What is the best photo paper to use for a Canon Photo printer?

In a nutshell, paper is paper is paper is paper.

“Photo” paper is nothing more than very high quality printing paper. I have no proof, but I have no doubts either, that the photo glossy MkV paper that has Canon on it package is the same photo glossy MkV paper that has Epson and HP on the package as well.

Logic would dictate that using Canon branded papers would work best. Also when using the paper, and ink, recommended by the manufacturer, you have a recourse should the results not live up to the claims.

To be honest, the difference in paper quality is going to be hard to notice while you are using an inkjet printer. What you will notice is that glossy shines more than matte, and things like that. I have use all brands of paper in all brands of printers and have noticed little difference in the quality.

One tip I can give you is go ahead and by some really cheap crap to use to testing. This saves the good stuff for when you have everything right, and trying to print a picture on regular printing paper sucks. So when you spot a pack or two of older paper with a clearance tag of 50¢ on it, get em! They will give you the photo paper look and not break your heart (or wallet) when you just throw them away.

I print up many of my pictures for friends on my inkjet, no problem. Almost all of the pictures that hang on my walls are done on my MX530. But if I need the best in quality, I take it to a lab and have them “photo process” it. What that means is they take your digital image and use it to expose real photographic print paper. Just like if you had given them film. The only difference is that a digital image was used as the source instead of a negative.

To answer your question. Any of those papers mentioned will be good. I will depend on which one you like best. Keep an eye out for each type to be on sale and try them out. You might be able to go into someplace like Office Depot and see if they will sell you a sheet or two of the different types. They often have some of it laying around that they have used.

Hope this helps.