Crafting print with precision since 1989—trusted by businesses, fueled by innovation, and driven by purpose.
929 W 16th Street,
Indianapolis, IN
317 635 2282
Gloss, matte, satin, uncoated, C1S, C2S, cover stock, and text weight explained in plain terms by a G7 Master certified print facility in Indianapolis.
Choosing the right paper is one of the most consequential decisions in any print job. The same design printed on two different stocks can feel completely different in a customer's hands. At Printing Partners (929 W 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202 · 317-635-2282), we help brands match paper to purpose on offset, digital, and large-format presses every day. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Researching paper types for a print project? Printing Partners is a G7 Master Colorspace certified commercial printer in Indianapolis. We stock over 40 paper stocks including coated, uncoated, specialty, and FSC certified options, and can send you a printed sample pack before you commit. Request samples and an estimate or call 317-635-2282.
Coated papers are treated with a surface coating (clay, calcium carbonate, or polymer) that seals the sheet and creates a smoother printing surface. The result: sharper halftones, richer color, and better ink holdout. If your piece is image-driven, you're almost certainly printing on coated stock.
A shiny, reflective finish that makes colors vibrant and photos pop. The go-to for product catalogs, postcards, and marketing collateral where visual impact drives results. Ink sits on top of the coating for maximum sharpness.
Best for: Catalogs, postcards, product sheets, flyers, magazine inserts
Full Gloss Paper Guide
A flat, non-reflective finish that's easier on the eyes for text-heavy content and easier to write on. Reads as understated and sophisticated. Often preferred for annual reports and premium brand materials where gloss would feel too commercial.
Best for: Books, annual reports, text-heavy brochures, stationery
Full Matte Paper Guide
A soft, low-sheen finish between gloss and matte. Excellent color reproduction with significantly less glare. Popular for high-end brochures, event programs, and packaging where a refined appearance matters. Handles mixed text and photography equally well.
Best for: Brochures, annual reports, packaging inserts, event programs
Full Satin Paper Guide
Even lower sheen than satin. A muted, velvety surface that provides excellent readability while still supporting full-color imagery. Often used in luxury packaging and upscale consumer goods catalogs where a gloss finish would undermine the brand tone.
Best for: Luxury catalogs, premium packaging, high-end direct mail
Coated on the face side only. The uncoated back accepts adhesive well, making C1S the standard for labels, hang tags, book covers, and retail packaging where the back side bonds to something else.
Best for: Labels, hang tags, book covers, product packaging
Coated on both faces. The standard for any piece printed front and back with images or graphics. Both sides receive equal ink holdout and color fidelity. The default spec for brochures, postcards, and catalog pages.
Best for: Brochures, postcards, catalog pages, sell sheets
Printing on Coated Stock? Our Presses Are Calibrated for It.
G7 Master Colorspace and ISO 9001:2015 certified. Every job delivers verified, repeatable color regardless of paper stock. Short-run or high-volume, we match your paper to the right press and ink profile.
Get a Free EstimateUncoated paper has no surface treatment. Ink soaks slightly into the fiber rather than sitting on top, creating a softer, more organic look. These stocks are writable, feel natural in hand, and often project authenticity that coated stocks can't replicate.
Smooth, machine-finished uncoated stock. The workhorse for forms, letterhead, office documents, and text-heavy print pieces. Accepts laser and inkjet printing cleanly. Most copy paper and offset printing paper is wove.
Best for: Letterhead, forms, office documents, newsletters
A traditional ribbed pattern of parallel lines created during manufacturing on a wire mesh mold. Projects authority and permanence. Widely used for legal documents, executive stationery, and premium correspondence where the paper itself signals credibility.
Best for: Executive stationery, legal documents, premium letterhead
A cross-hatch texture that mimics woven linen fabric. Tactile and distinctive. Popular for business cards and invitations where the paper itself communicates quality before anyone reads a word.
Best for: Business cards, wedding invitations, premium stationery
No-Carbon-Required paper transfers impressions between sheets without carbon paper. Used for invoices, work orders, receipts, and any multi-part form where each party needs an identical copy at the moment of completion.
Best for: Invoices, work orders, purchase orders, multi-part forms
Not Sure Which Finish Is Right?
We'll send physical paper samples for the stocks you're considering, no commitment required. Most customers decide in minutes once they feel the difference in hand.
Request Samples + EstimateSpecialty stocks are selected when standard coated or uncoated paper can't deliver the tactile experience, environmental story, or functional requirement a project demands.
A tactile laminate applied over printed sheets that creates an ultra-smooth, velvety feel. Dramatically elevates business cards, cosmetic packaging, and brand materials. Pairs with spot UV for contrast effects that look intentional, not accidental.
Best for: Business cards, cosmetic packaging, premium brand collateral
Made from cotton fiber rather than wood pulp. Exceptionally durable, archival, and resistant to tearing and moisture. The standard for currency, legal documents, and fine art prints that must endure decades without yellowing or brittleness.
Best for: Certificates, archival documents, fine art prints, stationery
Polypropylene or polyester-based sheets that resist water, tearing, and UV exposure. Essential for outdoor signage, restaurant menus, wristbands, maps, and any application where a paper-based stock would fail within weeks.
Best for: Outdoor signage, restaurant menus, wristbands, maps, tags
Semi-transparent sheets used for overlays, tracing, and layered design effects. Popular in wedding stationery, invitation wraps, and architectural presentations where visual depth is part of the design intent.
Best for: Invitation overlays, architectural drawings, creative packaging
Metalized paper with a shimmering finish that produces dramatic, high-impact printed pieces. Best for holiday campaigns, luxury brand materials, and any piece that needs to stand out in a pile of mail or on a retail shelf.
Best for: Holiday cards, luxury packaging, high-impact direct mail
Natural-toned unbleached paper that communicates sustainability, craft, and authenticity. Increasingly popular for artisan food packaging, retail bags, hang tags, and eco-conscious brand materials where "natural" is part of the brand promise.
Best for: Food packaging, retail bags, hang tags, artisan branding
Something Doesn't Feel Right About Another Printer's Quote?
We're a good second opinion. Printing Partners has been running specialty stocks since 1989. Bring us your specs and we'll tell you straight whether the paper, process, or price makes sense.
Get a Second Opinion EstimateSustainable paper choices are no longer a compromise on quality. Printing Partners offers FSC-certified, recycled content, and alternative-fiber stocks that meet strict brand and sustainability requirements.
Forest Stewardship Council certification ensures paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Required for brands that carry FSC logo claims on print materials. Printing Partners is FSC chain-of-custody certified.
Made from paper already used and recycled by consumers. 30%, 50%, and 100% PCR options available. Slightly warmer tone than virgin fiber stocks. Accepted by most eco-certification programs.
Bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, and agricultural waste papers. Rapidly renewable, low environmental impact, and available in a range of finishes. Excellent for brands with strong sustainability messaging.
Water-based protective coating with lower VOC emissions than UV or solvent-based options. Recyclable and compostable in some applications. Provides scuff resistance with a lighter environmental footprint than lamination.
FSC Disclaimer: FSC logo usage on print materials requires chain-of-custody certification at every step of production. Printing Partners is FSC chain-of-custody certified. If your brand or label requires an FSC claim, confirm certification status before ordering.
Need FSC-Certified Printing?
We're FSC chain-of-custody certified and can fulfill FSC labeled print runs. Tell us your project specs and sustainability requirements and we'll recommend the right stock.
Request an FSC EstimatePaper weight is the most commonly misunderstood spec in printing. Here's what the numbers actually mean, with a conversion table to make sense of any spec sheet.
GSM stands for grams per square meter, the universal metric for paper weight. Unlike US basis weight (which changes meaning across paper categories), GSM is consistent: a higher number always means a heavier, thicker sheet.
Point size measures actual caliper thickness in thousandths of an inch. It's the standard spec for business cards and cardstock: 10pt, 12pt, 14pt, and 16pt are the most common stocked sizes. Our offset presses can run C2S coated stock up to 28pt; digital equipment tops out at 16pt. If you need something in between or beyond, ask — we can order a wide range.
| GSM | US Bond Weight | US Text Weight | US Cover Weight | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 gsm | 16 lb bond | 40 lb text | — | Lightweight copy / fax paper |
| 75 gsm | 20 lb bond | 50 lb text | — | Standard office copy paper |
| 90 gsm | 24 lb bond | 60 lb text | — | Premium copy / stationery |
| 104 gsm | 28 lb bond | 70 lb text | — | Letterhead, premium forms |
| 118 gsm | 32 lb bond | 80 lb text | — | Brochures, newsletters, catalogs |
| 148 gsm | 40 lb bond | 100 lb text | — | Heavy brochures, book pages |
| 163 gsm | — | — | 60 lb cover | Lightweight covers, flyers |
| 216 gsm | — | — | 80 lb cover | Covers, table tents, postcards |
| 270 gsm | — | — | 100 lb cover | Business cards, heavy postcards |
| 325 gsm | — | — | 120 lb cover / ~12pt | Premium business cards, hang tags |
| 350 gsm | — | — | 130 lb cover / ~14pt | Heavy cardstock, thick business cards |
| 432 gsm | — | — | 160 lb cover / ~16pt | Ultra-heavy uncoated (e.g., Cougar 160#); max digital press |
| 700+ gsm | — | — | 28pt board | Offset press max — board-weight C2S, premium packaging |
Basis weight is the weight in pounds of 500 sheets cut to the parent sheet size for that paper category. Bond paper has a different parent size than text or cover paper. That's why "20 lb bond" and "50 lb text" can feel the same even though the numbers are different. Always use GSM when comparing across categories.
| Paper Type | Finish | Typical Weight Range | Best For | Color Reproduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloss Coated | High sheen | 70–100 lb text; 80–130 lb cover; up to 28pt offset | Catalogs, postcards, marketing | Excellent |
| Matte Coated | Flat / no sheen | 70–100 lb text; 80–130 lb cover; up to 28pt offset | Annual reports, books, stationery | Very Good |
| Satin / Silk | Low sheen | 70–100 lb text; 80–130 lb cover; up to 28pt offset | Brochures, packaging, events | Excellent |
| Dull / Velvet | Very low sheen | 80–100 lb text; 80–100 lb cover | Luxury catalogs, high-end brochures | Very Good |
| Uncoated Wove | Smooth, natural | 50–100 lb text; 65–160 lb cover (e.g., Cougar) | Letterhead, forms, books | Good |
| Uncoated Laid | Ribbed texture | 24–32 lb bond (60–80 lb text equiv.) | Stationery, legal documents | Good |
| Uncoated Linen | Cross-hatch texture | 24–100 lb (bond / text / cover) | Business cards, invitations | Good |
| Synthetic | Smooth, durable | Various (mil thickness) | Outdoor signage, menus, maps | Very Good |
Have a Spec Sheet You're Trying to Decode?
Send us your project specs and we'll recommend the right stock, weight, and finish. No sales pressure, just a straight answer from an experienced print team.
Get Paper Advice + an EstimateText weight paper is the standard category for interior pages: brochures, booklets, catalogs, newsletters, and books. Flexible enough to fold without cracking, light enough to keep multi-page pieces manageable.
Lightweight and economical. Standard for newspapers, newsletters, and high-volume inserts where paper cost per piece matters most.
The most common text weight for commercial brochures and flyers. Substantial enough to feel quality. Widely available in coated and uncoated finishes.
Premium text weight. Used for high-end brochures, annual report interiors, and catalog pages where perceived quality is important. Requires scoring before folding.
Folding tip: Always score text weight paper at 80 lb and above before folding, especially on coated stocks. Unscored folds on heavy coated sheets will crack along the fold line.
Cover weight paper is significantly thicker and stiffer than text weight. It's designed to hold its shape, withstand repeated handling, and project substance. Everything from business cards to packaging starts here.
Entry-level cover weight. Flexible enough to fold easily. Used for lightweight covers, folder inserts, and table tents.
Mid-range cover stock. Solid for pocket folder shells, presentation covers, rack cards, and postcards up to 6x9".
The most popular business card stock. Heavy, sturdy, and immediately communicates quality. Also standard for thick postcards.
Premium business card territory. Noticeably thicker. Used for luxury business cards, hang tags, and boutique packaging.
Ultra-heavy territory. We stock 14pt and 16pt C2S coated and carry Cougar 160# uncoated. Max for our digital presses. Offset can run well beyond this.
Our offset presses can run C2S coated board up to 28pt — well beyond what most digital shops can handle. Board-weight packaging, ultra-thick promotional pieces, and specialty runs. Ask us what's possible.
We stock 10pt, 12pt, 14pt, and 16pt C2S coated on hand for fast turnaround. We also carry Cougar 160# uncoated for a premium, tactile alternative. Add gloss, matte, or soft-touch lamination to any stock for an upgraded finish.
Need something heavier? Our offset presses run C2S up to 28pt — far beyond what most shops offer. If you have a specific caliper in mind, ask. We can source or order a wide range of stocks beyond what's in our warehouse.
Get Business Card PricingG7 Certification Means Your Colors Are Right, Every Run.
Color shifts between proofs and press runs are our clients' biggest frustration with other printers. G7 Master certification means we hit the same target every time.
Get a Free EstimateOpacity determines how much the printing on the opposite side shows through. It matters whenever both sides of a sheet are printed, which is most of the time.
Minimal show-through. Heavier stocks (80 lb text and above), coated papers, and opaque white stocks. Required for double-sided printing with heavy coverage: books, catalogs, business cards.
Slight show-through on dark images. Standard 60 to 70 lb text. Acceptable for most brochures and newsletters with light to medium ink coverage. Common in standard copy paper.
Noticeable show-through. Translucent and vellum stocks. Used intentionally for design effects (overlays, layered invitations) or in single-sided pieces where show-through is irrelevant.
Brightness vs. Opacity: Don't confuse brightness (how much light a paper reflects, measured on a GE/TAPPI scale of 0 to 100) with opacity (resistance to show-through). A paper can be very bright but have moderate opacity, or be off-white but very opaque. Both matter: brightness affects perceived color vibrancy, opacity affects readability on double-sided pieces.
Five questions, in order, that lead to the right paper choice every time.
Define your project type
Is this a brochure, business card, catalog, postcard, flyer, or book? Each format has standard paper conventions that set reader expectations. Deviating from convention can be a deliberate creative choice or an unintended mistake that reads as cheap.
Choose your finish
Image-heavy, color-critical work goes coated (gloss, satin, or matte). Text-heavy, writable, or tactile-premium pieces go uncoated. When in doubt, satin is the safest middle ground: it handles color well and reads easily.
Pick the right weight
Interior pages, brochures, and newsletters use text weight (60 to 100 lb text). Covers, business cards, postcards, and stand-alone flyers use cover weight (65 to 130 lb cover). When the piece needs to hold its shape on its own, go cover weight.
Account for finishing
Will the piece be folded, laminated, die-cut, or saddle-stitched? Heavy coated stocks crack on sharp folds without scoring. UV coating prevents writing on the surface. Soft-touch laminate adds thickness, so account for it in envelope spec. Confirm compatibility before speccing the paper.
Request a sample or proof
When stakes are high, request a physical paper sample before committing to a run. Printing Partners provides samples for major stock options and can produce a press proof on your actual file. The cost of a proof is always less than the cost of reprinting a full job.
Ready to Spec Your Paper?
We'll match your project to the right stock and send samples before you commit.
Request Samples + EstimateEvery paper type in this guide is a stock we carry and print on at our Indianapolis facility. Here is how each maps to the products we produce most often.
| Paper Type | Common Print Products | Why This Paper |
|---|---|---|
| 100 lb Gloss Text | Brochures, flyers, catalogs, postcards | Vibrant color, crisp photos, cost-effective at volume |
| 100 lb Gloss Cover | Business cards, report covers, hang tags | Thick enough to stand alone, gloss sheen holds up to handling |
| 100 lb Matte Text | Annual reports, books, text-heavy brochures | Easy to read under office lighting, premium feel |
| Soft-Touch Laminated Cover | Premium business cards, folders, booklet covers | Tactile luxury feel, fingerprint resistant |
| 70 to 80 lb Uncoated Text | Letterhead, envelopes, forms, NCR | Writeable, ink-absorbent, accepts laser toner |
| 14 pt Gloss Cover | Postcards, door hangers | Survives mail handling, holds USPS address ink |
| FSC Certified Stocks | Any product requiring sustainability documentation | Chain-of-custody certification included with order |
The best way to choose is to hold the paper in your hand. We can send a sample kit of our most popular stocks so you can see and feel the difference before you order.
The paper questions our team answers most often, with straight answers, not sales copy.
The main paper types in commercial printing are: coated (gloss, matte, satin/silk), uncoated (wove, laid, linen), C1S (coated one side), C2S (coated both sides), text weight, cover weight, and specialty stocks (synthetic, metallic, cotton, FSC recycled). Coated papers produce sharper images and richer color; uncoated papers accept ink better for readability and writability.
Gloss paper has a shiny, reflective finish that makes colors appear vibrant and images pop. Best for product catalogs, postcards, and marketing materials where visual impact matters. Matte paper has a flat, non-reflective surface that is easier to read and write on. Best for books, text-heavy brochures, and materials that need to feel premium without shine. Satin is a middle ground: good color with less glare than gloss.
GSM stands for grams per square meter, the metric standard for measuring paper weight. It's the most reliable way to compare papers because the number is consistent regardless of category. A 60 gsm sheet is always lighter than a 100 gsm sheet. In the US, paper is often described by "lb" weight, but that number means different things in bond, text, and cover categories. GSM cuts through that confusion.
Basis weight is the weight in pounds of 500 sheets cut to the parent sheet size for that paper category. Different paper categories (bond, text, cover) have different parent sheet sizes, which is why a 20 lb bond and a 50 lb text can feel nearly identical even though the numbers are very different. Basis weight comparisons are only valid within the same paper category. Use GSM to compare across categories.
The most popular business card stocks are 14 pt or 16 pt coated cardstock (approximately 100 to 120 lb cover) with gloss or matte lamination. For a premium feel, soft-touch lamination or uncoated linen stock are popular upgrades. Thick stocks make a stronger first impression and hold up better to wallet handling. Avoid paper below 80 lb cover; it feels flimsy and folds easily.
For folded brochures, 80 to 100 lb gloss or satin text weight is standard. Use coated stock for image-heavy brochures where color accuracy matters. Use uncoated for brochures that need a natural, tactile feel or that customers need to write on. Always score before folding at 80 lb and above. Add aqueous coating for durability if the brochure will be handled frequently.
Text weight paper is lighter and designed for interior pages of booklets, brochures, and books. Typically 60 to 100 lb text (75 to 148 gsm). Cover weight is thicker and stiffer, used for covers, postcards, business cards, and anything that needs to hold its shape. Typically 65 to 130 lb cover (176 to 350 gsm). Important: "60 lb text" and "60 lb cover" are completely different thicknesses because they're measured against different parent sheet sizes.
C1S means coated one side. Used for labels, hang tags, and book covers where only one side needs a coated finish and the uncoated back needs to accept adhesive or lamination. C2S means coated both sides. Used for brochures, postcards, and catalog pages where both sides will be printed with images or graphics that require ink holdout and color fidelity.
Satin paper (also called silk or velvet) is a coated paper with a soft, low-sheen finish between gloss and matte. It reproduces color well with significantly less glare than gloss. Many designers prefer satin for pieces that mix photography and body text because it handles both equally well without the mirror-finish distraction of gloss.
The traditional standard for resumes is 24 lb or 28 lb cotton or linen uncoated writing paper in bright white or natural white. These stocks feel substantial in hand, accept laser printing cleanly, and signal professionalism without being flashy. Avoid coated stocks; they feel slick and can look too commercial for personal documents.
For indoor display posters, 100 lb gloss text is the industry standard: vibrant colors and holds up under fluorescent lighting. Satin finish reduces glare in bright display environments. For outdoor use or high-traffic display, choose synthetic polypropylene or polyester stock that resists moisture and tearing. Large-format banner printing uses a different substrate category entirely.
Inkjet paper is designed to absorb water-based ink and often has a micro-porous or swellable coating for sharp image reproduction. Laser paper is made to withstand heat from the fusing process and has a smooth surface for proper toner adhesion. Using inkjet paper in a laser printer can cause jams and poor toner adhesion. Using laser paper in an inkjet printer can cause smearing. Commercial offset printing uses neither; it uses press-specific stocks for oil-based inks.
Laid paper has a textured pattern of parallel lines (laid lines and chain lines) created during manufacturing on a wire mesh mold. It has a distinctive, traditional look associated with authority and permanence. Used for executive stationery, legal documents, and premium correspondence. Laid paper is always uncoated and may show ink differently than smooth stocks; test with your specific design before a full run.
Yes, with some caveats. Lightweight stocks (under 70 lb text) can have show-through on double-sided printing with heavy ink coverage. C1S paper is not designed for quality printing on the uncoated back. For reliable double-sided printing at any ink coverage level, use C2S stock at 80 lb text or heavier.
G7 Master Colorspace and ISO 9001:2015 certified. Your paper selection meets its full potential on every press run. Accurate color. Consistent results. Family-owned since 1989.
