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Photo paper changes how a print looks as much as the printer does. Glossy gives vivid color, matte avoids glare, and the paper size and weight decide how it feels. Use paper made for inkjet printers, and where possible choose the same brand as your printer.

This guide covers six photo papers sold on Amazon. It is built from product listings, not our own testing, so check your printer’s supported paper before you buy. Our guide to choosing photo paper explains the finishes in more detail.

New to printers? Start with our guide to the best printers for home use and how we pick printers.

Last updated: October 30, 2026.

Quick Picks

Product Type Best for
Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy 4×6 Glossy photo paper, 4×6 Everyday glossy photo prints on Epson inkjets
Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy 4×6 Glossy photo paper, 4×6 A step up in glossy photo quality
Epson Value Photo Paper Glossy 4×6 Glossy photo paper, 4×6 Budget glossy prints
Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II 4×6 (400 sheets) Glossy photo paper, 4×6 High-volume glossy prints on Canon inkjets
Canon Photo Paper Plus Matte 8.5×11 Matte photo paper, letter size Glare-free prints at letter size
Koala Double Sided Matte Photo Paper 8.5×11 Double-sided matte paper Brochures and double-sided prints

6 Best Photo Paper for Inkjet Printers: Glossy and Matte

1. Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy 4×6

Epson’s glossy 4×6 photo paper in a 100-sheet pack.

Good for: family photos and albums printed on an Epson inkjet. Strengths: made by the printer brand and a standard 4×6 size. Weaknesses: glossy surfaces show fingerprints, and 4×6 only suits small prints. Skip it if you want a matte finish or larger prints.

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2. Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy 4×6

Epson’s higher-grade glossy 4×6 photo paper in a 100-sheet pack.

Good for: photos you plan to frame or give as gifts. Strengths: a premium-tier paper from the printer maker. Weaknesses: costs more per sheet than value paper. Skip it if you print many casual snapshots.

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3. Epson Value Photo Paper Glossy 4×6

Epson’s entry-level glossy 4×6 photo paper in a 100-sheet pack.

Good for: casual snapshots and school projects. Strengths: lower cost per sheet than premium paper. Weaknesses: thinner and less rich than premium grades. Skip it if you want gallery-quality prints.

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4. Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II 4×6 (400 sheets)

Canon’s glossy photo paper in a large 400-sheet 4×6 pack.

Good for: people who print many photos on a Canon printer. Strengths: large pack for volume printing. Weaknesses: the large pack is a big up-front buy, and 4×6 only. Skip it if you print only a few photos.

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5. Canon Photo Paper Plus Matte 8.5×11

Canon’s matte photo paper in a 50-sheet letter-size pack.

Good for: framed prints, art and black-and-white photos. Strengths: no glare, and letter size fits standard frames. Weaknesses: less vivid color pop than glossy. Skip it if you want a glossy finish.

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6. Koala Double Sided Matte Photo Paper 8.5×11

A 100-sheet pack of double-sided matte photo paper from a third-party brand.

Good for: brochures, flyers and double-sided photo projects. Strengths: printable on both sides at a lower cost per sheet. Weaknesses: third-party paper, so check compatibility with your printer’s ink. Skip it if you want the printer maker’s own paper for best color.

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Photo Paper: Notes

Printer paper type setting

Select the matching paper type in the print dialog.

Let prints dry

Glossy prints can smudge until dry.

Printer brand paper

Printer-maker paper is tuned for its own ink.

How to Choose

Pick the finish

Glossy for vivid photos, matte for framed art and glare-free display. Luster sits in between.

Match the paper to your printer

Printer-maker paper is tuned for its own ink. Third-party paper often works but results vary.

Set the paper type when printing

Choose the matching paper type in the print dialog so the printer uses the right ink and drying time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best photo paper for inkjet printers?

Paper from your printer maker is the safest choice. Glossy suits vivid prints, matte suits framed art.

Is glossy or matte better?

Glossy for color pop, matte for no glare. It is a matter of taste.

Can I use laser paper in an inkjet?

No. Use paper made for inkjet printers.

Bottom Line

For snapshots on an Epson printer, Epson Premium Photo Paper is the straightforward pick, and Ultra Premium is the step up. On Canon, Photo Paper Plus is the matching choice, and Canon matte suits framed art. Pair it with a good photo printer from our best photo printers.

More Printer Guides