what's the best paper for printing?
Paper choice is not something everyone considers when they ask for a printing quote. Yet, it has a significant bearing on how a finished item will look and be received. With this in mind, here's a quick paper guide which I hope will help you make the right choice for your printing.
There are two main types of paper: coated and uncoated paper.
coated paper
Coated paper, as the name suggests, is coated with a sealant that reduces the ink absorbency and gives the paper other qualities, including varying surface sheen and smoothness. Coated papers generally allow for cleaner/sharper printing, which makes them ideal for reproducing photos and printing dynamic colour gradients or blends.
Coated papers fall into three main categories of finish: gloss, silk/satin, and matt.
Gloss — Gloss-coated paper has the highest sheen of the papers we offer. Colour definition on gloss paper is excellent because of the reduced ink absorption. However, gloss-coated paper has become less popular in recent years, possibly because it is frequently used for low-budget flyers and unsolicited mail.
Satin/Silk — A satin/silk coating has a less shiny finish than a gloss coating. This paper is a popular compromise between matte and gloss finishes. Colours are still vivid, and images are sharp with this type of paper. Satin/silk paper is a popular choice for leaflet printing, such as the Merton College Passiontide leaflets we designed and printed.
Matt — A matt-coated paper is non-glossy and flat-looking, with little sheen. More opaque and with more bulk than gloss and satin papers, matt paper is generally more expensive and is a popular choice for high-end brochures and illustrated/photo books. Because it is coated, images are vibrant and sharp. A matt-coated paper was used for the Fabulous Flowers brochure, giving it the sophisticated, luxurious look and feel the business wanted.
uncoated Paper
As the name suggests, uncoated paper is not coated with a sealant. It is often used for business and wedding stationery as well as in text-only book printing. Despite its increasing popularity in leaflet printing, colour can look dull and images less sharp when printed on uncoated paper. A wide range of papers fall into the uncoated paper category: some common types are wove or smooth, linen, and laid.
Laid — Laid paper is created with textured lines on its surface. This finish is most commonly used for stationery.
Linen — This paper has finer and more regular textured lines on the surface than laid paper.
Wove or Smooth — This has a smooth surface and is often used in book printing.
coated one side
Most of the papers we use are coated or uncoated on both sides, but some occasions require paper that is coated on one side only, notably for greeting cards and postcards. This is because it is easier to write on uncoated paper. While it is possible to write on coated paper, generally, the higher the sheen, the more difficult it is.
paper weight
In the UK, paper is defined in terms of weight in grams per square meter (gsm). We generally print on weights ranging from 80gsm to 350gsm. This covers most use cases, although heavier weights can be created by bonding two sheets together, giving weights of up to 700gsm for really stiff card.
Generally, the heavier the paper, the thicker it is, although since paper thickness, or bulk, is also determined by the density of the fibres in the paper, two papers with the same weight can feel very different.
As a typical guide, we generally print the following items on these paper weights:
- Book text: 80-115gsm
- Business stationery: 100-120gsm
- Book cover jackets: 120-150gsm
- Paperback book covers: 200gsm
- Illustrated books: 120-170gsm
- Leaflets and fliers: 120-170gsm
- Postcards and greetings cards: 250-350gsm
- Business cards and invitations: 300-350gsm
paper opacity
A paper’s opacity determines how much printing will show through on the reverse side of a sheet. Opacity depends on the paper’s weight, ingredients, and absorbency. Generally, matt and satin-coated papers are more opaque than gloss papers.
paper colour
It's possible to print on a wide range of differently coloured paper. Plain coloured paper is also commonly used for the endpapers of casebound (hardback) books.
sustainability of paper
Paper is one of the few truly sustainable products; it is made from plant fibre, a natural and renewable material. In addition to its inherent sustainability, we also subscribe to a scheme to offset the CO2 produced in the manufacture, storage, and distribution of the paper we use. The Woodland Trust's Carbon Capture scheme funds the planting of native woodland across the UK and supports the UK’s Net-Zero strategy.
Paper is also one of the most recycled products in the world, and recycled paper is a popular choice for those wanting to demonstrate 'green' values.
We hope you found this brief guide to paper types useful. This is one of a series of quick guides aimed to give you a better understanding of design and printing-related topics, which include:
Of course, you don’t have to be an expert to work with us. We’re always happy to explain your options, share our printing know-how, and show you in person what results you can expect from different paper and printing techniques. Our goal is to help you achieve the results you want, within your budget and timeframe.
If you'd like to discuss which paper to specify in your next printing project, please call 01865 242098 or contact us using the button below.