Choosing the Right Paper Stock for Your Printing Project

Using the right paper stock can make a big difference in your printed product. It can help ensure a finished, high-quality product and save you money.

When you start to research your paper, write down the facts on an index card. This helps keep your notes organized and makes it easier to cite your sources in footnotes or endnotes later.

Thickness

The thickness of a paper card is important because it affects the feel and durability of the finished product. If you’ve ever ordered business cards or bespoke invitations, you know that paper thickness is a critical part of the design process. The wrong paper thickness can make your work look cheap and unprofessional. The best way to ensure your print materials are as high-quality as possible is to select the right thickness of paper and card.

In parts of the world where they use the metric system, the weight of paper is measured in grams per square meter or GSM. This number tells you how thick and heavy the paper is. The higher the GSM, the thicker and heavier the paper.

There are many different types of paper and card available, and the type you choose depends on the purpose of your project. You might need a thicker cardstock for a high-quality brochure, or you may need a lighter material to print a greeting card. In some cases, you can even choose plastic paper that’s water-proof and tear-resistant.

Choosing the right paper weight can make your prints more Paper Card durable, which is important for products that require frequent handling. Thicker cardstocks are also better suited for printing aqueous coating or UV coating, which protects the paper from moisture and light. Thicker materials are also more rigid, making them better suited for folding or cutting.

Gloss

High-gloss paper is shiny and reflects light. It makes colors appear brighter and more vibrant, which is perfect for art prints and postcards. But it’s not suitable for pages of text, as the glare from the glossy coating can make it difficult to read. The paper is also more likely to smudge, so you’ll have to be careful when handling it.

Dull/matte papers are less glossy and feel rough to the touch. They’re good for business cards, and they’re often used in brochures that don’t require a high-quality image. They’re also great for printing black and white graphics and text, as the matte surface doesn’t reflect light.

The texture of the paper is another factor to consider. If you want your brochures to look and feel luxurious, choose a premium textured paper like linen or ribbed. These papers can be embossed or foiled for a high-end look that’s sure to impress.

The finish of your paper card can have a huge impact on its final appearance and how it feels in your hand. For example, if you’re using metallic ink, it will not look very metallic on uncoated or dull/matte stock, but will look much more impressive on gloss stocks. It’s important to think about what your print job will need and how people will use it before choosing a finish.

Uncoated

Uncoated papers have a more natural feel and are often textured like laid, wove or linen. They also tend to be whiter in color than coated sheets although the difference is minimal when compared side by side. They work well with pressure-based printing techniques including embossing/debossing, letterpress and foil stamping. They also lend themselves to folding, even with heavier weights and are great for tactile packaging projects.

They are easy to write on and feed well in office printers making them a popular choice for note pads, compliment slips, forms and letters. Because they are less glossy than coated stocks, they absorb inks much more quickly. It can take several minutes for writing ink to dry on these stocks and ball point inks may smudge easily.

The lack of a coating also makes the surface of uncoated paper easier to write on and allows for high contrast when printing darker images or text. It is recommended that uncoated stock be protected with a free aqueous coating to help protect against scratches, fingerprints and water damage.

Weight

The weight of a paper card or sheet of paper is an important factor to consider when choosing the right paper for your job. Lower-weight papers are thinner, while higher-weight papers are thicker and sturdier. You can easily test a sheet of paper’s weight by weighing it on your home or office scale. In the United States, paper is measured in pounds, while in Ireland and most of Europe it is standard to measure the weight of a piece of paper in grams per square meter or gsm.

Ordinary copier and printer paper falls into this category, as do business cards and letterhead printing. This weight of paper is also ideal for greetings cards and origami.

140-160gsm – This type of paper is mifare desfire ev3 often found in sketch books and notebooks. It is thin enough to write on with a pencil, but heavier ink or markers may bleed through. This weight of paper is good for brochures, tri-folds and menus.

210-300gsm – This type of paper has a little more substance than your average promotional poster. It is still quite bendable and is suitable for watercolors or painting. This is the most common paper weight for invitations, business cards and stationery items. There is an endless variety of different textures, colours and finishes available for your card. From pearlescent to holographic finishes, you can choose the perfect card for your needs.