You finally get your print order ready and you take your disk to the store for prints. You are now faced with that eternal question: "Want fries with that?"  Actually, you won't be faced with that question but you will be asked if you want your prints to be matte or glossy?" If the clerk has time you might see some samples and make a decision on the spot. Why bother? There are advantages to both and you will know ahead of time which is best for your order.

Advantages of glossy: Sharper details, stronger colors. Disadvantages: Ugly fingerprints left by oily fingers, shows detail but also shows flaws, might have reflections on it depending on the angle you view the photo.

The advatanges of matte are that flaws in the image are less pronounced and the print hides some fingerprints. Colors can be a little less saturated. Matte prints are great for portraits where you don't want ever pore to show to be pronounced.

If you have a 2 megapixel camera and are making 8" x 10" prints you will probaly want to go with matte. If you are unsaure and you have a lot of prints to make, have a sample made of each and then decide which one to choose. Sometimes labs that do more of one might have fresh paper that is calibrated correctly for it. I used to use a lab that did far fewer prints in matte and as a result their glossy prints were a better quality.