Best Photo Inkjet Paper for Black & White Printing
Read the B&W Inkjet Primer
Need a few pointers about Black and White inkjet printing? Read our Black & White Inkjet Printing Primer.
Recommended Papers for Black & White Printing
Choosing the right paper for black-and-white printing is both subjective and deeply personal. While certain guidelines can help determine what "looks good" in terms of grayscale tones, the ultimate decision is guided by your unique preferences and artistic vision. The texture, finish, and tonal range of the paper all play a role in bringing your monochrome images to life.
At Red River, we offer a curated selection of Premium Photographic inkjet media, including papers that have become favorites among black-and-white photography enthusiasts. While there are no inkjet papers designed exclusively for black-and-white printing, certain options stand out for their ability to capture nuanced details, smooth gradients, and striking contrast. Whether you're aiming for dramatic shadows or subtle highlights, our papers provide the perfect canvas to elevate your black-and-white prints to a gallery-quality standard.
UltraPro Satin 270
Name Change: Formerly 68lb. UltraPro Satin
If you print, you have to have UltraPro Satin in your paper inventory. It produces professional quality results and works with virtually any image. The UltraPro Satin looks and feels just like photo lab satin - a lightly textured surface that breaks up reflections and minimizes fingerprints.
- Surface: Satin medium texture
- Tone: Bright white
- Weight: 270 gsm / 68 lb.
- Thickness: 10.4 mil
UltraPro Gloss 270
Name Change: Formerly 68lb. UltraPro Gloss
UltraPro Gloss 270 is a smooth, resin-coated high-gloss inkjet photo paper designed for vivid color, deep blacks, and sharp detail. The 10.4 mil thickness gives prints a classic photo-lab weight, and the instant-dry coating allows for quick, smear-free handling.
- Surface: Glossy
- Tone: Bright White
- Weight: 270 gsm / 68 lb.
- Thickness: 10.4 mil
Arctic Polar Luster 290
Name Change: Formerly 75lb. Arctic Polar Luster
Arctic Polar Luster is, by far, the finest luster photo paper on the market today. It has a rich, lustrous bright white tone, extra weight, extra thickness, and a splendid "E-surface" photo texture will set your prints apart from the rest.
- Surface: Luster deep texture
- Tone: Bright White
- Weight: 290 gsm / 75lb.
- Thickness: 11.8 mil
Polar Gloss Metallic 255
Polar Gloss Metallic 255 is a unique inkjet paper that closely matches the look of photo lab metallic prints.
- Surface: Glossy photo metallic
- Tone: Warm
- Weight: 255 gsm / 66lb.
- Thickness: 10.4 mil
Polar Matte 230
Name Change: Formerly 60lb. Polar Matte
Polar Matte 230 is a professional-grade photo matte paper designed for exceptional tonal control and detail. Its soft white surface provides excellent ink holdout, making it a trusted choice for high-quality photographic and artistic printing.
- Surface: Smooth matte
- Tone: Bright white
- Weight: 230 gsm / 60 lb.
- Thickness: 10 mil
Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag 315
Made from 100% cotton fiber and featuring a lightly textured soft gloss surface, Palo Duro SoftGloss Rag fine art paper gives you the classic look of a darkroom photographic print with the performance of modern inkjet technology.
- Surface: Lightly textured semi-gloss
- Tone: Warm white
- Weight: 315 gsm
- Thickness: 16.5 mil
Big Bend Baryta 310
Big Bend Baryta offers all the rich tonality, depth, and feel of a traditional darkroom print. The paper has a elegantly smooth finish and subtle reflectivity.
- Surface: Smooth semigloss finish
- Tone: Neutral white
- Weight: 310 gsm
- Thickness 12 mil
Aurora Art White 300®
Aurora White is a 100% cotton fiber, semi-smooth (hot press) fine art and photography paper. Aurora White features a brighter white shade for crisp color tones, semi-smooth surface, an acid-free base stock and coating. Made in the USA.
- Surface: Hot Press (semi-smooth)
- Tone: White
- Weight: 300 gsm
- Thickness: 18 mil
Aurora Art Natural 300®
Aurora Natural is a 100% cotton fiber, semi-smooth (hot press) fine art photo paper. Aurora Natural features a warmer shade that brings elegance and nuance to your photography and art prints. If you're looking for a museum grade cotton paper in the industry standard 300gsm weight, this is the paper for you! Made in the USA.
- Surface: Hot Press (semi-smooth)
- Tone: Warm White
- Weight: 300 gsm
- Thickness: 18 mil
Baram Hanji Photo Fine Art Paper
Baram Hanji is a semi-smooth Korean paper made in the ancient Hanji tradition. Baram has a modern, high-performance coating for remarkable print quality and saturation.
- Surface: Semi-smooth texture
- Tone: White
- Weight: 110 gsm
- Thickness: 8.4 mil
Noori Hanji Photo Fine Art Paper
Noori Hanji is a textured Korean paper made in the ancient Hanji tradition. Noori has a modern, high-performance coating for remarkable print quality and saturation.
- Surface: Moderate texture
- Tone: White
- Weight: 110 gsm
- Thickness: 8.4 mil
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