Can I use any paper in my printer?

Inkjets accept a wide range, but profiles and coatings matter. Dye-sub and instant printers need their own matched supplies.

Is cheap photo paper any good?

For test prints, yes. For prints you’ll frame, the paper maker’s own range makes a visible difference.

Best Photo Paper for Inkjet Printers (2026): Glossy, Luster, Matte

The short answerFor most prints, use a luster or glossy paper from your printer’s maker: Epson for Epson printers, Canon for Canon. Matte and fine-art papers suit pigment printers. For 4 x 6 inkjet prints, a 100-sheet pack works out to roughly 8 to 15 cents a sheet on current listings.

Finish decides the look

Glossy: most saturation, shows fingerprints and glare.
Luster: a semi-gloss that’s easier to frame and photograph well; many photographers’ default.
Matte: no glare, softer contrast, works best with pigment and a matte black.
Fine-art cotton or baryta: texture and archival weight, with profile requirements.

4x6 inkjet paper

Pairs well with: 4x6 inkjet paper

Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, 4x6, 100 sheets

4.8 (2,228)View on Amazon

Epson Premium High-Gloss Photo Paper, 4x6 borderless, 100 sheets

4.8 (4,374)View on Amazon

Epson Value Photo Paper Glossy, 4x6, 100 sheets

4.7 (6,113)View on Amazon

Epson’s value glossy and premium glossy 4 x 6 packs were a few cents per sheet apart on the data pull. Use the premium for prints you intend to frame, and the value pack for proofs.

13x19 paper

Pairs well with: 13x19 paper

Canon LU-101 Luster Photo Paper, 13x19, 50 sheets

4.8 (1,233)View on Amazon

Canon’s LU-101 luster and Pro Premium matte both worked out to about $1.36 a sheet. A third-party 100-sheet matte pack came to about 39 cents. Use cheap paper for test prints, then switch to the paper the printer’s profile was built for.

Dye-sub and instant supplies

Pairs well with: Dye-sub and instant refills

Canon KP-108IN Color Ink and Paper Set, 108 sheets

4.8 (3,440)View on Amazon

Canon KP-108IN Ink and Paper Set, 2 pack (216 prints)

4.8 (3,383)View on Amazon

KODAK PHC-120 refill for Dock Plus: cartridges and 120 sheets

4.5 (3,393)View on Amazon

HP Sprocket Studio Plus paper and cartridges, 108 sheets

4.6 (907)View on Amazon

Liene Amber M100/M200 paper and cartridges, 80 sheets

4.8 (1,493)View on Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Wide film, 40 prints

4.6 (1,220)View on Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Mini film, 40 prints

4.9 (80)View on Amazon

Epson 320 cartridge for PictureMate PM-400

4.7 (1,522)View on Amazon

Dye-sub printers only take their own paper and ribbon kits. A third-party replacement exists for Canon KP-108IN, but check compatibility and reviews before putting it in a printer you paid for.

Best photo paper for inkjet printers