Art Portfolio Printing: Glossy vs Matte Technical Analysis
Introduction
For a designer or artist, the portfolio is the terminal artifact of their creative process. Whether applying to NID, NIFT, or global design firms, the physical fidelity of the printed portfolio determines the professional weight of the candidate. A technical mismatch in coating—vibrant illustrations on dull bond paper—can significantly diminish the impact of the work.
This guide provides a technical analysis of "Art Substrates" (Coated vs. Uncoated) and color production standards for creative portfolios.
1. The Physics of Gloss vs. Matte
The coating on art paper determines how ink interact with the surface and how light reflects back to the viewer.
| Material Finish | Technical Property | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| High-Gloss (Cast Coated) | High Light-Reflectance; Saturated Colors | Photography & Fashion Lookbooks |
| Satin/Silk Matte | Low Glare; Fingerprint Resistant | Illustration & Graphic Design |
| Textured Canvas Paper | High Friction; Fiber-Rich | Digital Paintings & Fine Art Repros |
2. Grammage Benchmarks: 170 GSM to 300 GSM
Standard office paper (75-100 GSM) lacks the rigidity required for a professional portfolio.
Production Benchmarks:
- 170 GSM Art Paper: The baseline for high-quality internal pages. Provides a "bookstore-quality" feel without being too bulky.
- 300 GSM Art Board: Mandatory for cover pages. Supports heavy ink coverage and the mechanical stress of binding hinges.
3. Color Gamut Efficiency
Art portfolios often utilize high-saturation "neon" colors or deep skin tones that fall outside the standard CMYK web offset gamut.
- Wide-Gamut Digital Production: OnlinePrintout uses digital laser technology that supports an expanded color space, capturing 98% of the Pantone Solid Coated range.
- Full-Bleed Trimming: Every design portfolio is printed on oversized sheets and "guillotined" to size. This eliminates white borders, allowing your artwork to flow off the edge of the page.
Conclusion
Selecting the right substrate finish and grammage is a functional requirement of portfolio production. By adhering to the 170 GSM Satin/Matte benchmark, design students ensure their visual work is represented with professional clarity and archival durability.