HP Premium Plus Satin 8.5x11 Review: Conditional Buy 8.6/10
A Staples reviewer didn’t mince words: “i couldn’t believe the difference!”—and that single reaction captures the core story around HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Satin 8.5x11: many buyers see “studio quality” results, but a smaller (and louder) group says a “new improved” version prints noticeably worse. Verdict: Conditional buy — 8.6/10 if you’re matching the right printer/settings and you like soft gloss/satin; riskier if you’re replacing an older batch you loved.
Quick Verdict
Yes—conditionally. The broad consensus across retail reviews is strong print quality with a less-reflective finish than high-gloss, but user reports show occasional feeding issues, smudging/handling quirks, and at least one sharp quality drop complaint tied to a changed product.
| What matters | Verdict | Evidence from users |
|---|---|---|
| Print quality (color/sharpness) | Strong | Best Buy reviews highlight “vibrant colors” and “studio quality”; a Staples reviewer wrote: “photos are very crisp” |
| Finish (soft gloss / satin) | Popular | Staples reviewer preferred it because it’s “much less reflective glare” than glossy |
| Dry time / smudge resistance | Usually good | Best Buy feedback frequently mentions “quick drying time,” but also “occasional smudging” |
| Paper feeding / printer compatibility | Mostly fine, some issues | Best Buy reviewer “lv val” said the paper “didn't feed smoothly” |
| Consistency vs older packs | Risk factor | Staples complaint: “bring back the unimproved… i couldn't believe the difference!” |
| Price perception | Sometimes pricey | Best Buy reviewer “andrew” said: “kinda pricey for it just photo paper” |
Claims vs Reality
HP’s marketing leans hard on “gallery-worthy” output, quick-dry handling, and long-lasting, fade-resistant prints when paired with original HP ink. Digging deeper into user feedback, the “gallery” claim is the one most people validate—especially hobbyists printing gifts, hunters printing trip photos, and anyone framing family pictures at home.
A verified buyer on Best Buy (“eddie”) framed the appeal for casual printers who want pro-looking keepsakes: “i feel they came out as studio quality… i gave a few as christmas gifts in frames.” Another Best Buy reviewer (“bill”) focused on color response rather than just sharpness: “i love how this paper grabs the colors and makes the print comes alive.” Even when the language gets over-the-top, the core point is consistent: Best Buy reviewer “Best Buy Best Buyer” said it “consistently produces… gallery - quality.”
The quick-dry story is mostly supported, but not universally. Best Buy’s summary notes customers “frequently praising its vibrant colors and quick drying time,” and reviewer “biff” echoed the practical benefit: “great paper dries instantly which makes it easy to protect your photos.” Yet there are edge cases where handling or setup can derail that promise—Best Buy reviewer “glou” warned that inserting it wrong can tank results: “insert it properly… otherwise the quality… will be greatly decreased and the ink will never dry!”
Where reality diverges most sharply is consistency. While official positioning implies stable premium output, at least one Staples reviewer described a dramatic drop versus an older batch: “i just purchased the new improved photo paper… printed… old paper… then… new package… i couldn't believe the difference!” Another Staples reviewer went further, reporting outright bad results: “this paper was horrible! the resolution was bad, the colors were truly awful, and the ink seemed to have ‘echoes.’” Those reports don’t dominate the dataset, but they matter because they contradict the “HP’s best photo paper” expectation.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
A recurring pattern emerged around “professional-looking prints at home”—especially for people who want something better than office paper without the mirror-like reflection of true glossy stock. Staples reviewer “soft gloss photo paper” described exactly that middle ground: “not too glossy and vibrant color reproduction.” For photographers printing portraits or nature shots, that balance shows up as “pop” without glare; Staples reviewer “beautiful prints” said: “compared to glossy paper, i find pictures more enjoyable with much less reflective glare.”
For gift-givers and framers, the praise becomes more concrete: the paper doesn’t just look good fresh out of the printer—it’s something people feel comfortable displaying. Best Buy reviewer “satisfied” said: “brilliant pictures and so vivid… this will always be my go-to for my photos.” Another long-running user, Best Buy reviewer “butch wax,” emphasized reliability across uses: “i have never had a problem with this paper… gloss, soft gloss!!” That “go-to” language shows up repeatedly, suggesting many buyers treat it as a default premium option rather than an occasional splurge.
Print quality isn’t only about saturation; several users specifically talk about “studio” or “professional” output. Staples reviewer “professional grade” said: “prints are exceptional,” while Best Buy reviewer “unique lyme” described the impact on personal projects: “the paper made the pictures look professionally printed.” Even business or semi-professional contexts appear: Staples reviewer “great product !” said they used it “for years for our dental practice events and advertising,” implying the finish and clarity hold up for real-world promotional uses.
Finally, ease-of-use and compatibility gets a lot of quiet approval—when it works, it just loads and prints. Best Buy’s aggregated review text says customers appreciate “compatibility with various printers,” and reviewer “adman” tied that to peace of mind: “knowing it’s by hp and for hp gives me some piece of mind… it prints out so nice.”
Summary of praise (after the stories):
- Print quality that users describe as “studio quality” and “professionally printed”
- A satin/soft-gloss look that reduces glare for framing
- Often fast-drying output that’s easy to handle soon after printing
Common Complaints
The most consequential complaint is the fear that the product changed. Digging deeper into the Staples reviews, one buyer’s side-by-side comparison reads like a quality-control investigation: “i had one sheet of my old paper left… then opened the new package… i thought something was wrong with my printer!” That kind of report hits hardest for repeat buyers—people who purchase the same SKU expecting identical results year after year.
Feeding issues show up as a smaller, but real, friction point—especially for people trying to print full-page photos. Best Buy reviewer “lv val” said: “it is heavier than regular photo paper and i had difficulty with the printer… didn't feed smoothly and i couldn't print full page.” For high-volume printers or anyone on an older all-in-one, that experience can turn a “premium paper” into a troubleshooting session.
Smudging is mentioned as occasional rather than endemic, but it still appears enough to flag. Best Buy’s review summary notes “some users noted occasional smudging,” and another reviewer’s warning implies that improper loading can worsen dry time and smear risk: “insert it properly… otherwise… the ink will never dry!” For families printing lots of snapshots (kids grabbing prints immediately), those edge cases matter.
Price perception is the most predictable gripe. Even when users like the output, the cost per sheet can feel steep. Best Buy reviewer “andrew” said: “pretty good product all though it is kinda pricey for it just photo paper.” That complaint seems less about “bad value” and more about the reality that premium photo paper is a recurring expense—especially for people printing frequently.
Summary of complaints (after the stories):
- Reports of “new improved” batches printing worse than older stock (Staples)
- Some printers struggle feeding heavier sheets or full-page printing (Best Buy)
- Occasional smudging/dry-time sensitivity, sometimes tied to loading/setup (Best Buy)
- Price can feel high even for satisfied users (Best Buy)
Divisive Features
The finish itself—satin/soft gloss—splits users remembered from glossy paper days. Some actively prefer it because it reduces reflections: Staples reviewer “beautiful prints” praised “much less reflective glare.” But the same “less glossy” characteristic can frustrate people expecting a punchier, high-gloss look, and the dataset hints at this via users who explicitly seek “soft glossy” because it’s “getting hard to find,” implying buyers shop by finish preference rather than brand alone. Staples reviewer “great product” said: “the soft glossy paper is getting hard to find, which i prefer.”
Another divisive element is “premium” consistency: many long-time users swear by it, while a few describe output so poor they suspect printer failure. That gap is stark—Staples reviewer “the bomb photo paper” said it “made my photos look like an expert took the picture,” while another Staples reviewer countered: “the resolution was bad… colors were truly awful.” The product may be sensitive to printer model, settings, or batch variation, and users experience it as either dependable or baffling.
Trust & Reliability
The most credible “trust” signal in the dataset is not a fraud pattern—it’s repeat purchasing and long-term use stories. Best Buy reviewer “ms mystery” claimed heavy ongoing usage: “i shoot and print 1000's of pictures year round… this gives me excellent results,” and reviewer “zach” pointed to longevity of older prints: “i have some pictures… from years ago and they still look as good as the day i printed them (not seeing a whole lot of sunlight).” Those comments align with HP’s positioning around durability and fade resistance, at least in typical indoor display conditions.
The biggest reliability concern comes from product-change anxiety rather than scams. The Staples “bring back the unimproved” post reads like a warning to loyalists: “i thought something was wrong with my printer!” If you’re a repeat buyer replacing an old pack, this is the one theme that suggests risk: even with identical settings, at least one user perceived a major output difference across purchases.
Alternatives
Only a few competitors appear in the data by name, and one of the clearest “alternative framing” actually comes from a user comparing outcomes rather than a spec sheet. Best Buy reviewer “makes great prints” said: “i think it is the equivalent of fuji archival christal.” That’s not a measured lab comparison, but it shows what the paper is competing against in users’ minds: archival-looking output that feels “photo lab” level.
A second alternative implied by the dataset is simply switching finish type rather than brand. Multiple users contrast soft gloss/satin with high gloss, arguing that ultra-shiny paper can interfere with viewing. Best Buy reviewer “ms mystery” explained: “sometimes high gloss paper interferes with actually seeing the photo image… that's why i prefer soft gloss.” For buyers debating “glossy vs satin,” the alternative may be within HP’s own lineup—choosing a higher-gloss option if your priority is maximum sheen rather than glare control.
Price & Value
Retail pricing comments show two parallel truths: many buyers feel the output justifies paying more, but some still flinch at the per-sheet cost. Best Buy reviewer “andrew” summed up the hesitation—“kinda pricey”—even while calling it “pretty good.” Meanwhile, Best Buy’s aggregate notes say “the price point is often cited as a positive aspect,” suggesting deals or availability sometimes make it feel reasonable.
On the resale/secondary-market side, eBay listings show this paper and related HP photo paper products moving as both small packs and bulk lots (for example, “hp cr667a… 50 sheets” and bulk “350 sheets… CR671A”). That pattern implies a buying tip straight from market behavior: heavy users may find better per-sheet economics via larger lots, while occasional printers stick to smaller packs to avoid storing paper long-term.
Buying tips grounded in user behavior:
- If glare bothers you in frames, users repeatedly favor soft gloss/satin over high gloss (Staples, Best Buy).
- If dry time or smudging appears, user advice emphasizes loading orientation and correct paper selection in printer settings (Best Buy “glou”).
- If you’re replacing an older pack you loved, expect possible differences—at least one Staples reviewer reported a big drop with “new improved” paper.
FAQ
Q: Does HP Premium Plus Satin/Soft Gloss actually look “professional”?
A: Many reviewers describe results as “studio quality” or “professionally printed.” Best Buy user “eddie” wrote: “i feel they came out as studio quality,” and “unique lyme” said the paper “made the pictures look professionally printed.” A few Staples reviews disagree strongly, describing poor resolution and color.
Q: Is the satin/soft-gloss finish better than glossy for framing?
A: For glare-sensitive displays, several users prefer it. A Staples reviewer said photos are “more enjoyable with much less reflective glare” than glossy paper. Others specifically seek “soft glossy” because they like that balance—enough pop without the mirror-like shine that can obscure details under bright lights.
Q: Does it dry quickly and resist smudges?
A: Many Best Buy reviewers praise “quick drying time,” and one said it “dries instantly.” However, Best Buy also notes “occasional smudging,” and user “glou” warned that incorrect loading can cause problems where “the ink will never dry.” Experiences vary by setup and handling.
Q: Will it work in any inkjet printer without feeding issues?
A: Many customers find it easy to load and compatible, but some report trouble. Best Buy reviewer “lv val” said the heavier paper “didn't feed smoothly” and they “couldn't print full page.” If your printer struggles with thicker media, you may need manual feed or specific photo paper settings.
Q: Did the quality change between older and newer packs?
A: At least one Staples reviewer reported a dramatic difference: “i just purchased the new improved photo paper… i couldn't believe the difference!” Another Staples review calls results “horrible.” At the same time, many Best Buy reviewers describe consistent excellence over years, so reports conflict by buyer and purchase.
Final Verdict
Buy HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Satin 8.5x11 if you’re a home photographer, gift-printer, or small business user who wants “studio quality” prints with less glare than glossy—Best Buy user “eddie” called it “studio quality,” and Staples users praise “much less reflective glare.” Avoid if you’re extremely sensitive to batch-to-batch consistency or you’re replacing an older pack you loved—Staples reviewer warned: “bring back the unimproved.” Pro tip from the community: Best Buy user “glou” says to “insert it properly… otherwise… the ink will never dry!”
