo paper to prevent chemical liquid penetration during development. Photo papers without this layer are termed base paper, while those with it are called coated photo paper.

Understanding the sizes, types, and composition of photo paper allows photographers and enthusiasts to choose the most suitable option for their specific printing needs.