What is Baryta Paper?

Baryta is a popular paper choice for many photographers, but what is it about Baryta paper that makes it a firm favourite of so many?

What is Baryta photo paper?

Baryta papers are a special type of photo paper and were developed to replicate the traditional manufacture of analogue darkroom papers. 

All baryta inkjet papers are fibre-based, and contain a special coating of barium sulphate. Cotton rag and alpha-cellulose are the two main materials used by Baryta inkjet papers.

They were initially developed to mimic darkroom prints primarily by printing B&W digital images, as silver prints are still sought by artists despite using digital cameras and inkjet printers.

Why should I use a baryta photo paper?

The weight, texture, and finish of different Baryta papers will vary. However, all the papers have some characteristics that set them apart from other types of paper and make them popular.

Baryta papers all have some sheen to them, but while some are designed to be very bright, others may have a warmer tone. Generally, photographers prefer baryta for a few reasons, including:

1. They’re great for black and white prints
   Baryta Giclée papers tend to have a slightly higher DMAX, meaning they are able to print deeper blacks and produce brighter highlights. This excellent black density makes Baryta paper ideal for black and white images.
   That being said, it’s also very popular for producing colour prints, as it has a wide colour gamut and the bright white undertones can really help to bring colours to life.
   
   
2. Thickness & Weight
   For photographers who are looking for fine art results, they need a certain amount of weight and thickness, and most resin-coated fine art papers cannot provide the density or colour gamut they need.

   Due to their fiber basis, you get the weight and feel you need while achieving images with impressive density and colour gamut.
   
   

3. Excellent archival properties
   A baryta paper not only looks great,when used with pigment inks, it can also produce long lasting archival prints that can last hundreds of years.
   Resin-coated papers are more easily damaged than fibre-based papers and last only around 50 years.

Should I use a baryta photo paper?

There is no right or wrong paper to use - it all comes down to personal preference.

For photographic images, baryta papers are excellent for fine art prints. Baryta papers are luxurious thick cotton or fibre papers with a semi-glossy surface.

Use Baryta papers if you want to enhance the details and definition of your images. Besides its excellent archival properties, it has extended tonal range and is especially suitable for images that require high contrast and wide colour gamut. If you are after the look and feel of an analogue darkroom print, this heavy weight paper is the paper for you!

Baryta paper is highly appreciated by Fine Art exhibitions, museums and art galleries as it offers excellent print longevity.

Why not try?

• Hahnemühle Baryta FB 350gsm
  A high gloss, fibre based baryta paper with an ultra smooth surface texture. Perfect for high impact black & white portraiture and landscape prints.
• TOP PICK: Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta 315gsm
  With a photographic baryta coating, Photo Rag is a lustrous soft-touch cotton paper that looks and feels like classic darkroom paper.
  
  
• Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta 325gsm
  A slightly more textured darkroom alternative paper with rich, deep blacks. Exceptionally high density and finest grey tones.