Colours look duller on Matte or glossy finish?

Question

It is my first time printing and I'm saddened by the fact that the colours have come out to too dull (the print review was given on a matte finish). Although there are other factors that contribute to colours falling flat, I would like to know would colours look brighter on a glossy paper?

Answer 1

In the broad, general, scheme of things, colors will be percieved as slightly more vibrant on gloss stock because ink isn't absorbed as much into the substrate. But the difference is really minute in most instances. So minute, that one should never try and rely on stock choice to dictate the vibrance of any color.

And this assumes the stock is a gloss stock. It is entirely possibly to print on a matte or dull coat stock, then add an aqueous coating or varnish on top of the ink. This makes the piece appear glossy without actually being printed on a gloss stock.