9 Best 13X19 Photo Paper | Glossy, Matte, or Luster: Which Wins

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Choosing the wrong 13×19 photo paper usually ends the same way: wasted ink, curled sheets, and photos that look flat instead of gallery-ready. This guide cuts through the finish jargon—glossy, matte, luster, satin—to show you exactly which sheet matches your printer, your ink, and the look you actually want.

I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.

From budget-friendly bulk packs to premium fine-art cotton, here is the definitive breakdown of the best 13X19 Photo Paper for every kind of print project.

Our Picks at a Glance

CanonInk Photo Paper Plus Glossy II 13' x 19' 20 Sheets
Best OverallCanonInk Photo Paper Plus Glossy II 13″ x 19″ 20 Sheets4.8★857 ratingsThe crowd favorite for glossy prints—vibrant, smudge-resistant, and sized for Canon’s photo printers.Check Price on Amazon
Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum 13 x 19 Inches, 10 Sheets
Super GlossCanon Photo Paper Pro Platinum 13 x 19 Inches, 10 Sheets4.8★837 ratingsA heavyweight super-gloss sheet that makes photos “shine” with a true professional-grade wow factor.Check Price on Amazon
A-SUB RC Photo Paper High Glossy 13x19 Inch, 66lb, 50 Sheets
Pro GlossA-SUB RC Photo Paper High Glossy 13×19 Inch, 66lb, 50 Sheets4.7★629 ratingsSharp, smudge-free gloss that stays flat—a pro-grade resin-coated sheet for weddings and fine art.Check Price on Amazon

How To Choose The Best 13X19 Photo Paper

The finish you pick dictates everything—how colors pop, how much glare you tolerate, and how the print feels in your hands. Before you buy, match the paper to your printer type and the ink you use, then think about where the final print will live.

Match the finish to the purpose

Glossy delivers the most vibrant, punchy colors and deepest blacks, which makes it ideal for landscapes and family snapshots meant for framing under glass. Matte kills glare entirely and feels smooth to the touch, so it suits art prints, menus, and wall art in bright rooms. Luster and satin sit in the middle—a soft sheen that resists fingerprints without the harsh reflections of glossy.

Understand weight and thickness

Weight is measured in GSM (grams per square meter) or pounds (lb), and thicker sheets feel more premium and stay flat. A 200 GSM sheet is sturdy enough for posters and crafts, while a heavyweight 300 GSM sheet has that substantial, card-stock-like feel that photographers love. Thickness is often listed in mil—one mil is one-thousandth of an inch—and thicker papers resist curling and bending.

Check your ink type

Most home inkjet printers use dye-based ink, which soaks into the paper coating and dries quickly, making it ideal for glossy and luster finishes. Pigment-based ink sits more on the surface and needs a coating that can absorb it—so always check that the paper explicitly supports pigment ink if your printer uses it. Some papers list specific compatible printer models, which is the fastest way to guarantee a smooth feed.

Quick Comparison

Model Best For Finish Sheet Count Weight Amazon
CanonInk Photo Paper Plus Glossy II★ Best Overall Vibrant glossy prints with Canon printers Glossy 20 Sheets 2.4 pounds Amazon
Canon Photo Paper Pro PlatinumSuper Gloss Professional-grade super gloss Glossy 10 Sheets 300 gsm Amazon
A-SUB RC High GlossyPro Gloss Sharp, smudge-free glossy prints Glossy 50 Sheets 66 lb Amazon
PPD Pearl Luster Satin Premium satin with instant dry Satin 50 Sheets 255 gsm Amazon
Epson Ultra Premium Luster Pro-level luster for portraits Satin 50 Sheets 5.5 pounds Amazon
Epson Velvet Fine Art Museum-quality matte art prints Matte 20 Sheets 2.2 pounds Amazon
Koala Glossy Thick Budget bulk glossy for crafts Glossy 100 Sheets 54 lb Amazon
Koala Luster Resin Coated Fingerprint-resistant soft gloss Soft Gloss 50 Sheets 66 lb Amazon
Goefun Matte 54 LB Glare-free matte on a budget Matte 100 Sheets 54 lb Amazon

In‑Depth Reviews

★ Best Overall

1. CanonInk Photo Paper Plus Glossy II 13″ x 19″ 20 Sheets

Our pick — over 4.5★ from 850+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.

Glossy Finish20 Sheets

The crowd favorite for glossy prints—vibrant, smudge-resistant, and sized for Canon’s photo printers.

The paper quality here is what wins people over, and it shows in the rich, accurate colors and clear deep blacks that come off the surface. That glossy finish adds a depth and professional look that resists smudges and fingerprints, so framed art prints and exhibition pieces stay clean.

It’s a heavyweight sheet that feels premium in hand, and it’s biodegradable to boot. Compared to the 100-sheet Koala pack that costs about the same, this 20-sheet set is far more expensive per print—but the color accuracy and dependable feed make it the smarter choice for prints that matter.

Buyers report “excellent print quality, vibrant colors, accurate saturation,” and it works great even on non-Canon large-format printers. The one recurring note is that it pairs best with Canon PIXMA models like the iP8720 and PRO-100, so check your printer model before you commit.

What Shines

  • Rich, vibrant colors with deep blacks
  • Smudge and fingerprint resistant
  • Heavyweight premium feel

What to Know

  • Only 20 sheets per pack
  • Best results on Canon PIXMA printers

Reach for this if: you want dependable, gallery-quality glossy prints from a Canon printer without hunting for settings.

Look elsewhere if: you need a large volume of sheets for crafts or test prints—this pack runs out fast.

Super Gloss

2. Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum 13 x 19 Inches, 10 Sheets

300 gsm10 Sheets

A heavyweight super-gloss sheet that makes photos “shine” with a true professional-grade wow factor.

This is the paper that makes landscape photos come alive—deep natural tones, a high-gloss finish, and highlights that hold their detail instead of burning out. The 300 gsm weight and 10.2 mil thickness give it that substantial, card-stock feel you can immediately trust for framing or selling your prints.

Owners say, “You haven’t really seen your photos shine until you’ve printed them.” The honest trade-off is the 10-sheet count—at roughly the same price as the 20-sheet Glossy II above, you pay a clear premium per sheet for the top-tier coating.

It pairs outstandingly with genuine Canon inks on PIXMA models like the Pro-200 and iX 6820, and a professional photographer reports excellent colors, contrast, and sharpness on their Pro 200. Owners mention the value is mixed at this price point, so reserve it for your hero shots.

True Showpiece: The highest-gloss, heaviest Canon sheet in this list—meant for prints you’ll frame, display, or sell, not for everyday snapshots.

Pro Gloss

3. A-SUB RC Photo Paper High Glossy 13×19 Inch, 66lb, 50 Sheets

Glossy Finish50 Sheets

Sharp, smudge-free gloss that stays flat—a pro-grade resin-coated sheet for weddings and fine art.

The resin-coated layer here is the star—ink dries quickly with no smearing, and the printed image comes out sharp and crisp with outstanding color gradation. The 66 lb weight gives it enough substance to stay flat through the printer, which is exactly what you need for gallery displays and portrait prints.

What really separates it is the waterproof layer—you don’t need to laminate these prints to protect them. Compared to the Canon Glossy II with its 20-sheet count, this 50-sheet pack gives you more than twice the paper for a similar outlay, making it the smarter buy for volume glossy work.

It works beautifully with dye-based Eco Tank printers, and the paper quality earns consistent praise. The one thing to remember is that it’s single-sided with a watermark-free back, so only the glossy side is meant for printing.

Workhorse Gloss: Professional-quality color with the durability and sheet count to handle studios, galleries, and wedding shoots while staying affordable.

Instant Dry

4. PPD 50 Sheets 13×19″ Photo Paper Pearl Luster Satin

Satin Finish255 gsm

A premium satin sheet with instant-dry nanoporous tech—smudge-proof and built for long-lasting color.

The 255 gsm weight and 10.5 mil thickness give this paper a substantial, high-end feel that resists bending and tearing. The nanoporous receiving layer is the real magic though—it makes prints dry instantly, preventing smudging and reducing fading over time.

This satin finish with a pearl luster sits between glossy and matte—a soft sheen that resists fingerprints and virtually eliminates glare, so it suits portraiture, art reproductions, and gallery work. The no-watermark surfaces on both sides keep presentations and keepsakes looking clean.

It accepts both dye-based and pigment-based inks across any inkjet printer, making it among the most versatile sheets here. The recurring praise is the “super premium satin semi-gloss finish,” though the color quality draws mixed feedback—some report vivid colors while others see fading, so keep prints out of direct sun.

Premium Balanced Surface: Heavy, instant-dry, and fingerprint-resistant—the best middle-ground finish for professionals who hate glare but want more depth than matte.

Portrait Pro

5. Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper LUSTER 13×19 Inches, 50 Sheets

Satin Finish50 Sheets

The luster paper wedding and portrait photographers traditionally rely on—instant drying, rich blacks, zero glare.

This is the same type of luster paper traditionally used by wedding, portrait, and fine-art photographers, and it delivers accurate colors with rich, bold blacks for vivid, lifelike images. The luster finish prevents glare and bright reflections, so prints look great under any lighting without that harsh glossy shine.

Instant drying is the headline feature here—prints come out and are ready to handle immediately, with a heavy professional feel that smudge-free handling. Compared to the PPD satin above, this Epson sheet is the more established choice for Epson printers, with one owner noting it “just works” on an R3000 with no ICC profiles needed.

The paper quality and print quality are the most-praised aspects by a wide margin, and owners love how photos “jump from the paper.” Be aware that this paper demands high-resolution source images—filtered or low-quality photos will show their flaws.

Trusted Pro Choice: A glare-free luster surface with instant dry and deep blacks—the dependable pick for portrait and fine-art photographers on Epson printers.

Fine Art

6. Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper S041637, 13 x 19, 20 Sheets

Matte Finish20 Sheets

Museum-quality matte made from 100% cotton rag—a watercolor-like texture for fine art and archival prints.

This is the paper that looks like watercolor and feels like a museum piece—100% cotton rag for archivability, with an acid-free base that preserves fine art and photos. The bright white surface reproduces colors vividly, and the velvet matte finish delivers a beautiful, glare-free texture.

The most-praised qualities are the paper quality and the crisp details it produces, with colors that some say come out nearly better than the original. It’s a thick sheet that prints well on models like the Epson ET-2800 and Canon G6000, but that substantial weight is also the catch—it’s too thick for some printers like the Konica Minolta.

Owners love the “cream color” of the velvet surface, though some wish a white option existed, and one recurring note is that identifying the printable side can be tricky since the paper has no obvious markers. This is a premium pick for art reproductions and fine-art prints, not everyday snapshots.

Best for: artists and photographers who want watercolor-textured, archival matte prints for exhibitions and galleries.

Consider this first: the thick cotton sheet won’t feed through every printer—verify yours handles heavyweight paper before buying.

Budget Bulk

7. Koala Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper Thick 13X19 Inches, 100 Sheets, 54lb

Glossy Finish100 Sheets

A 100-sheet glossy workhorse that delivers vibrant, quick-drying prints for crafts and party favors.

This is the volume play—100 sheets of thick 200 gsm (54 lb) glossy paper that produces “vibrant sharp colors with dye ink, no smudging, jams, or streaking” and a professional feel. The single-sided white glossy finish has good ink absorption, restoring brilliant color to photos, arts, and other projects.

Owners love its versatility for party favors, cake tops, and crafts, plus its quick-drying, no-jam reliability on regular printers. The value is outstanding—you get ten times the sheets of the Canon Glossy II above (100 sheets vs. 20) for a modest step up in price.

There’s one honest limitation: it’s incompatible with pigment-only printers (like the PGBK models), so you need dye ink and the correct glossy photo settings. The thickness also draws mixed feedback, so it’s a solid everyday sheet rather than a heavyweight premium one.

Why It Wins

  • 100 sheets—the best volume here
  • Quick-drying with no jams or smudging
  • Vibrant colors with dye ink

Watch For

  • Won’t work with pigment-only printers
  • Thickness feels mid-weight, not premium

Reach for this if: you’re printing crafts, party favors, or fliers in volume and want vibrant gloss without watching sheet counts.

Look elsewhere if: your printer uses pigment-based ink only—this sheet needs dye ink to shine.

Soft Gloss

8. Koala Photo Paper Resin Coated 13×19 Inch Luster, 66lb, 50 Sheets

Soft Gloss50 Sheets

A luster sheet that resists fingerprints and glare—flat, resin-coated, and ready for portraits and wedding photos.

The special microporous coating here gives excellent ink absorption and color reproduction, which is what owners with high standards for photo projects love. The luster finish provides an elegant surface that resists fingerprints and virtually eliminates glare, making it perfect for portraiture, artworks, and wedding photos.

This 13×19 series is flat without any curling, which means a smooth, low-maintenance feed through the printer, and there are no watermarks on the back. The resin-coated layer adds extra protection to your projects and makes them last longer than standard paper.

The paper quality and value for money are the most-praised aspects, with owners noting prints come out dry and work exceptionally well with Epson Eco Tank printers. The catch is the packaging—it ships without a hard protective sheet, so occasional wrinkling in transit is a real concern to watch when it arrives.

Balanced Luster Value: Fingerprint-resistant soft gloss with vivid colors—a dependable mid-range choice for portraits when you want less glare than glossy.

Budget Matte

9. Goefun 13×19 Matte Photo Paper, 54 LB, 100 Sheets

Matte Finish100 Sheets

A 100-sheet matte bundle made from FSC-certified paper—glare-free, fast-drying, and scratch-resistant for posters and menus.

This is the budget-friendly matte option—100 sheets of 13×19 paper at 200 GSM (54 lb) with a 9 mil thickness, all in perfect size. The base paper is FSC-certified, and the matte finish reduces glare while delivering clear details and vibrant colors, ideal for large posters, art prints, wedding photos, and menus.

Compared to the Koala Glossy pack above at the same sheet count, this is the matte counterpart—fast-drying, smudge-free, scratch-resistant, and with a waterproof surface for long-lasting prints. The back side is free of watermarks or logos and is suitable for writing, which is handy for notes or signatures.

The honest trade-off is the finish itself: some owners love the “excellent matte finish” and vivid colors, while others report prints come out dark and saturated—one owner found it thinner than cardstock and better for text than photos. The key tip from owners is to use the “high resolution” paper setting rather than the “matte” setting on your printer.

Reach for this if: you want a large volume of glare-free matte sheets for posters, menus, or wedding table numbers on a budget.

Look elsewhere if: accurate photo color is your top priority—the matte finish can darken prints, and glossy handles photos better.

Understanding the Specs

Paper Finish

The finish is the single biggest factor in how your print looks. Glossy gives the most vibrant colors and deepest blacks but shows glare and fingerprints. Matte kills glare entirely and feels smooth, ideal for wall art in bright rooms. Luster and satin sit in the middle—a soft sheen that resists fingerprints without the harsh reflections, which is why portrait photographers favor them.

Weight (GSM and LB)

Weight tells you how thick and durable the sheet is. Higher GSM (grams per square meter) or LB (pounds) means a sturdier, more premium feel that stays flat and resists bending. A 200 GSM sheet is good for posters and crafts, while 255–300 GSM sheets have that substantial card-stock feel photographers and fine-art printers prefer.

FAQ

What is the difference between glossy, matte, and luster photo paper?
Glossy paper has a shiny, reflective surface that produces the most vibrant colors and deepest blacks but shows glare and fingerprints. Matte paper has a flat, non-reflective finish that kills glare and feels smooth to the touch, making it ideal for art prints and wall art in bright rooms. Luster (or satin) sits between the two—it has a subtle texture and soft sheen that resists fingerprints and reduces glare while still delivering rich colors, which is why portrait photographers favor it.
Will 13×19 photo paper fit my printer?
13×19 paper requires a printer that supports this size, which is often called “Super B” or “A3+” paper. Most consumer printers only handle up to 8.5×11 or 8.5×14, so check your printer’s specifications for maximum paper size. Many of the papers above list compatible models like the Canon PIXMA iP8720, PRO-100, or Epson ET-2800, which is the fastest way to confirm a match.
Can I use pigment ink on any 13×19 photo paper?
No—pigment ink needs a paper coating that can absorb it properly. Some papers like the PPD Pearl Luster Satin explicitly state they accommodate both dye-based and pigment-based inks. Others, like the Koala Glossy Thick pack, are incompatible with pigment-only printers and work best with dye ink. Always check the paper’s compatibility notes before buying if your printer uses pigment ink.
What does the GSM rating mean for photo paper?
GSM stands for grams per square meter, and it measures how heavy and thick the paper is. Higher GSM numbers mean a sturdier, more substantial sheet that stays flat and resists bending. A 200 GSM sheet is good for posters and everyday prints, while 255–300 GSM sheets have that premium, card-stock-like feel that professionals prefer for framing and selling prints.
Is thicker photo paper always better?
Thicker paper generally feels more premium and resists curling and bending, which is why photographers favor heavyweight sheets. But thickness is a trade-off—very thick paper like the Epson Velvet Fine Art cotton rag can be too thick for some printers like the Konica Minolta, causing feeding problems. Check that your printer handles heavyweight paper before choosing the thickest option.
Why are my glossy photo prints coming out dark?
Dark prints usually come from a mismatch between the paper setting and the actual paper finish. Owners of the Goefun matte pack found that using the “high resolution” paper setting instead of the “matte” setting produced true-to-color results. Every paper has an ideal printer setting, so experiment with the paper type options in your printer driver to match the finish you’re using.
How many sheets should I buy for my project?
It depends on what you’re printing. For premium showpiece prints like framed gallery work, a 10-sheet pack like the Canon Pro Platinum gives you the highest quality per sheet. For volume projects like crafts, party favors, or fliers, a 100-sheet pack like the Koala Glossy or Goefun Matte gives you the best cost per sheet. If you’re unsure, start with a smaller pack to test your printer settings before committing to a large bundle.
How should I store unused 13×19 photo paper?
Keep unused photo paper flat in its original packaging or a protective sleeve, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Several owners noted that papers shipped in floppy packages without hard backing can arrive wrinkled, so store them flat between rigid boards to keep the sheets from curling or bending before you print.
Can I print on both sides of 13×19 photo paper?
Most 13×19 photo papers are single-sided, meaning only one side has the special coating that produces vibrant photo prints. Some papers like the PPD Pearl Luster Satin have no watermarks on either side, but the coated printing side is still the one meant for photos. Always check the product’s specifications—the A-SUB and Koala papers explicitly state they are single-sided, with only the glossy or coated side as the printing surface.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

For most people, the best 13×19 photo paper winner is the CanonInk Photo Paper Plus Glossy II because it combines vibrant, accurate colors with a heavyweight professional feel and a smudge-resistant glossy finish that owners consistently praise. If you want richer, more print-quality colors and don’t mind a smaller sheet count, grab the Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum. And for a budget-friendly volume with vibrant glossy results, the Koala Glossy Thick 100-sheet pack is the one to reach for.

How We Picked

We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.

Sources & Methodology

Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.

As an Amazon Associate, Gadgets Feed earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.

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