RC papers are good for contact sheets and working prints though many photographers are skeptical of ultimate print quality and archival characteristics. Fiber papers are made of chemically impregnated cotton rag. They tend to develop more slowly and requied longer fixing and washing to rid the fiber of chemicals that may degrade the print. Fiber papers tend to have a very rich tonal range and are preferred for archival printing. They are also somewhat more expensive.
Papers typically come in glossy, semi-matte and matte finishes.
Different manufacturers may have trade names for each type of finish. Glossy produces a very shiny finish with good detail. Semi-matte softens the image and helps conceal grain. Matte has the dullest finish and the grainiest appearance and shows the least contrast. Match the image you want to produce to the type of paper.