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What is difference between satin and semi gloss


What's the Difference Between Satin and Semi-Gloss Paint?

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Choosing the right paint sheen for your home can make the difference between a good looking room and a great looking room. Paint sheens range from a high gloss to a completely flat with no shine. But how do you know which to choose? What works best and in what type of room? Here’s our guide to semi-gloss vs. satin paint to try and demystify home decorating.

Satin vs. Semi-Gloss

Once you’ve picked the right sheen for your room, it’s time to consider the paint color. Matte or flat, gloss, or satin? It’s difficult to make that decision unless you know a little bit about what each of these paint sheens is and how it can affect the look of your room.

What is satin paint? Satin is an oil or latex-based paint that’s not as glossy as a full gloss but still has light-reflective qualities, unlike matte paint. What about semi-gloss paint? Semi-gloss is almost the same, but has more reflective qualities than satin paint, and can be slightly more durable.

In general, the glossier the paint, the more durable it is, although some paints are designed specifically to be very durable, regardless of sheen. So, glossier paints are great for high traffic areas, or places where they may need to be cleaned frequently- like the kids’ bedroom or the kitchen.

Satin vs. Eggshell

Another paint sheen you might come across when choosing the right paint sheen for your room is eggshell. Here are the key points when considering eggshell vs. satin:

– Eggshell is not as reflective as satin.

– Satin paint tends to be more durable than an eggshell paint.

– Bumps and imperfections in the wall surface might be covered better by eggshell vs. satin paint.

Satin vs. Matte

Matte paint or flat paint is paint with no reflective qualities whatsoever. Matte paint can still have very rich, deep colors in all shades, but it’s designed specifically not to be glossy at all. Matte vs. satin key points:

– Matte paint flattens a wall by absorbing light which hides imperfections.

– Matte paint comes in the same shade as gloss.

Where to Use Semi-Gloss Paint

Semi-gloss paint is more durable and as such, ideal for any rooms which encounter:

– Moisture

– Drips

– Grease

– Dirt

If you’ve just had a modern bathroom installed, you’ll want to keep it looking clean and bright. Semi-gloss paint stands up to regular cleaning, and the higher-quality brands can even withstand scrubbing when stubborn stains become a problem.

Kitchens are another place where semi-gloss paint comes into its own. Anyone who cooks knows how easy it is to get grease stains and sauce splashes up the walls- especially if you’re running around after children at the same time. Semi-gloss paint allows you to clean these without the worry that the paint is going to come off along with the dirt.

Where to Use Satin Paint

Satin finish paint is great for rooms with large walls, as it draws the eye away from any imperfections- almost inevitable in all except the newest buildings. Holes that have been filled or patched up immediately become flatter and less noticeable under satin paint, yet satin paint is more durable than matte paint- especially if you spend the money on a high-quality brand of satin paint.

If you are painting large expanses of a wall in a family home, look out for satin paint with low VOC. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, and the higher the VOC, the more you’ll get that “fresh paint” smell that hangs around for days- not great when you have kids, pets, or are expecting guests.

Combining Satin and Semi-Gloss Paint

Of course, there’s no need to stick to just one paint sheen. The more adventurous home decorator will recognize that they can use these differing sheens to great effect within the same room. It’s quite common to paint a large expanse of wall with satin paint, for a little reflectivity, then use the semi-gloss to highlight features and accents. Door frames, moldings, and other architectural points of interest can all be made more eye-catching with a lick of semi-gloss paint.

A high-quality, durable satin paint could be ideal for the kids’ bedroom, as it allows dirty fingerprints and other stains to be scrubbed off, but it’s not as reflective as semi-gloss, so it can make the room seem calmer and more relaxed. For a playroom, though, semi-gloss gives the peace of mind of extra durability, standing up to dings and abuse, and the scrubbing necessary when the kids have gone nuts with the crayons. The reflective semi-gloss paint can make even a small playroom seem bright and welcoming.

Consider using full gloss to highlight the features in a room you’ve painted with semi-gloss, or combine satin and matte for the same effect but with a lower rate of reflection all around. Remember, the exact same shade of color in semi-gloss may appear darker than in satin. If you’re unsure how the colors are going to work together, patch test before committing to painting your whole room.

What About Cost?

The cost of the right paint tends to be more about the brand and quality than the level of gloss. As a general rule, the glossier the paint is, the more expensive it will be, but this will equate to only a few cents difference per gallon. But you will pay more for a highly durable, guaranteed paint by a reputable brand than you will for a budget paint, even of the same color and glossiness.

Working with different paint sheens is a great way to bring any room to life. Satin paint is a little cheaper, which is great as it works well over larger areas. Semi-gloss may cost a little more but is more durable and perfect for accents and features- and for keeping your home looking fresh and clean.

Takeaway: When it comes to satin vs. gloss paint, it’s all about knowing where you need to use the paint and the look you’re going for. Satin may absorb more light and hide imperfections in the wall’s surface. Semi-gloss reflects more light, which may create the illusion of space. Semi-gloss paint can also be more durable.

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Satin vs Semi-Gloss: Choosing the Right Paint Finish for Your Project

Photo: unsplash.com via Bente Whyatt

When you’re choosing fresh paint for your walls or wooden furniture, after color, the next big decision to be made is that of sheen. Two middle-of-the-road options for paint finish—satin and semi-gloss—are quite popular for being neither too shiny nor too matte. In fact, telling them apart can get somewhat tricky.

Both finishes are available in traditional oil-based paints and modern latex paints alike. Both are options for cans of paint as well as cans of paint-and-primer combos. The two types of finishes can be found in special latex paints with low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) versions.  The subtle differences between the two can make one distinctly better fit for your project than another.

RELATED: All You Need to Know About Paint Types

Read on to see these two popular paint finishes go head to head, satin vs semi-gloss. The following key comparisons can aid you in choosing the one that best suits your next paint project.

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Most notably, semi-gloss has more sheen than satin.

The types of finishes you’ll likely find in most paint collections—ranging from most to least reflective—are glossy/high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell, and flat/matte. Semi-gloss is slightly higher on the scale than satin and, thus, promises a little more reflectivity.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Semi-gloss’s extra sheen may change how your paint color looks on the wall.

While both finishes have a hint of sheen, more light from your lamps or the room’s uncovered windows will bounce off of semi-gloss surface than a satin surface (which actually absorbs some additional light instead). As a result of the way light reflects, the same paint color may appear slightly darker in a semi-gloss finish and slightly lighter in a satin one. So, factor that in when you’re making your final decision about which paint finish to use.

Semi-gloss is more durable and easier to clean.

The higher the gloss, the easier the cleanup of messes like fingerprints and smudges. For objects and areas that get a lot of use and therefore require frequent wipe-downs—bathrooms, kitchens, playrooms, kids’ bedrooms, and any other area children may feel tempted to draw on walls with Crayola—semi-gloss is often the wiser option. Because the surface is slicker, it’s more resistant to moisture and easier to go over with a damp cloth or special sprays designed for minor household disasters. (Either semi-gloss or satin finish, though, beats out their eggshell and flat/matte finishes for durability.)

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Semi-gloss better draws the eye to architectural elements.

Generally speaking, cleaning needs aside, satin is the default choice for many do-it-yourselfers refreshing interior walls and furniture, while smaller doses of semi-gloss highlight home features: cabinetry, mantels, stair railing, window trim, door casings, and crown molding. Even if you apply the same color in two different sheens in a room—satin to the walls and semi-gloss to the trim—the reflection will make the craftsmanship of the molding pop.

Satin is more forgiving of pre-existing imperfections than semi-gloss.

If you’ve got dings and dents in your walls, your cabinets, or your soon-to-be-painted dresser, the reflective nature of semi-gloss will only draw more attention to every flaw. A satin finish is more flattering over pocks, divots, and scrapes since it draws the light in and tricks the eye into seeing a more even surface. So, if you want to deflect attention away from faults and blemishes without spending hours sanding them away, satin is the way to go.

The cost between the two is negligible, but you may pay a few cents less on the dollar for satin.

Generally speaking, the more gloss a paint offers, the more it will cost. Semi-gloss paint is manufactured with more binders (resins responsible for sheen) than satin paint in order to deliver the reflection and durability for which it’s known. So, if you’re looking to a little bit of money repainting walls throughout the whole home, satin is the most budget-worthy option of the two that still offers a hint of sheen.

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How to choose the right photo paper?

Various factors affect the image quality of photo printing. It requires not only preliminary preparation of the image or a working printer, but also paper that quickly absorbs ink. Special photo paper is used for printing photos, business cards, calendars and other products.

The most popular photo paper types are matte and glossy. Regular users are familiar with these terms. However, there are "transitional" varieties. All of them will be discussed below. They combine the advantages of glossy and matte photography in varying proportions. They differ in touch, as well as in the properties of transferring color and image details.

Gloss

Gloss paper has a smooth and slippery surface. Often sheets are used to create photo albums. According to professional photographers, gloss is better at conveying bright colors in a picture, but at the same time it is relatively cheap. Additional benefits include:

Glossy photo paper for home printing.

Super Gloss

Super Gloss has a smooth surface with excellent color reproduction. Finished photos are more saturated than regular gloss. It is recommended to use photo paper for printing bright pictures with an abundance of different colors. Super gloss is more expensive than gloss.

Semi-gloss

Semi-gloss has a smooth finish. Users refer to this type as a "transition" between glossy and matte paper. Semi-gloss benefits include:

Like other types of gloss, the semi-gloss has a glare. Glitter is considered a distinctive feature and is liked by many buyers. But often, because of the light, it is impossible to see the glare fragment.

Matt

Matt sheets are available with a rough surface. The tones are slightly muted, even if the picture has been pre-printed. The main advantage is detail. On matte paper, it is easier to see the smallest details of the picture.

Compatible with any type of paint. Buyers make the choice in favor of a smooth or rough surface based on their own preferences.

Silky Matte

Silky Matte paper has a rough feel, just like plain matte paper. However, colors are much better. It can be compared to semi-gloss in quality. It is protected from mechanical damage and has no reflection. The carrier is compatible with any type of paint. It has good ink absorption, so there is no risk of streaks during printing.

Satin

Satin photo paper is also called satin or canvas. It is also considered a type of matte paper. But the surface is less textured, and the colors are more vibrant. Printing on satin photo paper requires mandatory color correction, otherwise the picture will turn out to be dimmer than on the monitor screen. Satin paper does not scratch or glare. Compatible with any type of ink. Often costs less than gloss.

Photo Paper Specifications

Most buyers rely on their own taste when selecting photo paper by type of finish. But there are also universal characteristics that will tell more about the quality of the paper. They are indicated in the product card. This will help you understand why the price differs and what makes each item special.

There are 3 main selection criteria:

As an example, additional properties of photographic paper will be discussed below.

Density

Good color photo media is made up of 7 layers, each with its own purpose. The buyer does not need to know why each layer is required. Pictures quickly absorb paint and do not allow it to spread, they are clear and not blurry. And also for a long time will remain unchanged.

Important! Not all standard printers work with photo paper due to its thickness. Please read the manual for your printer before purchasing.

Density is measured in grams per square meter (g/m2). Ordinary office paper is produced with a density of up to 80-100 g/m2. The density of photo paper starts from 90 g/m2.

Resolution

Resolution - the ability of paper to convey image detail. You can only see the difference after printing.

Measures resolution in dots per inch (dpi). For cheap photo paper with a low density (150 g/m2), as well as for good office paper, the resolution is about the same - up to 2800 dpi. High-quality sheets have a resolution of more than 5000 dpi.

Size

You can buy photo paper in Minsk taking into account the format. It is more economical to buy packs of A4 format for 50-100 sheets. But if the photo is printed for the album, the sheet will have to be cut by yourself. For such cases, ready-made sets are sold with a standard A6 (10x15) size for a photo. Other formats are also sold, but they are less in demand.

Additional properties

Photo paper has a number of properties that are rarely listed on the website. They affect the quality of the finished image to a lesser extent.

Help! The list of additional properties is incomplete. The most interesting points that are found in the product description are listed.

Product selection by printer type

You can print a beautiful photo on a laser and inkjet printer. In both cases, glossy or matte sheets of different densities are used. The product card indicates which device it is suitable for. Sometimes the instructions for the printer give recommendations for printing photos. Including specifications of suitable photo paper.

Lomond glossy and semi-glossy photographic papers: a review by photographer Alexandra Manovtseva

For the test of glossy papers, I chose my exhibition project Natasha Rostova's First Ball, which we filmed together with the Shchuka design bureau.

This project was filmed on the initiative of Nikolai Kanavin, Chairman of the Board of ProLab. Especially for the presentation of a new type of Fujiflex photo paper that appeared at that time, we came up with a story that emphasizes the advantages of this paper: contrast and richness of color, a glossy finish reminiscent of plasticization.

It is my firm belief that to create a holistic perception of each individual project, you need to choose your own printing method and type of paper that matches its style and mood. In this case, the opposite situation turned out: we came up with a “glossy”, “juicy” project for the selected type of paper. Each photo illustrates a quote we have chosen from War and Peace.

I found it interesting to compare printing on Fujiflex with Lomond glossy papers.

I don't often print on glossy paper, but there are some photos where gloss works much better than matte paper. With the right color correction and paper type, the colors are juicy, bright. In addition, on glossy surfaces, in contrast to matte papers, the effect of image depth visually appears. In my opinion, plots in which rich, open color plays an important role will look good on gloss. These can be "glossy" scenes - fashion and advertising shootings, nature, scenes with water turn out beautifully, shots in which glare surfaces are shot.

Of course, we need to take into account the peculiarities of glossy papers: when viewing glossy paper, it reflects the light falling on it, glares from different angles, and when viewing photos, we involuntarily look for an angle that allows us to avoid glare. Therefore, when choosing paper, it is important to focus on the intended viewing conditions. If the prints are hanging in a room with bright light, the gloss may glare - then it is better to choose matte or semi-matte paper. If there is diffused light in the room, then the gloss will look good. If you are printing photographs that will be shown as a portfolio, you must also take into account the fact that fingerprints may remain on the gloss. Therefore, I printed my works from a passe-partout.

For the test, I selected the following papers: glossy Glossy 230 g/m² and Super Glossy 260 g/m² and semi-gloss Satin 270 g/m² and paper from the Fine art paper series - Semi Glossy Metallic 260 g/m²

Lomond Glossy 230 g/m²

This is Lomond Classic Inkjet Photo Paper. Sufficiently dense, the sheets do not bend when you hold them by the edge. I recommend using paper from 230 g/m² and above for printing photographs that are not supposed to be rolled onto a base or framed in a baguette with glass.

The paper comes out slightly wavy when printed, but after drying (about 10 minutes) it becomes smooth. However, the sheet has a slight bend, which can be seen if you put it on a smooth surface - the edges of the paper are slightly raised.

During drying, the sheet must be handled with care to avoid fingerprints and dust. In this regard, matte papers have always been easier than glossy papers.

I liked the color reproduction of Lomond Glossy. On this particular paper, I increased the saturation to achieve the intensity of color that I wanted, while in the case of Super Glossy, there was no need to increase the saturation. With a little adjustment in Photoshop, I was able to quickly achieve the desired result.

I use profiles for each type of paper, but in order to accurately match the print to the picture of the calibrated monitor, I still “finish” it in a graphics editor. It takes about 7-10 samples on average, as I am very picky about the color, tone and contrast of the print.

About paper texture: Glossy finish is not "mirror smooth". If you look closely, you can see its uneven texture, especially noticeable against a black background. In the case of color prints with a lot of detail, this texture is less noticeable.

Lomond Super Glossy 260 g/m²

Super Glossy is my favorite of all Lomond glossy papers.

It seems to me that if you print on a glossy finish, then no compromises are needed, it should be super glossy.

The color is beautiful, rich, deep, resonant. The print looks great, without a single “but”. As I wrote above, I didn’t have to add saturation - I only corrected the hue.

The surface of the paper is even, mirror-smooth, thus achieving a depth effect that is a bit like plasticizing. The paper itself is also perfectly flat, the edges do not bend. With a higher density than Lomond Glossy 230 g / m², the paper is more plastic, flexible. And if Lomond Glossy is tactilely similar to cardboard, then Lomond Super Glossy is more like thin plastic due to the complete absence of texture. The paper itself is snow-white, colder and slightly whiter than Glossy.

The print must be handled with care after printing, it is also very sensitive to fingerprints and dust until completely dry. Fingerprints do not remain on a dry print, the paper does not scratch (if no special purposeful efforts are made to this), and, which pleased me very much, it is very resistant to creases due to its plasticity.

Semi Glossy Metallic 260 g/m²

Metallic papers are traditionally used for printing industrial scenes (metal surfaces, including cars), water scenes, splashes, landscapes. However, in my opinion, it can also be used for other subjects in which richness of color and the visual effect of image depth inherent only to this type of paper are important. Photos appear three-dimensional with a pearly metallic sheen that creates a slight shimmer and a three-dimensional feel. Since this series of works is made in an emphatically "glamorous" way, Metallic paper is exceptionally suitable for it. At the same time, it is impossible to imagine chiaroscuro black-and-white portraits or a reportage printed on Metallic: this paper has an advertising character, flirting with the viewer, it is intended to please immediately. So not every genre of photography is suitable for her.

Usually Metallic papers are glossy, so when I saw a semi-gloss finish in the Lomond line, I decided to test it. And was very pleased with the result. The finish is similar to Satin. Less glare than gloss, while maintaining color vibrancy.

The paper has a warm tone compared to the pure white Super Glossy. A beautiful pearl shade is visible to the naked eye.

Semi Glossy Metallic is exceptionally strong (typical of Metallic papers), flexible, hard to crease, and fingerprint resistant. Like Lomond Super Glossy, it feels more like plastic than paper to the touch.

Satin 270 g/m²

Satin is a transition between matte and glossy papers. With a satin (satin) finish and a warm undertone. It has a subdued luster, without pronounced glare, as in gloss. To the touch - like Semi Glossy Metallic and Super Glossy: more plastic than paper, flexible, plastic. Due to its flexibility, it is difficult to create a hall. The paper is smooth, absorbs ink well and dries quickly. Fingerprint resistant. Not capricious in printing: I introduced a small correction (as on Lomond Glossy, slightly increased the saturation) and quickly achieved the result I needed. Color juicy, black deep, saturated. In my opinion, this is a universal paper, suitable for almost any plot. When I printed black and white photos by hand, I almost always chose this intermediate option between matte and glossy papers.

Summing up, I want to say that once again I was pleased with Lomond's papers.

For my project that illustrates this article, after trying different options, I settled on Super Glossy paper because of the richness of the color and the mirror-smooth surface - prints on it look the most advantageous for this story. Initially, when planning to choose a paper similar to Fujiflex and suitable for printing a project, I thought that I would choose Semi Glossy Metallic. Indeed, it is similar and no worse, in my opinion, than Fujiflex. Photos look very good on her. But I liked the Super Glossy paper even more. I strongly advise you to try printing on it - for me it was a discovery, and despite the fact that I always prefer matte papers to glossy papers, I really liked Super Glossy.

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