Vibrant botanical and abstract fine art prints arranged on a print studio table

Fine art & photo paper guide

Your art.The right paper.

From soft cotton rag to luminous luster, explore the textures, tones, and finishes that give a print its character. Compare your favorites and choose with confidence.

BIGOX PRINTINGGREAT ART. GREAT PAPER.

Let’s findyour paper.

Tell us what you make.
We’ll give you a place to start.

Canson Infinity

Edition Etching Rag II

The most controlled textured paper in the collection. Where German Etching leans warm and velvety, Edition Etching Rag is cooler, crisper, and more precise — the texture is consistent and fine enough that detailed artwork holds up.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Medium Texture
Paper white
Pure White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
19.1 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forFine art prints, detailed artwork

Consider another paper ifYou want a completely smooth surface

Hahnemühle

Photo Rag Bright White

The flagship matte paper for photographers who want precision. Smooth, bright, and clean — it delivers crisp detail and strong blacks without any surface character pulling attention from the image. Less clinical than Rag Photographique II, but just as sharp.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
16.5 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forPortraits, commercial fine art, fine art photography

Consider another paper ifYou want warmth or texture

Moab

Lasal Exhibition Luster

The step up from Ultra Premium Luster in every way that matters — heavier, richer D-max, stronger color holdout, and a more refined surface that reads as exhibition-ready. The default for portrait and event photographers who want a luster finish they can be proud of.

Finish
Luster / Pearl
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
300 gsm
Thickness
11.5 mil
Paper type
Resin Coated

A good fit forPortraits, client work, exhibitions

Consider another paper ifYou want a true matte or fine art feel

Hahnemühle

FineArt Baryta

The most traditional darkroom-style paper in the lineup. High gloss with no texture — blacks hit hard, highlights stay clean, and the surface has a fiber-print sheen black-and-white photographers will recognize immediately. Maximum tonal punch behind glass.

Finish
Gloss
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
325 gsm
Thickness
15.4 mil
Paper type
Baryta

A good fit forBlack-and-white, gallery photography

Consider another paper ifYou want reduced glare

Hahnemühle

Bamboo

A paper with a distinct personality. The bamboo fiber base gives it a warm, slightly golden tone that's different from any cotton rag in the collection — organic in a way that feels intentional rather than just "not bright." Colors stay soft and contrast stays low.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Warm White
Weight
290 gsm
Thickness
16.5 mil
Paper type
Natural Fiber

A good fit forFine art, environmental themes

Consider another paper ifYou want bright whites or punchy contrast

Hahnemühle

Photo Rag Metallic

The most dramatic paper in the collection. Unlike Slickrock Metallic Pearl, which is a resin-coated photo paper with shimmer, Photo Rag Metallic is a cotton rag base with a metallic finish — so you get the dimensional, light-catching effect with more weight and a finer feel in hand.

Finish
Metallic
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
340 gsm
Thickness
16.9 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forAutomotive, night scenes, bold imagery

Consider another paper ifYou want a traditional fine art look

Canson Infinity

Aquarelle Rag

The most assertive watercolor paper in the lineup. The grain is deep and visible — it doesn't just suggest texture, it dominates the surface. Prints take on the character of an original painted piece, which is exactly the point.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Heavy Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
240 gsm
Thickness
15.2 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forWatercolor reproductions, artwork

Consider another paper ifYou need smooth detail or photographic sharpness

Canson Infinity

BFK Rives Pure White

The brighter sibling of BFK Rives White — same soft mould-made surface, but with a cooler, more modern base tone that adds contrast and visual pop. Where BFK White softens everything, Pure White gives images more presence.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Light Texture
Paper white
Pure White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
17.7 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forFine art prints needing more visual pop

Consider another paper ifYou prefer a softer, warmer tone

Canson Infinity

BFK Rives White

A mould-made cotton paper with a soft felt grain and a natural white tone that gently warms everything it touches. Contrast stays understated, tonal transitions feel easy and gradual. A paper that steps back and lets the image speak quietly.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Light Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
17.7 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forArtwork, fine art photography, softer presentation

Consider another paper ifYou want bright whites or high contrast

Canson Infinity

Rag Photographique II

The sharpest matte paper in the lineup. Completely smooth with a pure white base — there's nothing between the image and the viewer. Blacks go deep, highlights stay clean, and fine detail resolves with a precision textured papers can't match.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Pure White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
15.6 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forPortraits, fine art photography, high-resolution work

Consider another paper ifYou want visible texture

Epson

Cold Press Bright

The bright, high-contrast version of Epson's cold press pair. The texture is noticeable — more than an etching paper, less than a full watercolor stock — and the bright white base keeps colors vivid. At 340 gsm and 21 mil, one of the heaviest in the lineup.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Medium Texture
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
340 gsm
Thickness
21 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forPainterly photography, textured artwork

Consider another paper ifYou need ultra-sharp detail without texture

Epson

Cold Press Natural

Same weight and texture as Cold Press Bright, but the natural white base pulls everything warmer and softer. Colors feel slightly muted, contrast relaxes, and the overall effect is more traditional and understated.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Medium Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
340 gsm
Thickness
21 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forFine art prints, watercolor-style work

Consider another paper ifYou want high contrast or bright whites

Epson

Hot Press Bright

A smooth, bright matte cotton paper that prioritizes clarity above all else. Compared to Rag Photographique II, it's slightly heavier and warmer in how it renders midtones, but still firmly in the bright-and-clean camp.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
330 gsm
Thickness
17 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forFine art photography, portraits, modern artwork

Consider another paper ifYou want visible texture or a warmer tone

Epson

Hot Press Natural

The quietest paper in the collection. Smooth surface, warm natural base, no optical brighteners — prints feel like they've always existed. Tonal transitions are gentle and forgiving, especially effective for black-and-white work where shadow detail should emerge gradually.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
330 gsm
Thickness
17 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forB&W, fine art, timeless presentation

Consider another paper ifYou want bright whites or strong contrast

Epson

Ultra Premium Luster

The everyday workhorse. Lighter weight and more affordable than Exhibition Luster, but still delivers reliable color, clean detail, and a subtle sheen that photographs well and handles easily. Built for volume, consistency, and broad appeal.

Finish
Luster / Pearl
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
240 gsm
Thickness
10 mil
Paper type
Resin Coated

A good fit forPortraits, weddings, sports, everyday prints

Consider another paper ifYou want a matte fine art look or high-gloss impact

Hahnemühle

FineArt Baryta Satin

Baryta depth with better real-world usability. The satin finish keeps the richness and contrast of a gloss baryta but tames reflections under gallery lighting and behind glass. Same tonal authority as FineArt Baryta, fewer viewing-angle compromises.

Finish
Satin
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
300 gsm
Thickness
14.2 mil
Paper type
Baryta

A good fit forPortraits, exhibition prints

Consider another paper ifYou want either full gloss or full matte

Hahnemühle

German Etching

The most versatile fine art paper in the collection, and a safe starting point if you're not sure what you want. The texture is velvety and warm — present enough to give prints depth and character, subtle enough that it doesn't compete with the image.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Light Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
16.5 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forVersatile fine art and photography

Consider another paper ifYou want either ultra-smooth or heavily textured extremes

Hahnemühle

Hemp

The modern counterpart to Bamboo. Where Bamboo runs warm and soft, Hemp pairs its natural fiber base with a brighter tone and stronger contrast — it feels contemporary rather than earthy. A light texture adds just enough character to distinguish it from smooth cotton rags.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Light Texture
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
290 gsm
Thickness
16.1 mil
Paper type
Natural Fiber

A good fit forFine art photography with character

Consider another paper ifYou want a traditional cotton rag look

Hahnemühle

Museum Etching

The heaviest and most textured etching paper in the lineup. At 350 gsm and over 21 mil, it has a physical presence that smaller papers can't match — prints feel like objects, not just images on a surface. The texture is bold and deliberate.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Heavy Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
350 gsm
Thickness
21.3 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forFine art prints and reproductions

Consider another paper ifYou want subtle or minimal texture

Hahnemühle

Photo Rag Baryta

The most fine-art-leaning baryta in the collection. A light texture softens the surface just enough that prints feel less like photographs and more like gallery objects. Tonal range is still wide, but the presentation skews more tactile and nuanced.

Finish
Satin
Texture
Light Texture
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
315 gsm
Thickness
14.6 mil
Paper type
Baryta

A good fit forGallery photography with a softer feel

Consider another paper ifYou want a completely smooth gloss surface

Hahnemühle

Photo Rag Pearl

A cotton rag paper with a pearl finish — which puts it in a category of its own. Where Epson Ultra Premium Luster and Moab Exhibition Luster are resin-coated photo papers, Photo Rag Pearl gives you luster-style depth and glare control on a heavier, finer cotton base. A strong all-rounder for photographers who want versatility.

Finish
Luster / Pearl
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
320 gsm
Thickness
14.2 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forPortraits, weddings, versatile use

Consider another paper ifYou want either matte or high-gloss extremes

Hahnemühle

Torchon

Bold, tactile, and unapologetically textured. Shares the watercolor-grain category with William Turner and Aquarelle Rag, but its surface has a soft, rolling, dimensional quality — heavy texture that feels sculpted and rounded rather than sharp.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Heavy Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
285 gsm
Thickness
19.3 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forArtwork, expressive prints, painterly styles

Consider another paper ifFine detail and sharpness are critical

Hahnemühle

William Turner

The most painterly paper in the collection. Heavier grain than Torchon with a more irregular, handmade feel — the texture doesn't just add character, it actively shapes how the image reads. Prints look and feel like they were made by hand.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Heavy Texture
Paper white
Natural White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
16.5 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forArtwork and painterly reproductions

Consider another paper ifYou need fine photographic detail

Ilford

Galerie Smooth Gloss

Pure gloss with no apologies. The thinnest high-weight paper in the collection at just 10.4 mil, which gives it a snappier, more commercial feel. Colors saturate fully, blacks go absolute, and the reflective surface makes everything look polished and immediate.

Finish
Gloss
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
10.4 mil
Paper type
Resin Coated

A good fit forCommercial work, product photography, bold landscapes

Consider another paper ifGlare is a concern or you want a softer look

Moab

Entrada Rag Bright

A clean, bright cotton rag that sits between Hot Press Bright and Photo Rag Bright White. Slightly lighter at 290 gsm, which gives it a different hand feel. A solid choice for print competitions and work where you want a bright matte look without committing to the heaviest stocks.

Finish
Matte
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
290 gsm
Thickness
17 mil
Paper type
Cotton Rag

A good fit forFine art photography, portraits, detailed artwork

Consider another paper ifYou prefer warmer tones or textured surfaces

Moab

Juniper Baryta Rag

Splits the difference between a baryta's depth and a cotton rag's feel in hand. The satin finish pulls back from full gloss, so highlights roll off more gradually and the overall look is slightly less intense than FineArt Baryta.

Finish
Satin
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
305 gsm
Thickness
13.4 mil
Paper type
Baryta

A good fit forB&W photography, gallery prints

Consider another paper ifYou want a matte or low-glare finish

Moab

Slickrock Metallic Pearl

The lighter, more accessible metallic option. Noticeably thinner than Photo Rag Metallic — more of a photo paper with shimmer than a fine art paper with a metallic finish. Best for chrome, water, city lights, anything where that extra dimension strengthens rather than distracts.

Finish
Metallic
Texture
Smooth
Paper white
Bright White
Weight
260 gsm
Thickness
10 mil
Paper type
Resin Coated

A good fit forAutomotive, cityscapes, night scenes

Consider another paper ifYou want subtlety or traditional fine art presentation

Your paper shortlist

Find your differences.

Want to feel the difference?Sample packs coming soon

A little paper perspective

Same artwork.Different
character.

Close overhead view of overlapping fine art prints featuring violet irises and yellow daffodils
It’s all in the details.

The surface

Smooth lets the detail lead. Texture adds a physical presence of its own.

The finish

Matte, satin, luster, gloss. Think about the light where your print will live.

The paper white

Bright and crisp or warm and gentle? The unprinted paper is part of the picture, too.

Printed paper sample packsComing soon

Sample your next
favorite paper.

Build a paper reference you’ll return to—for your next collection, your next client, and the work you haven’t made yet.

  • See the color.Compare vibrant artwork and color swatches.
  • Explore the detail.Examine black-and-white images and tonal transitions.
  • Feel the difference.Get to know the surface, weight, and character of each paper.
BigOx black-and-white paper sample with architecture, grayscale patches, and detail patterns BigOx color paper sample with bird and botanical artwork, color swatches, and paper specifications
Keep a little possibility on hand.
Looking for canvas? Explore canvas mediaPreparing your files for print
Canvas media

Canvas transforms any image into wall art, bringing an artistic, painterly quality to prints that paper simply can't match. Perfect for digital art and photography that benefits from texture and visual depth. (Note: Optional varnished canvases require 2-3 days extra production time.)

Breathing Color® 17M Canvas

360 gsm | 17mil | Satin | No Varnish | 55-Year Archival | 65/35 Cotton-Poly
Contemporary artwork and photography showcase clean, undisturbed imagery on this lighter weight canvas inspired by Breathing Color's Crystaline canvas. The fine surface delivers subtle sophistication for modern galleries and spaces where elegant presentation takes priority.

Breathing Color® Crystaline Canvas

440 gsm | 21mil | Satin | No Varnish | 55-Year Archival | 65/35 Cotton-Poly
Bold contemporary art and vivid photography achieve maximum color impact on this heavyweight canvas. Exceptional vibrancy and depth with decades of fade-resistant display life for dramatic artwork that demands attention.

Hahnemühle® Goya Canvas

340 gsm | Satin-Finish | Poly-Cotton
Ideal for everyday use in transforming digital photography and artwork into authentic painting-like masterpieces. The distinctive satin-gloss texture creates striking depth and contrast while maintaining excellent stretchability for professional gallery presentations.

Hahnemühle® Daguerre Canvas

400 gsm | Matte Finish | Poly-Cotton
Upgraded weight and texture for contemporary art and photography requiring clean, vibrant colors on a bright white base. The fine, uniform texture and matte finish deliver exceptional detail reproduction and rich contrast, perfect for modern galleries and clean aesthetic presentations.

Hahnemühle® Cézanne Canvas

430 gsm | Matte Finish | 100% Cotton
The premium choice for fine art reproductions requiring authentic cotton texture and exceptional color brilliance. This heavyweight pure cotton canvas delivers museum-quality results with deep blacks and radiant colors, perfect for collectors and galleries demanding archival excellence.

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