Looking to elevate your work and make it shine? Swapping out a couple standard photo paper prints with metallic photo paper is one way to make your images look oh so stunning and make your portfolio standout.

Simple, DIY Custom Portfolio Books That Surprise & Delight

You may think that changing your traditional photo printing paper to metallic photo paper takes some time and calibration. But it’s surprisingly simple. You don’t need to change your profiles or artwork files at all. It’s only advised to perhaps calibrate your work space so that you can envision what the metallic paper will do for certain images, helping you choose which to upgrade. Send your files to your favorite professional printing lab, like ArtisanHD, and you’re off!

Once they’re printed, maintenance is easy, too. Just like any photo print, you want to keep it out of direct sunlight. Other than that, the metallic paper holds up well. No need to laminate, mount or otherwise protect it.

Metallic Photo Paper – Go Beyond Glossy For Maximum Effect

As ArtisanHD artist Don Giannatti puts it in his blog, metallic photo paper that gives that metallic finish on photos made a huge difference in how his work is displayed. His portfolio now looks like “Metallic Heaven!”

“Metallic Heaven. You may think that it sounds more like a rock band name than a state of mind, but that is what I thought when I saw my portfolio prints on metallic paper. Heaven. The color was amazing and the black & white and sepia prints were simply astounding.”
-Don Giannatti, Don Giannatti Visual Strategy

Incredible Metallic Photo Prints by Tony Mandarich done by ArtisanHD

If you’re still on the fence about which images to print on metallic paper, or if you should even take the leap for any of your portfolio prints, Don recommends trying a tester. Send the same image file and have it printed on different types of paper, including metallic photo paper, to see which you prefer. And don’t just stick to bright, colorful prints. Black and white images take the metallic look to a whole new level! The difference between metallic prints vs. regular glossy prints is truly seen in person with the portfolio in hand.

Tips On How To Make A Photography Portfolio Stand Out

Portfolios are pretty standard in the editorial industry, but according to Photosmudger, there are a few ways you can make sure yours gets seen.

Choose a size that you can carry around

Usually between size A4 and A3. Smaller portfolios are harder to see quality, and larger portfolios are harder to carry around and have available with a moment’s notice.

Keep the number of images to 20-30

You don’t want to look inexperienced with fewer, but you don’t want to include so many that whoever is reviewing your portfolio forgets what they’ve seen. If you have the time and ability, select images that will appeal to the specific client or purpose.

Physical > Digital Portfolios

Novelties and websites are nice to get a foot in the door, but they should never replace a physical portfolio. Let that metallic photo paper do it’s magic!

Portfolio Summaries Help

Include tearsheets or examples of your work in its final published format so at a glance someone can get an idea of your style and work.

Postcard Portfolios Have Their Use

Consider printing postcard-size images of your favorite works or works that highlight specific genres. They are good to hand out and show more than a business card would, but those are still important, too. Of course, make sure your contact information is readable and current.

As an artist, you know that it’s essential to have your portfolio up to date and on hand at all times. To make and leave a truly lasting impression, upgrade a few images to metallic photo paper and play around with a few details, like sizing, selection and placement. Do what works for you and your masterpieces – not what everyone else is doing!