noun
1.
The paper used for printing a particular piece.
CONTENT
- TYPES OF PAPER
- WEIGHTS ETC.
- HOW STOCK EFFECTS PRINT
Whether paper is coated or uncoated is distinguished by appearance.
Coated
Paper with a clay or other coating applied to one or both sides is coated paper. The coating can be dull, gloss, matte, or other finishes. Coated paper generally produces sharper, brighter images and has better reflectivity than uncoated paper.
Coated paper typically is smoother and has better ink holdout — is less absorbent — than uncoated paper making it more suitable for certain types of overprint finishing techniques such as flood or spot coating with varnish or other finish coatings. The coating may be applied while the paper is still going through the papermaking machine or it may be applied afterwards. Clay, latex, and other substances are mixed to create the coating
Uncoated
Generally more absorbent of ink than a coated paper, like its namesake, uncoated paper does not have a coating. It is generally not as smooth as coated paper and tends to be more porous. Uncoated paper is generally used for letterhead, envelopes and printed material that is aiming for a more prestigious or elegant look. College and University booklets, real estate brochures and menus for elegant restaurants are generally printed on uncoated paper to give them a prestigious feel.
Uncoated paper also has a range of paper options.
WEIGHTS OF PAPER
GSM or Grammes Per Square Metre is the measurement used when weighing paper sheet sizes. Although any weight of paper can be used for any printed item, there are generally a few unwritten guidelines we follow in order to make sure the finished product is suitable for its purpose.
For example, if you printed a business card onto a low-gsm paper it will feel flimsy and most probably give a negative view of your company. On the other hand you wouldn’t want to print an A2 poster onto a high-gsm paper stock either. It would certainly feel good quality but it wouldn’t be practical, the posters heavy weight would cost more in delivery and there is a greater chance of it falling down as well as being more bulky for transportation purposes.
Therefore there are general guidelines when printing these types of standard items, of course these are not set in stone and the application of paper weight to each item needs to be considered for every print project. Below are some standard print items and the gms weights used:
Corporate 24 page brochure – anything between 170gsm – 300gsm, an important point to remember is that the more pages printed onto a heavy stock increases the chances of the pages springing open and the brochure not laying flat.
Oversized A4 company literature folder – between 350gsm – 400gsm, folders are used to contain many different items whether datasheets, product sheets, note pads, invoices or proposals and as such need to be strong and study. A lightweight paper stock would simply fall apart under the stress.
Business cards – either 350gsm – 400gsm, business cards are generally your first introduction to a potential client and need to express your company and values suitably. To a customer, a flimsy lightweight business card, might be a reflection of your company and quality of your product or service.
A4 datasheet/insert sheet – between 170gsm – 250gsm, a datasheet promotes your company/products and can be presented within folders, presentation wallets or literature dispensers (possibly at an exhibition) and is generally of a medium-weight feel.
This is especially important when choosing specialist paper stocks. Due to the way papers are manufactured, the fibres in some paper stocks are not as compacted as they are in others, even though their sheet-weight may be the same, some papers will appear to be thicker than others. Whatever the printed item and whatever its purpose is, each project needs to be considered carefully and the correct paper stock decided upon. Paper samples are always available and if necessary mock-ups can also be supplied to get a real feel for the finished item
SELECTING PAPER FOR PROJECTS
If you have a full color document with photographs or illustrations, you’ll get the most vibrant colors if you opt for a coated paper. Whether you choose a gloss, silk or matte finish it really comes down to your personal preference. Some people think that gloss is classy while others consider it to be a bit tacky. Uncoated paper can be used for full color projects but colors tend to be less vibrant and produce a natural, refined look. If your document is designed to be written on, your best option is to select an uncoated stock. You’ll find letterheads, stationary, invitations, etc. are almost always printed onto uncoated paper. If you’re simply after something cheap and cheerful most people think that a low quality uncoated paper is going to be the most economical option. That’s not always the case! Printing companies tend to buy a variety of both coated and uncoated stocks in bulk and therefore get very good rates. If you’re price hunting with a tight budget, ask your printer to use a more affordable stock but ask to see a sample first to avoid any surprises.
In any case, when choosing coated or uncoated papers, talk to us at Caliper Media about the effect you hope to achieve with your print work in terms of crispness vs warmth, subtlety vs vibrancy and economy vs style. We can guide you in selecting just the right combination of inks, paper textures, finish and coatings and print techniques that make your print job do exactly what you want it to.
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