Explore the surface. Find the character of your print.
Compare fine art printing papers through manufacturer detail images, technical specifications and practical recommendations. Discover smooth cotton papers, traditional etching textures and photographic pearl or satin finishes for art prints, portraits and landscapes.
ABX IMAGING is based in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, working with artists, illustrators and photographers across Europe and internationally. We can help you compare papers and arrange printing on your preferred Hahnemühle or Canson paper, including options available on request.
A smooth matte sheet gives a different experience from a textured watercolour paper or a photographic satin finish. Use this collection to shortlist papers, then compare a physical proof with your own image.
How to read the specifications
Gsm is weight per square metre; millimetres describe actual sheet thickness. Manufacturer values are typical averages. Hahnemühle whiteness figures below use D65/2°/460 nm; Canson reports CIE whiteness. These are different measurements and should not be ranked directly against each other. OBA means optical brightening agents.
Texture descriptions and suggested subjects are practical selection guidance, not a quality ranking. These papers can reproduce both colour and black-and-white images. Manufacturer photographs show surface character, but screen settings and lighting cannot reproduce the exact paper white, feel or sheen.
A versatile cotton paper with a softly tactile surface that keeps the attention on the image. It is a useful starting point when you want the quiet appearance of matte paper without a strongly pronounced grain.
Weight
308 gsm
Thickness
0.48 mm
Paper white
White · 92.5%
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Smooth matte; subtle felt texture
OBA content
Very low
When to consider it Consider it for colour portraits, subtle skin tones, black-and-white studies, detailed illustrations and atmospheric landscapes. Compare very dark areas in a proof if you are moving from a glossy photographic paper.
A textured sheet with the character of traditional printmaking paper. The surface becomes a visible part of the presentation, particularly in pale tones and unprinted borders.
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
0.50 mm
Paper white
Natural white · 91.5%
Material
100% alpha cellulose
Surface
Matte; clearly visible felt texture
OBA content
Very low
When to consider it Explore it for painting reproductions, expressive illustration and painterly landscapes in colour or black and white. For portraits and very fine linework, check whether the texture supports the image at the intended viewing distance.
A substantial cotton paper for prints where the sheet itself contributes to the experience. Its natural-white base and tactile surface give editions a traditional art-paper presence.
Weight
350 gsm
Thickness
0.60 mm
Paper white
Natural white · 87%
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Matte; fine felt texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it Consider it for signed art editions, drawing and painting reproductions, restrained colour landscapes and monochrome artwork. Compare pale colours against the natural paper white; a warmer base can influence the impression of highlights.
A mould-made paper with a pronounced surface and a traditional watercolour character. The texture is deliberately expressive, so it should be part of your creative choice. The figures shown here refer to the 310 gsm version.
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
0.62 mm
Paper white
White · 88.5%
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Matte; pronounced watercolour texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it A strong comparison for watercolour reproductions, expressive landscapes and painterly colour or monochrome images. Proof small details and faces carefully: the texture can be a creative feature, but may compete with delicate marks.
A lighter-weight option with a traditional artist-paper surface. It offers a different handling experience from the thicker cotton sheets in this collection while retaining a clearly textured appearance.
Weight
210 gsm
Thickness
0.35 mm
Paper white
White · 88.5%
Material
50% cotton / 50% alpha cellulose
Surface
Matte; pronounced watercolour texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it Explore for watercolours, expressive drawings, botanical subjects and landscape reproductions. It can suit both colour and black-and-white artwork; assess very fine ink lines and miniature details in a sample before producing an edition.
A bright-white fine art paper with a pearl sheen. The reflective surface offers a different photographic presence from a matte sheet, while the bright base is particularly visible in borders and highlights.
Weight
285 gsm
Thickness
0.40 mm
Paper white
Bright white · 105%
Material
100% alpha cellulose
Surface
Pearl finish; lightly textured
OBA content
Moderate
When to consider it Compare for vivid colour photography, fashion portraits, detailed landscapes and black-and-white images. View it under the intended display lighting and from several angles to judge how the pearl sheen interacts with the image.
A cotton paper combining a natural-white base with a pearl finish. It offers a warmer-looking alternative to FineArt Pearl, with a gently textured surface and no optical brightening agents.
Weight
320 gsm
Thickness
0.48 mm
Paper white
Natural white · 89%
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Pearl finish; gentle, even texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it Consider for colour portraits, richly toned landscapes and monochrome photographs where a subtly reflective surface is welcome. Compare skin tones, neutral greys and unprinted margins when choosing between this paper and a brighter-white option.
A smooth cotton paper for a restrained matte presentation. The updated II coating is designed for strong image detail and tonal separation. These specifications refer to 310 gsm; the 210 gsm version has different thickness and whiteness values.
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
0.490 mm
Paper white
Natural paper white · CIE 88.9
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Smooth matte; low texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it A useful comparison for colour and black-and-white portraits, fine illustrations and detailed landscapes. Choose it when you want the image to lead and the paper texture to remain subtle. Review the deepest shadows and finest lines in a proof.
A cotton sheet with a soft grain inspired by traditional etching papers. It sits between very quiet smooth papers and strongly textured watercolour surfaces, giving the print a tactile presence without a pronounced coarse grain.
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
0.500 mm
Paper white
White · CIE 89.4
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Matte; soft, fine-grain texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it Explore for art editions, drawings, colour photographs and black-and-white portraits. It is also worth comparing for landscapes with subtle transitions. Use the same image alongside Rag Photographique II to judge how much surface character you prefer.
A mould-made cotton paper with a distinctive watercolour grain. It brings the surface character of a traditional art paper to an inkjet print, making the physical support an important part of the finished piece.
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
0.530 mm
Paper white
Natural paper base · CIE 96.76
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Matte; pronounced watercolour texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it Consider for watercolour reproductions, expressive illustration and atmospheric landscapes in colour or monochrome. If your scan already contains the texture of the original paper, proof the result to see how the two textures combine.
A cotton photographic paper with a satin finish inspired by the appearance of traditional fibre-based darkroom prints. It offers a photographic alternative to the matte surfaces in this collection.
Weight
310 gsm
Thickness
0.395 mm
Paper white
Natural paper base · CIE 89.12
Material
100% cotton
Surface
Smooth satin; restrained surface texture
OBA content
None
When to consider it Compare for expressive black-and-white photographs, colour portraits and detailed landscape images. Inspect reflections as well as shadow separation, particularly if the print will be displayed under strong directional light.
Start by deciding whether the portrait should feel soft and matte or more photographic and reflective. Photo Rag 308 and Rag Photographique II are useful smooth matte comparisons. Photo Rag Pearl, FineArt Pearl and Platine Fibre Rag offer reflective alternatives. Include pale skin, dark hair and neutral backgrounds in your proof; paper white and surface sheen can change their appearance.
For landscape photography
A detailed architectural landscape may call for a restrained surface, while an atmospheric woodland or abstract seascape may benefit from a more tactile paper. Compare texture at the final image scale. Check small branches, distant detail, deep foliage and subtle sky gradients. Colour and black-and-white landscapes can work on either matte or reflective papers depending on the intended character.
For paintings, watercolours and illustrations
Consider both the original medium and the new print as an object. William Turner, Albrecht Dürer and ARCHES Aquarelle Rag bring a clear watercolour texture. German Etching, Museum Etching and Edition Etching Rag II offer other tactile directions. For delicate line art, tiny lettering or a clean digital illustration, compare a smoother cotton paper. A reproduction does not have to imitate the original surface; choose deliberately and approve a proof.
For black-and-white prints
There is no single paper reserved for monochrome work. Pearl and satin papers are worth comparing when you want a photographic presentation, while matte papers offer a quieter surface. Assess separation in the shadows, the neutrality or warmth of the greys and the appearance of highlights alongside the unprinted border.
Looking for another Hahnemühle or Canson paper?
We can also print on other Hahnemühle and Canson papers on request. If your preferred paper is not shown here, send us its exact name and weight, together with the print size and quantity. We will confirm the available format, production options and timing for your project.
Shortlist two or three papers and compare the same image on each. Include a crop at final scale as well as the full composition. Tell us whether you are producing an exhibition, an artist edition, a portfolio or individual photographic prints. From our base in Antwerp province, Belgium, we work with European and international creatives to plan their fine art print production.
Technical references: official Hahnemühle data sheets and Canson Infinity product specifications, checked October 2026. Product images belong to their respective rights holders and are shown as manufacturer references. Paper availability, versions, weights and formats are confirmed per project.
