Paper Types Explained

When you are choosing a paper for your project, what do all the paper terms mean? What is matte vs uncoated? Below the paper types are explained in detail.

Explaining the common paper types in detail should make it easier to choose coated and uncoated paper for commercial offset printing. The best advice we can give is to look at the swatch books and make several choices. You can feel the weight and texture of the larger sheet of paper better to see if it acceptable.

Coated Paper

Paper with a glossy sheen offers extra benefits while printing, such as sharper details and less dot gain. Coating seals off the paper from absorbing ink. As a result, an image or text that’s almost like it leapt out of your printer onto the page! A range of finishes are available including gloss, matte, dull & satin – so there’s something to suit all tastes for any project you have in mind.

Gloss Paper

Gloss coated paper can provide unparalleled vibrancy and clarity, making them a popular choice for intricate designs. They boast a high gloss paper finish that’s both lightweight and economical – ideal when you need quality without breaking the bank. Reduced ink absorption so your colors will stay true no matter how intense the definition of your printed image is on this shiny paper!

Satin Paper

Satin paper offers a perfect balance between gloss and matte finishes with vivid, striking colors. Its lower shine level provides excellent contrast and image clarity ideal for printing beautiful photos or vibrant designs!

Matte Paper

Matte coated paper is the perfect choice for a professional and polished look. Its non-glossy finish reduces glare. Making it easy to read. Adding extra opacity to ensure vivid colors. The coating stops ink from seeping into the material.

Dull Coated Paper

Dull coated paper is the perfect balance between matte and glossy. Offering a smooth surface with just enough shine to capture attention. Its unique level of luster creates an eye-catching effect that’s sure to stand out in any medium.

Uncoated Paper

The opposite of gloss, uncoated paper is a popular choice for print jobs, but it does have its drawbacks. Inks absorb directly into the stock without any surface sealant to protect them. This results in dull colors that lack vibrancy and depth. There’s no shortage of options within this category; you can choose from wove or smooth finishes, linen texturing and more!

Wove or Smooth Paper

Offering a smooth finish helps make any printed material stand out. With its unique construction, wove paper offer both strength and flexibility. This allows you to easily create printed products with a professional finish. It is more flexible also makes it perfect for digital printing as the surface better holds ink, preventing smearing or fading.

Laid Paper

Laid paper is a unique and elegant textured paper, featuring criss-cross ribbed lines across its surface. It’s perfect for creating distinctive stationery products. Letterheads, envelopes, business cards – all to give your corporate communication the professional touch it deserves!

Linen Paper

Linen paper is an ideal choice for business stationery, giving documents a professional feel. The fine and evenly spaced lines running across the surface add subtle texture to any printed item. Creating a charming aesthetic similar to that produced by classic laid finish stocks.

Coated One Side and Coated Two Sides Paper

C1S paper (coated one side) and C2S paper (coated two sides) are two common types of coated paper. What is the difference between these two? C1S only has coating on one side of the sheet. C2s has coating on both sides – giving a glossy finish that’s perfect for postcards!

Paper Weight

Most commonly measured in pounds, points

Pounds refer to the weight of a ream (500 sheets) of paper, while points measure the thickness of a single sheet. Paper with higher pound numbers is thicker than one with a lower number. In contrast, points measure the thickness of a single sheet of paper. A higher point number indicates that the paper is thinner than one with fewer points.

Generally the higher the pounds or points, the thicker and stiffer the paper. For example, 20# (or pound) text or bond paper is equivalent to a standard writing or copy paper, while 100# (or pound) cover is thicker and more suitable for postcards and business cards.

Through the use of reliable measurement systems such as pounds and points, paper weight can tell us much about a sheet’s thickness. Heavier-weighted papers create thicker sheets with a more pleasing appearance than lighter counterparts.

To help in selecting between different types of paper, three general categories have been established. Writing paper is for documents. Text weights used mostly within books or catalogs. Cover stocks that provide higher quality printing on products like folders or postcards.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the possible choices related to this subject. Understanding these will help you make better decisions regarding commercial printing projects!

Writing Paper Weight

A letterhead-weight stock, typically 24# or 28# writing, and could have a watermark.

Text Paper Weight

Text weight is thicker than a writing paper, but not as thick as a cover paper (card stock). Text-weight paper is usually a 70#, 80# or 100# text.

Cover Paper Weight

Cover stocks are heavy in weight, rigid and not easily folded. Common weights for cover stocks include: 65#, 80#, 100#, 120#, and 12pt.

Paper Opacity

Choosing paper is more than just picking a color or texture – its paper opacity can drastically influence the effect of your printed project. Opacity in paper hinge upon factors like weight, ingredients and absorbency.

Complete transparency has an index score of 0%. Full coverage sits at 100% opacity. Tracing paper would have a low opacity. Knowing how to balance paper for varied prints will add greater depth to any design!

Is your printing company having trouble sourcing coated printing paper?

We have made strategic moves to have the gloss paper types you need.

Request an Estimate

Contact Us

In recent months, the printing industry has been suffering from a severe paper shortage. With demand significantly exceeding supply, many companies are feeling the pinch and are struggling to meet their clients’ needs. Global events like the pandemic have made the issue worse, leading to longer lead times and reduced availability of common types of papers. As uncertainty continues to loom over the industry, it remains vital for companies to stay informed about current market conditions so they can find creative solutions to beat the paper supply chain problems.