Paper gloss

Gloss is the degree to which a paper surface approximates the specular reflectance of a perfect mirror. It is expressed as the ratio of the paper's specular reflectance at a specific angle to the specular reflectance of a standard black glass at the same angle. Paper mills typically measure the light reflectance of white paper surfaces and express the reflectance rate as a percentage. The industry uses this rate to classify paper grades, with higher rates indicating higher-quality finished products. Paper with greater gloss produces printed materials with more vibrant colors. Promotional posters and magazines often utilize high-gloss paper to accentuate text and images, capturing viewer attention. Conversely, book production typically employs lower-gloss paper to minimize eye fatigue caused by excessive reflected light. As seen above, all paper properties relate to printability—a fact known to every printing professional. Yet not everyone understands which factor most significantly impacts print reproduction or the relative importance of each property in this relationship. If the influence of each property on print performance could be quantified with a definitive value, it would undoubtedly provide invaluable guidance for production in the printing industry.