Hahnemühle FineArt Sample Packs: Textured vs Smooth vs Glossy
By Borge's Imaging — Shop Photography, Printing and Studio Gear in Melbourne Borge's Imaging | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Comparaisons
Compare Hahnemühle's textured, smooth matte, and glossy FineArt sample packs to find the right inkjet paper for your prints before committing to a full box.
Quick answer
Choose the Textured Matt pack if you want visible paper grain and a traditional fine-art look, the Smooth Matt pack for clean detail and a modern matte finish, or the Glossy pack for deeper blacks and a wider range of surfaces. Each pack lets you test two sheets of every included paper before buying a full box.
Why sheet count and paper weight matter more than finish names
The Textured and Smooth Matt packs each contain 10 sheets (two of five papers), while the Glossy pack contains 16 sheets (two of eight papers). That difference affects how many papers you can evaluate and how many test prints you can make. Weight also varies: the Textured pack ranges from 210 gsm to 350 gsm, the Smooth pack from 100 gsm to 310 gsm, and the Glossy pack from 285 gsm to 350 gsm. Heavier sheets generally feel more substantial and handle more ink, but they also cost more per print and may require careful handling through your printer.
The trade-off between surface character and print detail
Textured papers like Torchon, German Etching, and William Turner add visible grain that can enhance landscapes, portraits, and reproductions of paintings, but the texture can soften fine lines and small text. Smooth matte papers such as Photo Rag and Photo Rag Ultra Smooth preserve detail and give a clean, contemporary look, though they may show fingerprints more easily. Glossy and baryta papers deliver deeper blacks and higher contrast, which suits black-and-white and high-color images, but they can produce reflections and may be less forgiving of uneven lighting. The sample packs let you see these trade-offs on your own printer and with your own images.
When a sample pack is the wrong choice
If you already know exactly which paper and finish you need, buying a full box is more economical than sampling. Sample packs are also less useful if you only print one type of image and have no interest in comparing surfaces. Finally, if you need a paper not included in these packs—such as a very lightweight tracing paper or a specialty canvas—these packs won't help you test it.
Key trade-offs to weigh
- Texture vs detail: Textured papers add character but can obscure fine detail; smooth papers preserve detail but may look less distinctive. Test both with an image that contains fine lines and subtle tones. Print the same detailed image on each paper to see which compromise suits your work.
- Sheet count vs variety: The Glossy pack gives you 16 sheets across eight papers, while the Textured and Smooth packs give you 10 sheets across five papers. More papers mean more comparisons but fewer prints per paper. If you want to test many surfaces, the Glossy pack offers the widest selection.
- Weight and handling: Heavier papers (300 gsm and above) feel more substantial but may require adjusting your printer's platen gap or feed settings. Lighter papers like the 100 gsm Rice Paper need careful handling to avoid creases. Check your printer's maximum paper weight before buying a full box of the heaviest sheet you like.
Sample pack facts at a glance
- Hahnemühle Textured Matt FineArt Sample Pack 10 Sheets: Two sheets each of Albrecht Dürer (210 gsm), Torchon (285 gsm), German Etching (310 gsm), William Turner (310 gsm), and Museum Etching (350 gsm). This pack covers a wide weight range and five distinct textures, making it ideal for comparing how different surfaces handle the same image.
Hahnemühle Textured Matt FineArt Sample Pack 10 Sheets - Hahnemühle Smooth Matt FineArt Sample Pack 10 Sheets: Two sheets each of Rice Paper (100 gsm), Photo Rag Duo (276 gsm), Photo Rag Ultra Smooth (305 gsm), Photo Rag (308 gsm), and Photo Rag Bright White (310 gsm). The inclusion of a very lightweight rice paper and a double-sided Photo Rag Duo gives you options for special projects like book pages or translucent overlays.
Hahnemühle Smooth Matt FineArt Sample Pack 10 Sheets - Hahnemühle Glossy FineArt Sample Pack 16 Sheets: Two sheets each of FineArt Pearl (285 gsm), FineArt Baryta Satin (300 gsm), Photo Rag Satin (310 gsm), Photo Rag Baryta (315 gsm), Photo Rag Pearl (320 gsm), FineArt Baryta (325 gsm), Photo Rag Metallic (340 gsm), and Baryta FB (350 gsm). With eight different glossy and baryta surfaces, this pack offers the broadest comparison for anyone printing black-and-white or high-contrast color work.
Which pack fits your needs?
Best for
- Photographers and artists who want to compare textured, smooth, and glossy surfaces before committing to a full box
- Printmakers testing how different Hahnemühle papers handle their printer and inks
- Anyone unsure which fine-art paper finish suits their portfolio or exhibition prints
Not for
- Buyers who already know the exact paper and weight they need
- Printers with limited paper-handling capabilities who cannot use heavy or delicate sheets
- Those looking for a single paper type rather than a variety pack
