There is an amazing array of papers to choose from for any printing project.
The natural properties of paper vary widely in color, texture, weight, finish, printability, and price. The right paper will depend on a balance of all these elements.
FINISHES:
Uncoated— Without a shiny, slick surface. Also referred to as “offset.”
Coated— Made with a smooth, slick surface. There are many types of coated paper: dull, matte, satin, silk, gloss, high gloss. Some of these terms are interchangeable and depend on the manufacturer. (“Coated” should not be confused with “varnish” or other types of coatings applied after the ink is applied.) Paper coated during the milling process has a surface that is harder and less porous than uncoated paper.
GRADES:
Premium is the highest grade, superior in whiteness and/or printability, then there is Number One, Number Two and other lower grades like tag, index, newsprint, etc.
WEIGHTS:
C1S and C2S—These mean “Coated 1 Side” and “Coated 2 Side.” Weights for this type of paper are usually expressed in “points.” (See below.)
Text Weight— Lightweight paper. Usually comes in “pounds” (indicated by #) such as 60#, 70# and 100#. Text weight paper is easily folded. May be coated or uncoated.
Bond— A form of text weight paper. This term is usually applied to stationery grades. Bond may have a “watermark” stamped lightly into the paper at the mill.
Cover Weight— Heavier paper. Comes in “pounds” or “points.” For example, 100# cover is roughly equivalent to 10 pt. stock. Must usually be scored to fold cleanly. May be coated or uncoated.
There are some uncommon weights like 67# or 111# for unusual papers.
STYLES:
Smooth— No discernable texture.
Linen— Has a cross-hatch texture reminiscent of linen fabric.
Laid— Has a bumpy texture, with a random or regular pattern.
Synthetic— Not really paper at all, or paper mixed with non-paper material.
Recycled— Many papers actually have recycled content, but most of that content is recycled at the mill (rather than post-consumer).
Translucent— Not entirely opaque. Levels of opacity vary widely. Translucent papers have special production and mailing issues.
Index and Tag— These are utilitarian (low) grades used for index tabs, folders, tags, etc. They often come in odd sizes and weights.
Duplex— Refers to paper that is manufactured to be one color on one side and another color on the other side. These are usually cover weights and are relatively expensive.
COLORS:
There is a nearly infinite variety of paper colors, and their names are entirely dependent on the manufacturer. What might be termed “natural white” by one mill may be called “manila” by another. Not to be confused with brightness, which refers to the whiteness of the paper; brightness is expressed in terms of 94, 97 etc. Even “white” paper can vary greatly: some whites are blue-white, some more yellow-white.
SIZES:
Parent Sheet— Also referred to as “press sheet.” A large sheet of paper that will have multiple images of the final piece printed on it. (If the final piece fits on the parent sheet 8 times, it is said to be printed “8-up.”) Parent sheets come from the mill, and are ordered from local paper merchants, in certain sheet sizes. Common sizes include:
8.5" x 11" 23" x 35" 20" x 26" 25" x 38" 26" x 40"
Printers often refer to sizes in terms like, “23 by 35” or “26 by 40,” or just “23-35” or “26-40.” There are also odd sizes for things like chipboard.
Sizes of parent sheets (in the United States) are all designed to accommodate a multiple of 8.5” x 11”, depending on whether the final piece bleeds or not.
ENVELOPES:
#10— Most common business size.
#9— Fits inside a #10; often used for a reply envelope.
Remittance— Small envelope often used for returning payments; some have a long flap (referred to as a “wallet flap”).
Catalog— Opens on short side. Sizes like 9" x 12", 10" x 13", 6" x 9", etc.
Booklet— Opens on long side. Same sizes as catalog envelopes.
Social— Sizes commonly used for invitations, announcements, etc. Sized in terms like A-2, A-4, A-6 etc. The “A” refers to “announcement” and indicates a square flap. Similar “baronial” sizes, that have a pointed flap; sizes are expressed in terms like 6-Bar (same as an A-6 except with a pointed flap).
Monarch— Also referred to as Executive. A smaller business size, not used much these days.
Inside Tint— Also referred to as a security tint. The “tint” is a pattern printed on the inside surface of the paper to prevent reading through the envelope from the outside. Often used by financial institutions.
Converting— The process of manufacturing an envelope by printing a flat press sheet and sending it to another manufacturer who “converts” it into an envelope. Printing on a pre-made envelope has limitations; printing/converting allows for more flexibility but costs much more and takes longer. Is sometimes required to accurately produce an envelope with complicated graphics.
NOTE: When starting a project that involves an envelope, it is important to look for the envelope before designing what will go in it. Doing otherwise can add considerable time and expense to the project.
OTHER TERMS:
Grain— Paper has a grain pattern much as wood does. Usually the grain on a press sheet runs with the longer dimension, and that dimension will be expressed first, for example: 35” x 23.5” for many stationery grades. The grain direction of a press sheet affects the way the sheet runs through the press and can affect the overall quality of the finished piece. The grain direction of a printed piece can affect the folding and how easily the piece runs through a laser printer later.
Watermark— The branded image worked into finer sheets of paper (like stationery grades) in the manufacture of the paper. Is faintly visible when held up to the light.
Mill Item— Paper merchants carry a wide range of papers, weights and sheet sizes on the floor which are available same-day or next-day. Papers, weights and sizes that are not as popular must often be ordered from the mill. This can add a week or two to the paper-ordering process and cost can be at a premium. Most items which must be ordered from the mill must be ordered in full cartons, sometimes full skids or a certain number of pounds.
WE CAN ADVISE YOU.
Because of the large number of variable elements in paper specification, asking us for advice can simplify the process and produce a better product. Some papers may seem to be ideal for certain creative approaches; your printer can consult with you about the availability, cost, and printability of any type of paper you might be considering.