By look and feel alone, it can be hard to tell—especially between traditional photo prints and high-quality inkjet prints. Modern inkjet papers, including baryta-style papers, can closely mimic the smooth, lustrous feel of classic photographic paper.

The most reliable way is to inspect the print closely with a magnifier:

• traditional photo print: image appears continuous, without visible ink droplets or toner particles
• inkjet: you may see tiny droplets or dot patterns
• laser: toner tends to sit on the surface and can look or feel slightly waxy or fused

Laser prints are usually the easiest to identify, but they’re not commonly used for high-quality photo printing. Inkjet and chemically produced photo prints can be very difficult to distinguish, especially if the print has a laminate or other finish.

So yes, there can be a noticeable difference in some cases, but not always. If water safety matters, don’t rely on touch alone—different print processes and coatings vary widely in water resistance.