How To Print On Glossy Paper Properly : Easy Steps To Follow

Have you ever wondered how one might print on glossy paper? Well, the question has come to many minds as printing on anything glossy paper sounds a little gimmicky, especially if you want to do it at home.

How would the print adhere to the paper if it can’t sink into the paper? How do these glossy papers allow the ink to adhere to them?

Well, I happen to have the answer to all of your questions, from how to print on glossy paper to which would be the best glossy paper for you to print on! All you have to do is read this piece on writing, and you too will be fluent in the language of glossy paper and print on them.

To find out how you can print on glossy paper at home, keep reading!

Ways To Print on Glossy Paper

There are a number of ways in which people print on glossy paper. Before, the process was very complicated; however, with the innovation of technology, many devices have been made that can make the job much easier for us human beings.

Now, before I jump into all the technical things on the how-tos, I am going to tell you why printing on glossy paper is important and what these are typically used for.

Why To Print On Glossy Paper?

One of the most common uses of glossy paper while printing is for photographs. Even though photographs are printed on a number of different papers, but glossy paper has been one of the most popular choices. The images come out clearer, and the overall output is great.

Why Print On Glossy Paper?

Now the name of the paper itself clues you in on what kind of finish the final picture is going to have. And many people prefer this finish over a matte finish.

Now that we have the why out of the way, we can jump into the how.

How To Print On Glossy Paper?

The process of printing on glossy paper is not very difficult, very much like how it would be if you were to print on regular matte paper. However, the main difference would be in the way the print works on the glossy paper as opposed to the matte paper.

So some settings have to be adjusted for the printer to work with glossy paper.

  • Step 1: Get the right paper

Even though you are going to get the glossy paper to print on, you need to make sure the paper you end up purchasing has to be the right fit for the printer. The type and size of glossy paper you use in an Epson printer will not be the same as a laser printer would.

How To Print On Glossy Paper?

Choosing the wrong paper could prove to be damaging for the printer. So be careful when you make the selection. The information also comes in the packaging; read it carefully to find the size you need.

  • Step 2: Print printer rollers

The next thing on your to-do list would be to clean out the roller in your printer. This is an important part of the process as this will determine how the paper is going to feed into the printer. If the roller isn’t clean, then the whole process is going to go wrong.

  • Step 3: Adjust printing setting

I have mentioned before that you can’t have the printer on the same setting to print out on matte and glossy paper. As the papers are different, they would need the ink to go on the paper differently. On matte paper, more ink needs to be deposited for the image to come out as it should come out.

Adjust printing setting

So, you can’t have the same setting when you are printing on different papers. So when you go to the print setting, you have to select the option for printing on glossy paper.

Your printer will automatically work a little differently, meaning it will not deposit as much ink on the paper as it would have if it were printed on matte paper.

  • Step 4: Feed paper one at a time

Glossy paper tends to be thick; therefore, you need to make sure you feed the printer one paper at a time. The added thickness also results in static electricity; this could cause the papers to stick together if more than one paper is fed at a time.

Also, be mindful when you are placing the glossy papers stacked in one place. Papers such as these are notorious for sticking with each other and can cause a lot of damaged glossy paper.

  • Step 5: Allow the ink to dry

Once you are done with the actual printing part on the glossy paper, the next thing you have to do is make sure the ink is dry before you can move it or even touch it. If you do, then you might experience some smudging in the areas you have touched.

Allow the photo ink to dry

A little bit of patience will go a long way, so hold your horses and let the ink dry on the tray. You could also be a little careful and place them on a flat surface, then let the ink dry. Both of these methods of drying the ink are fine.

You just have to remember to wait to keep your fingers off the ink.

There you have it; by undertaking these five steps, you should be able to print on glossy paper.

Best Glossy Paper To Print On

Glossy papers are manufactured and sold by many companies. Some are very good while there are some which have many issues with their quality. You need to be a little careful while picking the right glossy paper to print on. You need to find good glossy papers at a reasonable price.

Now, how will you know which ones are the best glossy papers to print on? Well, you already know I have your back here. Below I will talk about some of the options you have if you are looking for glossy paper.

  • Epson Glossy Photo Paper

If you are on the lookout for glossy paper, then the number one option you will be presented with is the Epson glossy photo paper. There are many options for sizes you can choose for that are made for a variety of photo printers. They also have double-sided glossy photo paper if that is something you are looking for!

Epson Glossy Photo Paper

  • Inkjet Glossy Paper

Another very common glossy paper you will find in the market is from Inkjet. They produce some of the best quality glossy paper for you to print photos on. The outcome is going to be excellent, and you will not have to pay for it with an arm and a leg.

Inkjet Glossy Paper

  • HP Glossy Photo Paper

And lastly, I have to mention the glossy photo papers from HP. They are known for their impeccable quality in everything they produce, and the same can be said about the glossy paper they made that goes along with their printer.

how to print on glossy paper hp

Final Verdict

Your question ‘how to print on glossy paper’ has been answered in great detail. You should have no issues printing pictures with a glossy finish after you are done reading this article, and also by using the right kind of glossy paper.

However, if you do happen to find yourself in a pickle, then you know I am always there to answer more of your questions. So if you do get confused, don’t hesitate to ask!

About Author

Alice

Alice covers platforms, policy and big tech at Printer Reviews. Prior to rejoining here, Alice was Senior Technology Editor of the TechDen. Alice first joined PrinterReviews in 2021. Before joining, he was the Tech Editor of the Daily Dot and a reporter and deputy editor at ReadWeb.

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