Choosing the Right Paper for Your Print Projects

  • Dec 26, 2024

When creating outstanding printed materials, paper choice is as important as design and ink. The right paper not only influences the visual appeal, touch and feel of your print but also dictates its durability, practicality of usage and cost-effectiveness. Whether you are crafting a business card, a brochure, or any promotional material, understanding the nuances of paper weight, finish and texture can elevate your project from ordinary to extraordinary.

Let's explore the various types of papers available, their nature, and their usage so that you can better choose the right paper for your print projects.

Primary Features That Matter When Selecting a Paper for Print

When selecting a paper for printing projects, the primary features that matter are weight, finish, shininess, brightness and opacity.

Weight

The paperweight corresponds to the thickness and stiffness of the paper. The higher the weight, the thicker and stiffer the paper. Based on the weight and thickness, print paper is further classified into two categories: Cover Stock and Text Stock.

Cover Stock is a thicker paper that is often used as book covers. We aren't talking about the hardcover books, but more like paperback or softcover books. They are well suited for greeting cards, postcards, bookmarks, hand-tags or anything that needs stiff, heavy paper.

Text Stock is the paper we usually see in office printers. They are thinner, looser and more flexible. They are ideally used for pages inside a book, brochures, flyers, mailers and notepads.

If the final printed material needs to be shipped, the higher weight of the paper can lead to additional costs while shipping.

Finish/Shininess

Based on the purpose of usage, paper stock comes in two forms: coated and uncoated.

Coated Paper

Coated Paper are covered with a hardened clay material. This ensures that it will display text and images better with sharper details and denser colours. The downside? Such papers are difficult to write on, especially with pencils or ballpoint pens. Coated paper is great for:

  • brochure
  • catalogues
  • packaging
  • postcards
  • any product we don't intend to write on

The coating on such paper can range from non-shiny matte finish, dull finish, glossy to cast-coated high gloss mirror finish.

Uncoated Paper

Uncoated paper has nothing covering the natural fibres of the paper stock. They have a non-glare surface and are absorbent(soaks up the ink easily). Such papers are easiest to write on and used generally for things like:

  • newsletters
  • stationery
  • envelopes
  • inexpensive flyers
  • any product that we intend to write on

Uncoated papers can be textured like a linen finish or smooth like a standard office printer paper.

Brightness and Opacity

The paper's brightness affects the contrast and how readable print appears. Brighter papers are more readable. Less bright papers have a yellowish look. Bright paper is a better choice for high-end advertising and fine-art reproduction. Less bright papers are chosen for wedding invitations and legal documents as they age more gracefully and don't deteriorate as quickly as bright paper.

Opacity is a measure of how much of the print shows through from one side of the paper to the other. Opacity is particularly important if you plan to print on both sides of the paper. Greeting cards, invitations, postcards, brochures and business cards use 100% opaque paper. Translucent papers which have negligible opacity are often used as tracing papers.

Additional Post-print Finishing

The printed material's appearance, texture and durability can be further enhanced after the design is printed on the piece of paper using additional coatings. The type of coating depends on how you need the printed material to be used. Such coatings also add up to the production cost of the printed material.

UV Coating

Liquid coating is applied over the printed surface. It is then exposed to UV light to harden the coating instantly.

Such a coat protects the design from wear and tear, scratches and smudging. The high gloss coating and the UV treatment make the colours appear even more vibrant. However, such a coat makes the material so hard that it may crack when folded.

Soft-Touch Coating

The soft-touch coating(liquid or laminate) is applied to the printed design and then dried. If a liquid coating is applied, it is dried through a heat or pressure system. For laminates, a thin film is bonded to the paper using heat and pressure.

Such coats add a premium and velvety feel. It also softens the colours and creates a warm look. Such coating is great for business cards and materials that would be held.

Varnish

Varnish is a clear, thin coating applied to printed materials to enhance their appearance and protect the printed surface. They are less glossy and less durable than UV coatings and provide basic protection against dust and abrasion.

Choosing the Right Paper Material

Apart from wood, paper could also be made from cloth, synthetic fibres and even plastics. These papers are used for special purposes. For instance, paper made from plastic or synthetic material is preferred to make weather-resistant maps and hiking materials. These papers are resistant to water, tearing and fading and are suited for outdoor activities.

If you are worried about the impact on the environment, choose papers that are made from materials sourced from sustainable forests and biodegrades faster.

To conclude, while choosing paper for your print projects and marketing materials, first ask yourself some key questions - what is the purpose of the final output, how will it be used and what is the budget for printing? Based on the answers, you can select the right thickness, finish, coating and material. This would ensure that you make an informed decision and create a well-balanced print product that caters to finer nuances as well.


  • Category:
  • Tags: print projects
Close