Paper is an important factor in printing. We have a variety of papers, some thick, some thin. Some are glossy, while others are matte. How do you choose which type of paper to use?
Let’s start with the technical. Some terms will assist you in understanding the various options available.
Text vs. Cover
A cover weight paper will be thick, similar to cardstock in feel. Text weight papers are thinner and look more like catalog or magazine paper. A ” cover ” document will always be thicker than a paper labeled “text.” For example, 100# Gloss Cover will be wider than 100# Gloss Text. You can also tell the thickness difference by looking at the “point” or “pt” thickness. For example, a 100# Gloss Cover is 9pt, whereas a 100# Gloss Text is 5pt. You could measure the thickness of the paper yourself if you had a micrometer.
Gloss VS Matte
Gloss paper is lustrous and popular for most print projects. Matte paper has a “flat” appearance. It does not shine or reflect light, as well as gloss paper.
UV coating
Both the Gloss and Matte papers are coated, which means they are unsuitable for home printers. Gloss paper shines, but if you want something to really “Pop!” add a UV High Gloss Cover finish. This coating is only available on Cover paper and is commonly used for calendar projects and presentation folders.
Uncoated Paper
Because it is uncoated, this paper is similar to that used in a home printer. It is simple to write on and would be appropriate for a project such as a journal or coloring book. If your project calls for uncoated paper, we recommend our 70# Uncoated Text because it is thicker than regular paper used in a home printer, preventing ink from bleeding through the page.
Last words:
The page count will sometimes determine the paper for Booklet projects, which include Catalogs, Magazines, and Programs. If your booklet has 8-20 pages, 100# Gloss Text for the cover and inside pages is a good choice. We recommend using Cover Weight paper for the cover sheet and Text Weight paper for the inside pages when the page count is 24 or higher. You don’t have to do this, but you can use a Text Weight on the cover and inside pages. Using a Cover Weight for your cover paper is beneficial because it adds thickness and heft to your booklet.