Cotton photo paper is a printing medium based not on wood pulp as in conventional papers, but on pure cotton fibres. This material is naturally free of acids and lignin, substances that cause the paper to yellow and become brittle over time. As a result, prints on cotton paper have a high archival stability and retain their original colours and quality for many decades. To the touch, this paper is usually thicker, heavier and has a specific, finely textured feel that gives the photographs a distinctive character known as a "fine art" print. The surface can be matt, semi-matt or with a subtle sheen. The cotton fibre structure allows for excellent ink absorption, resulting in prints with deep black tones and a rich colour range. For these reasons, it is primarily used for printing fine art photography, fine art reproductions, exhibition enlargements or for the creation of portfolios where the emphasis is on the long-term durability and appearance of the print.
