How to Choose the Best Print Finish: Matte, Gloss or Satin?
A Guide to Print Finishes — Inside the Bella Leaf Studio Process
There’s something special about a fine‑art print. It isn’t just the artwork itself — it’s the texture, the depth, the way the paper catches the light, and the feeling that it was made with intention.
At Bella Leaf Studio, every print begins long before it reaches the paper. It starts with a choice: which finish will bring this artwork to life?
This guide takes you behind the scenes of our studio and explains the print finishes we use, why we use them, and how they elevate your artwork.
Why Print Finish Matters
A print finish isn’t just a surface — it’s part of the artwork’s personality.
The right finish can make colours feel richer, shadows softer, details sharper, or textures more expressive. It can make a wildlife piece feel velvety and organic, or a coastal print feel clean and luminous.
Because every artwork has its own mood, we choose finishes intentionally, pairing each piece with the paper that enhances it best.
Our Papers: Premium Fine Art Stocks (Minimum 250gsm)
Every Bella Leaf Studio print is produced on premium fine‑art papers, all a minimum of 250gsm for a beautifully substantial, gallery‑grade feel. We primarily use Marrutt fine‑art papers, chosen for their exceptional colour performance, archival stability and the way they elevate pigment‑ink artwork.
We offer three professional finishes, each chosen for how they enhance different styles of artwork.
Archival Matte (250–300gsm)
Soft, velvety, expressive
Archival Matte is our most tactile, painterly finish. It has a subtle texture that gives artwork a gentle, organic feel — perfect for wildlife, abstracts, coastal pieces and anything with soft tonal transitions.
Why we love it:
- Minimum 250gsm for a premium, substantial feel
- Zero glare, even in bright rooms
- Rich depth and detail
- A refined, gallery‑style finish
- Beautiful pairing with pigment inks
Matte is the finish we reach for when we want artwork to feel calm, timeless and expressive.
Here's a customer print showcasing perfect combination of Matte paper and Pigment Ink:
Satin (Lustre) (250–300gsm) *Studio favourite!*
Clean, modern, luminous
Satin — sometimes called lustre — has a smooth surface with a soft, elegant sheen. It’s not glossy, but gently reflective, giving artwork a crisp, modern look. This finish is ideal for maps, sports artwork, travel pieces and anything with strong contrast or fine detail.
Why we love it:
- Minimum 250gsm for durability and richness
- Colours appear bright and punchy
- Excellent sharpness for line work
- A contemporary, interior‑friendly finish
- Resistant to fingerprints and handling
Satin is the perfect balance between matte subtlety and gloss vibrancy.
Customer order printed in Satin:
Premium Gloss (250–300gsm)
Bold, vibrant, high‑impact
Premium Gloss is our most striking finish. It delivers intense colour, deep blacks and a polished, high‑definition look. This finish is ideal for bold artwork, high‑contrast pieces, sports prints, motorsport, and anything designed to make a statement.
Why we love it:
- Maximum vibrancy and contrast
- Deep, rich blacks
- Smooth, reflective surface
- A premium, high‑impact finish
- Perfect for modern, dramatic artwork
Gloss is the finish to choose when you want your print to feel vivid, sharp and full of energy.
A2 Framed Triptych in Premium Gloss finish:
A2 Boston Stadium Print in Gloss:
Archival Pigment Inks — The Heart of Every Print
Every print is produced using Epson SC‑P900 archival pigment inks, known for their exceptional colour accuracy and longevity. Pigment inks sit on the surface of the paper rather than soaking in, which means:
- Colours stay vibrant for decades
- Blacks are deep and rich
- Fine details remain crisp
- The artwork resists fading over time
Combined with Marrutt papers, this creates a true fine‑art finish — the kind you’d expect in a gallery, not a mass‑produced poster.
How We Choose the Right Finish for Each Artwork
In the studio, choosing a finish is part of the creative process. We test each artwork on matte, satin and gloss papers, looking at:
- How the colours behave
- How the texture complements the subject
- How the print feels in natural light
- Whether the finish enhances or distracts
Some pieces instantly “belong” on matte. Others come alive on satin or gloss.
We let the artwork decide but sometimes it is as simple as personal preference!
A Print Made Just for You
Every Bella Leaf Studio print is produced to order — not pulled from a shelf.
Your artwork is printed, inspected, trimmed and packaged by hand, ensuring the finish you choose looks exactly as it should.
Print finishes aren’t just technical details. They’re part of the story of your artwork, and we’re proud to share that story with you.