The invention provides photographic paper having increased image stability. The invention is generally accomplished by forming a paper sheet, drying said paper in a first stage to below about 10 percent water, then applying a polyvinyl alcohol solution to both sides of said paper sheet, drying said paper in a second stage to below about 5 percent water, and then applying further polyvinyl alcohol solution to said paper and drying in a third stage. The paper then may be coated to form a silver halide photosensitive color paper. The paper contains between about 4 and about 6 weight percent of polyvinyl alcohol that is concentrated near the surface of said paper. Further, the paper has a oxygen leak rate of less than about 25 cc/m.sup.2 /day and an oxygen GTR rate of less than about 1 cc/m.sup.2 /day.