Is Epson Ultra Premium photo paper worth more than Premium?

Pick 0010 · Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, S042174

The difference between Epson Ultra Premium and Premium glossy paper is weight rather than the printing surface, and reviewers who have used both describe the same print result on thicker stock. AddToPick rates the Ultra Premium worth the extra cost when prints will be handed out or framed. Pigment ink printers can show glare on this glossy surface.

Product	Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Glossy, S042174
Size	4x6, 100 sheets
Difference	Heavier stock than Epson Premium, same print surface
Best for	Prints that are framed, handed out or put in albums
Works with	Epson printers, and reported working on an HP printer
Skip if	Prints are for a matte or fine art finish
AddToPick	Worth buying

What it is

Ultra Premium Glossy is the heaviest of Epson's consumer photo papers, sold here as 100 sheets at 4x6. The paper is formulated for Epson inks, which is the argument reviewers make for buying paper from the same manufacturer as the printer.

The weight is what buyers are paying for over the Premium grade. One reviewer who uses both reports the print side appearing the same and printing the same, with thickness as the difference in hand.

How it works

Colour rendering is where reviewers who switched from third party paper report the largest change. One reviewer who had used non OEM paper for years describes the difference on first use as immediately visible in brilliance and colour, and gave away the remaining non OEM stock.

Glare is the trade-off of a glossy surface. One reviewer using a pigment printer reports specular glare, notes it is only visible when the print is tilted into the light, and chooses matte paper for fine art work while keeping this glossy stock for prints that get handed out.

What reviewers report

AddToPick read ten US five-star reviews of this paper, coming to roughly 6,000 characters. Several reviewers write from the position of having compared this paper against alternatives.

Named limitations from these five-star reviewers:

The Ultra Premium and Premium grades differ in weight. One reviewer who uses both describes the print side as the same and the Ultra Premium as thicker.
Reviewers who switched from third party paper describe a clear improvement in brilliance and colour, and one stopped using non OEM paper entirely as a result.
The paper is not limited to Epson printers in practice. One reviewer reports the paper working well on an HP Envy Inspire.
Reviewers use the 4x6 size for albums, pocket pages and holiday cards, and treat the 100 sheet count as good value. Named limitations from these five-star reviewers:
One reviewer using a pigment printer reports specular glare on the glossy surface, visible when tilting the print, and uses matte paper for fine art prints instead.
One reviewer with an Epson Artisan 1430 reports having to clean the print heads before every use with this paper to get accurate colour, while the same printer prints correctly on plain paper without that step. This is one printer model and one reviewer.

Who it is not for

Fine art printing. One reviewer who prints for showcases uses matte paper for the best images and reserves this glossy stock for prints that get handed out.
Pigment ink printers where glare matters. The same reviewer reports specular glare on this surface, manageable under glass but present.
Anyone who prints rarely. This is a 100 sheet pack of a single size, and the value argument rests on getting through it.
Anyone expecting the paper to fix a printer problem. One reviewer's colour accuracy issue was solved by cleaning print heads, not by the paper.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between Ultra Premium and Premium?

One reviewer who uses both describes the print surface as the same and the Ultra Premium as the thicker stock. The difference is felt in the hand rather than seen in the print.

Does the paper only work in Epson printers?

The paper is formulated for Epson inks, and reviewers argue for matching paper to printer brand. One reviewer nonetheless reports good results on an HP Envy Inspire printer.

Does glossy paper show glare?

One reviewer using a pigment printer reports specular glare visible when tilting the print into the light, and describes it as not a problem for viewing, especially under glass.

Is 100 sheets of 4x6 a practical quantity?

Reviewers use the size for photo albums, pocket pages and holiday cards, and describe the count as good value rather than excess.

Will this paper give store quality prints at home?

One reviewer who switched from third party paper reports results that rival or exceed retail prints, and no longer uses a store. This is a comparison by a reviewer rather than a measured test.

Watch it in use

Where to buy

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Pick 0010 · Last updated 2026-08-31 · Reviewed by AddToPick