Mini Test – PermaJet Double-Sided Paper Range

slightly warm white tone. Though classed as ‘smooth,’ it has a very slight texture, that’s reminiscent of drawing paper, making it perfect for fine art prints where a gallery feel, and archival longevity is crucial. Not as bright white as Double Sided Matt, it’s perfect for viewing under bright lighting conditions and has the capability to retain highlight detail under a spotlight. Meanwhile the warm base means the highlights will not look too cool under daylight.

Double Sided Matt, on the other hand, has a very smooth, very bright white matt surface, making it perfect for prints that might not be viewed under optimal lighting, say at trade or craft fairs, or on a desk in your clients’ home or office.

Both papers feel luxurious in the hands, reinforcing the impression of quality. Most image styles will work on both papers, but I tend to use DS Matt for commercial style images, and DS Portfolio for my more creative shots. However, I always take into account where they will be viewed, and by whom: will the audience be more used to a commercial or a gallery type look and feel?

The differences between Oyster and Lustre are less obvious and, though subtle, they are very useful none the less. Both are bright white, with a very faint texture to the ink surface under the finish, but they create a slightly different impression. Though both are photographic, Oyster is slightly more reminiscent of traditional darkroom prints, whereas the new Lustre finish evokes the feeling of an expensive fashion magazine. Personally, I prefer Lustre for a slicker commercial and Oyster for a more photographic look and feel, again driven by image type and/or target audience.