Short answer
Not necessarily. Matte is a surface finish, not a thickness. Matte photo paper comes in light, medium and heavy weights, so some sheets feel thin like copy paper while others feel as stiff as a card. What you want to check is the paper’s weight, usually printed as gsm (grams per square metre), rather than the word “matte”.
Thickness vs weight
Weight and thickness are related but not identical. Gsm measures how much a square metre of paper weighs. Thickness (sometimes called caliper) measures how deep the sheet is. Two papers with the same gsm can differ in thickness because of fibre density, coatings and how the sheet was made.
In practice, higher gsm usually means a thicker, stiffer sheet, which is why weight is the figure most paper sellers list. Not every listing gives a thickness figure, so use gsm as your main guide.
Typical matte photo paper weights
Matte photo and inkjet papers are sold across a wide range. As a rough guide:
- Lighter weights (around 120 to 150 gsm): Useful for larger quantities, brochures, handouts and items with little keepsake value.
- Mid weights (around 150 to 200 gsm): A common range for general image printing, including pieces that will be framed or displayed.
- Heavier weights (around 200 to 300 gsm): Suited to greeting cards, invitations, gallery-style prints and anything meant to be kept.
- Above 300 gsm: Usually fine art papers, textured papers and printable canvas sheets.
These bands are approximate, and exact labelling differs between makers.
How thick is 250gsm paper?
Ordinary copy paper is commonly around 80 gsm, so 250 gsm is roughly three times as heavy. It feels like a firm card stock: it holds its shape when you pick it up, does not flop, and is sturdy enough for postcards and prints that will be handled. It is thicker than copy paper, though the exact thickness depends on the paper’s construction.
20 lb vs 24 lb paper
Pounds (lb) is a US system that measures the weight of a stack of sheets at a standard size, so it is not directly comparable to gsm without conversion. Between those two, 24 lb is thicker and heavier than 20 lb. As a general reference, 20 lb office paper is close to 75 gsm and 24 lb is close to 90 gsm. Both are far lighter than typical photo paper, which is why photo papers are usually listed in gsm.
What heavier paper changes (and does not)
Heavier paper:
- feels more substantial and “keepsake”-like, which suits cards and gifts
- resists curling and bending better
- can give a more professional impression when handed to someone
Weight on its own does not decide print quality. Colour accuracy, sharpness and longevity depend mostly on the ink and the coating on the paper, so a heavier sheet is not automatically a better-looking print.
Will your printer feed it?
Heavier paper can jam or fail to feed in printers that were not designed for it. Before buying, check your printer’s manual or settings for its maximum paper weight and for any special feed path for thick media. If the manual does not say, start with a small pack. Feed one sheet at a time through a rear or manual tray if your printer has one, and set the paper type to match.
Choosing a weight by project
- Everyday prints and handouts: a lighter or mid weight keeps costs and handling simple.
- Photos to frame: mid to heavy weights feel better and stay flat.
- Cards and invitations: heavier weights feel more finished. If you are weighing coated against uncoated stock for printed cards, see uncoated vs matte business cards; if you are comparing photo finishes for cards, see lustre vs matte photo paper.
- Fine art prints: the heaviest and most textured papers.
FAQ
What is photo paper?
Photo paper is paper with a special coating that is designed to hold ink or dye well and produce sharp, colourful images. It comes in glossy, luster or satin, and matte finishes.
Is matte or glossy better for photo prints?
It depends on the lighting and the image. For a direct comparison of the shinier finishes, see luster vs glossy photo paper.
Is thicker photo paper always better?
No. It feels more substantial, but print quality depends on the coating and ink. Pick a weight that suits the use and that your printer can handle.
Does a protective coating change the paper’s thickness?
Coatings add very little. If you are curious how coatings work on printed paper, see aqueous coating on paper.