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Satin Photo Paper

Our luster and satin photo papers print bright colors and sharp details on virtually any inkjet printer, including ones that use pigment inks.

With satin and luster texture, you get less reflection than you often get with glossy paper and makes prints more resistant to handling. These are by far the best selling Red River inkjet photo papers.

Why is Luster / Satin Paper so popular?

Handling– The light texture is great at resisting fingerprints, dirt, etc...

Viewing - The satin surface breaks up reflections and glare you commonly get with papers that have a glossy finish, making viewing from all angles easy. It also helps images look more vibrant than when using other matte paper.

Familiarity - Photo labs use this surface for most prints. A satin inkjet print looks and feels more like a "traditional" photo to any viewer which can be a personal preference for some.

Satin Photo Paper

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: 68lb. / 270 gsm
  • Thickness: 10.4 mil

UltraPro Luster 300

UltraPro Luster produces professional quality results and works with virtually any type of photographic subject. Because it is heavier and thicker than a typical photo lab paper, your prints will feel more substantial and will resist handling wear.

  • Surface: Satin deep texture
  • Paper: Bright white
  • Weight: 300 gsm / 80lb.
  • Thickness: 11.6 mil

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 Luster Metallic 255

Polar Luster Metallic gives you the unique metallic look with a classic luster surface. (Combine our Arctic Polar Luster with Polar Gloss Metallic 255)

  • Surface: Luster texture photo metallic
  • Tone: Warm
  • Weight: 255 gsm / 66lb.
  • Thickness: 10.4 mil

66lb. Palo Duro Satin

Warmer Tone Satin Paper

The warmer tone cousin of Arctic Polar Satin, Palo Duro is a wonderful choice for landscapes, portraits, and more.

  • Surface: Satin shallow texture
  • Tone: Warmer white
  • Weight: 255 gsm / 66lb.
  • Thickness: 10.4 mil

UltraPro SemiGloss Duo 255

PRODUCT NAME CHANGE - This paper was formerly UltraPro Satin Duo. Make UltraPro SemiGloss Duo 255 your go-to photo paper for books, portfolios, and high-end presentations. This paper is double-sided - You can print the professional photo quality on both sides.

  • Printable: Both sides
  • Surface: Semi-gloss semi-smooth
  • Tone: Bright white
  • Weight: 255 gsm / 66lb.
  • Thickness: 9.7 mil

50lb. Arctic Polar Luster Double-sided

Arctic Polar papers are the highest performance photo inkjet papers you can buy. 50lb. Arctic Polar Luster is a medium weight double-sided luster for photo books, portfolios, and binding projects.

  • Printable: Both sides
  • Surface: Satin deep texture
  • Tone: Bold Bright White
  • Weight: 190 gsm / 50lb.
  • Thickness: 9 mil

Quick Compare

Here's a snapshot comparison of our satin finish luster.

UltraPro

  • Most popular line
  • Medium and deep satin finish available
  • 10.4 mil and 11.6 mil available
  • Bright white

Arctic Polar

  • The absolute best photo paper Photo Luster on Earth
  • Deep satin (luster) finish
  • 11.8 mil available
  • Bold bright white

Palo Duro

  • Warmer tone version compared to most satin papers
  • Medium depth satin finish
  • 10.4 mil thickness

A Closer Look

Each paper has a slightly different e-surface texture depth. The images below try to illustrate the differences; each photo was converted from color to black and white to help enhance the texture of each paper. The more pronounced the texture surface and depth, the more you will be able to see the texture when viewing the print up close; at long distances, the texture is not observable. Generally, more texture means less reflection and glare. Papers with shallow surface texture, such as Arctic Polar Satin, are still much less glossy than glossy paper and provide more contrast than matte finishes.

Paper NameUltraPro Satin® UltraPro Luster® Palo Duro Satin®Arctic Polar Luster®
UltraPro Satin 4.0 UltraPro Luster Palo Duro Satin Arctic Polar Luster
Quality Compare to retail brands Compare to retail brands Superior to retail brandsSuperior to retail brands
Weight270 gsm / 68lb 300 gsm / 80lb255 gsm / 66lb 290 gsm / 75lb
Thickness10.4 mil 11.6 mil10.4 mil11.8 mil
Paper Shade Bright white Bright white Warmer white Bright white
Printer CompatibilityUniversalUniversalUniversalUniversal
Markings on BackNoNoNoNo
Water ResistantYesYesYesYes
Available in RollsYesYesYesYes
Print on the back? No No No No

COMPARE TO RETAIL BRAND LUSTER & SATIN FINISH PHOTO PAPER

Red River satin and luster photo papers are as good as or better than the major retail brands like Epson, Canon, and HP at a lower price. We buy our papers from some of the same sources as the big names. The difference is that Red River brings the paper direct to you with only one stop on the way from the paper mill - our manufacturing facility in Dallas, Texas. Satin paper like UltraPro Satin and Arctic Polar Satin, and Arctic Polar Luster save you up to 40% over retail prices and offer the same performance time and time again as you've come to expect from the retail names.

Satin and luster photo paper from Red River Paper is carefully chosen to meet not only our standards, but yours as well. We test print our papers with many, if not all of, the printer models available from Epson, Canon, and HP.

Compare our quality, service, support, and shipping speed and you will love buying photo satin luster paper from us.

Comparison Chart

If you are using these papers Red River photo satin luster media will work for you.

Retail Brand Red River Suggested Replacement
Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper™
Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster
UltraPro Satin® - Most likely to replace Epson PLPP
Palo Duro Satin® - Closest to Epson shade
Epson Premium Semigloss™ UltraPro Satin®
Ilford Gallery Smooth Pearl™ UltraPro Satin®
Canon Photo Paper Plus Semi Gloss™ UltraPro Satin®
Canon Heavyweight Satin Photographic Paper™ - 300 gsm

Arctic Polar Luster®

HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Soft Gloss™ UltraPro Satin®
Using another brand? Contact us and we will suggest a replacement.

USES FOR SATIN INKJET PAPER

High quality photo prints

For your best images, consider satin luster photo paper if your image has a high level of contrast or is highly saturated. The textured surface yields brilliant color saturation and deep black density when used.

Snapshots

For every day photo printing, look to satin photo paper. Photo labs traditionally use satin printing paper to make sure many different images look great. Red River satin photo papers come in 4x6 and 5x7 size sheets for your snapshot printing.

Photo books

Photo books have become very popular. Satin luster paper is a good choice for single side page photo books. Photobase inkjet paper like UltraPro Satin withstands handling well and will work well for photo book projects of all sizes.

The best way to familiarize yourself with various satin paper is to try them by purchasing a small quantity. A good idea is to print something from each genre of your photo library to see how the media represents your work. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us and leave a reply.