Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Printing, Display & Output

Matte Paper

Paper with a non-reflective surface that scatters light diffusely, giving a soft appearance free of glare.

In depth

Because the surface scatters light, a matte print can be viewed from any angle without reflections, which is why galleries favour it. The same scattering limits maximum black, so matte prints have less contrast and require an output profile that compensates — printing a matte paper with a glossy profile produces flat, muddy shadows.

Examples in practice

A matte exhibition print stays readable under gallery spotlights that would make a glossy print unviewable.