Canson Photographique 2 and Canson Arches 88

Canson Baryta Photo 2 and Arches 88

Why These Two Papers Set the Standard for Fine Art Printing

Canson photographique 2 and arches 88 , Choosing the right paper is not a minor decision. Paper determines how an image lives in the real world. Texture, tonal depth, surface reflectivity, and longevity all matter. After testing and printing thousands of images, two papers consistently stand above the rest for different disciplines.Canson Baryta Photo 2 for photography and Arches 88 for illustration and graphic work.

They are not interchangeable. They are specialists. And that is exactly why they are the best.

Canson Baryta Photo 2

Built for Photographers Who Care About Tone

Canson Baryta Photo 2 is a baryta based inkjet paper inspired by traditional darkroom fiber prints. It is designed for photographers who want depth, richness, and precision.

This paper excels at:

• Deep blacks with true shadow separation• Smooth highlight roll off• Strong Dmax without crushed detail• A subtle sheen that adds dimension without glare

Portraits, documentary work, black and white photography, and color images with complex tonal transitions all benefit from this surface. Skin tones look natural. Shadows feel dimensional. Blacks stay black, not muddy.

If you shoot film or aim for a darkroom aesthetic, this paper translates that intent better than almost anything else available today.

Baryta Photo 2 does not fight the image. It supports it.

Why Baryta Is Not for Illustrations

Illustrations, line work, and graphic compositions demand clarity and restraint. Baryta papers introduce texture and reflectivity that can interfere with flat color fields and precise edges.

This is where Arches 88 enters the conversation.

Arches 88

The Gold Standard for Illustration and Graphic Art

Arches 88 is a 100 percent cotton paper with no texture and no distractions. It was originally designed for silkscreen and printmaking, and it shows.

This paper excels at:

• Ultra clean whites• Crisp edges and line work• Flat, even color fields• Zero surface interference

Illustrators, designers, and artists working with bold shapes, minimal palettes, or detailed line work need a paper that stays invisible. Arches 88 does exactly that.

There is no grain. No tooth. No shine. Just the artwork.

It feels archival, intentional, and museum ready.

Choosing the Right Paper Is About Respecting the Medium

Canson photographique 2 and arches 88 , Photography benefits from depth, nuance, and surface interaction. Illustration benefits from control, precision, and neutrality.

Canson Baryta Photo 2 respects photography.Arches 88 respects illustration.

Using the wrong paper flattens the work. Using the right one elevates it.

Final Thoughts From the Print Lab

At DG Print Lab, these two papers Canson photographique 2 and arches 88 are not trends or marketing picks. They are tools chosen because they consistently deliver results that artists can stand behind.

If you are printing photographs and want gallery quality results, choose Baryta Photo 2.If you are printing illustrations, posters, or graphic art and want absolute clarity, choose Arches 88.

Great work deserves the right surface.

Regardless if those two were the last 2 papers on earth I'd be okay with it.

If you want help choosing, Test printing or preparing your files for either paper, reach out.