Paper guide

For archival pigment prints from Heading North. Choose the surface that fits the image and viewing environment.

Quick choice

  • Smooth matte (no shine): soft tones, neutral white, versatile.
  • Textured matte (subtle tooth): tactile surface, hides glare, painterly feel.
  • Semi-gloss baryta (photo finish): deeper blacks, higher micro-detail.

Smooth cotton rag (matte)

Look: smooth surface, low glare, gentle transitions.
Best for: portraits, subtle colour, low-glare rooms.
Primary stock: Canson Rag Photographique 310 gsm.
Alternate: Ilford Smooth Cotton Rag 310 gsm.
Label on product: (smooth matte, no shine).

Textured cotton rag (matte)

Look: visible texture, printmaker character; diffuses reflections.
Best for: landscapes, natural subjects, painterly images.
Primary stock: Canson Arches Velin Museum Rag 315 gsm.
Alternate: Ilford Textured Cotton Rag 310 gsm.
Label on product: (textured matte, subtle tooth).

Platine fibre rag (baryta, semi-gloss)

Look: light sheen, deep blacks, crisp detail; classic darkroom feel.
Best for: high-contrast colour and B&W where you want bite.
Primary stock: Canson Platine Fibre Rag 310 gsm.
Alternate: a comparable baryta will be confirmed if Canson is unavailable.
Label on product: (semi-gloss, photo finish).

Which should I choose?

  • Maximum detail and depth: Platine fibre rag.
  • Soft tones and low glare: Smooth cotton rag.
  • Tactile surface and character: Textured cotton rag.

Supply note

Canson is the default. If a paper is out of stock, the listed Ilford equivalent may be used with matched surface, weight, and archival grade. Soft-proofing is done to the exact printer profile for the chosen stock.