Beginner Guide: Best Print Settings for Koala Glossy Photo Paper (For Inkjet Printers)

If you’re new to printing on glossy photo paper, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Glossy paper can look amazing, but only when the right paper settings and ink type are used.

This beginner guide will help you get clean, vibrant prints on Koala Glossy Photo Paper—without ink smudges or wasted paper.

1. Select “Glossy Photo Paper” in Printer Settings

This is the most important step.

Before printing, open your printer settings and choose:

• Paper Type: Glossy Photo Paper / Photo Paper / Inkjet Photo Paper (Glossy)

• Print Quality: High or Best

This setting tells your printer to:

• Print more slowly

• Apply the correct amount of ink

• Prevent ink from sitting on the surface too long

❌ Do not select “Plain Paper”—this often causes over-inking and smearing on glossy paper.

2. Use Dye-Based Ink (Very Important for Beginners)

Glossy photo paper works best with dye-based ink.

Many inkjet printers come with pigment-based black ink by default. While pigment ink is great for plain paper, it is not ideal for glossy photo paper and can cause:

• Ink smudging

• Poor drying

• Uneven or dull results

👉 This is why we strongly recommend using dye-based ink when printing on Koala Glossy Photo Paper.

To make things easier, Koala dye-based ink is specially designed to:

• Dry faster on glossy surfaces

• Reduce smudging and ink pooling

• Deliver brighter, more vivid colors

Using Koala’s dye-based ink helps eliminate unnecessary worries—no guessing, no trial and error.

3. Turn Off Ink-Saving and Draft Modes

Glossy paper needs full ink coverage.

Before printing, make sure to turn OFF:

• Eco Mode

• Ink Saver

• Draft Mode

These modes reduce ink output and can make your prints look faded or uneven.

4. Print on the Correct Side of the Paper

Koala Glossy Photo Paper is single-sided.

Always:

• Print on the glossy coated side

• Load paper based on your printer tray direction

Printing on the wrong side may cause ink to:

• Smear

• Not dry

• Look very dull

5. Let Your Prints Dry Completely

Glossy paper takes longer to dry than matte paper.

After printing:

• Let prints dry for 15–30 minutes

• Avoid touching the surface right away

• Do not stack prints immediately

If you plan to laminate, cut, or package your prints, allow extra drying time for best results.

6. Do a Small Test Print First

Every printer is a little different.

Before printing a full project:

• Print a small test image

• Check for color, sharpness, and drying

• Make small adjustments if needed

This simple step can save a lot of ink and paper.

Beginner-Friendly Printing Tips with Koala

✔ Use Koala Glossy Photo Paper made for inkjet printers
✔ Choose Glossy Photo Paper in printer settings
✔ Use Koala dye-based ink for smoother results
✔ Avoid pigment-based black ink on glossy paper
✔ Be patient and allow enough drying time

With the right settings—and the right ink—printing on glossy photo paper doesn’t have to be complicated. Koala helps make it easy, even for beginners.

Happy crafting with Koala! ✨