Printing Paper Options
When thinking about a print product, most people consider design to be most important. But, the equally important part of the product is the paper you use.
This is a vast subject, but the goal of this blog post is to help you make an informed decision regarding paper. So, let’s get started.
There are different kinds of coated and uncoated stock.
Uncoated stock absorbs ink better, and it is a good option when you want to be able to write on the product. The uncoated finish is ideal when a slick and shiny look is not desired. Be aware that you will lose some of the sharpness in the details when printing on uncoated paper stock.
Coated stock is more durable than uncoated; it shows signs of usage less and is excellent for making the details pop. It is also harder to fold than the uncoated paper. Stock can be coated on both sides, or just one.
You also need to know that thin papers are usually measured in lb, and the measure for cover or card stock is pt.
CARD STOCK
Newprint mostly uses card stock ranging from 12 pt. to 16 pt. for print materials that need to be thicker than paper, but not as thick as packaging.
12 pt. Card Stock is slightly lighter than the average business card and is suitable for items that fold, such as greeting cards.
14 pt. Card Stock, if uncoated, is similar to thick index cards, though the finish is much higher quality. It is very versatile, and the firm 14 pt. stock folds precisely. Coated 14 pt. card stock is commonly used for presentation folders, postcards and bookmarks. It is thick, stiff and functional.
16 pt. Card Stock, when coated, is not ideal for folding unless scored first, because of its thickness. This is a perfect stock for postcards, door hangers and presentation folders.
PACKAGING
For packaging, Newprint offers 18 pt. or 24 pt. SBS or CFNB paper stock.
SBS is used for packaging everyday products, including food and beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The bleaching process gives SBS white colour, both inside and out.
CFNB has natural brown kraft interior with a white exterior.
TEXT & COVER PAPER
Text and cover stock options are numerous, and below are some of the most commonly used:
60 lb Uncoated Text is known as book or offset paper. This is a thinner, lightweight stock that is often used for publication interiors, sell sheets and letterheads.
70 lb Uncoated Text is a smooth, mid-weight stock that is ideal for letterheads, proposals, personal and professional communication. This is a top choice for multi-page saddle books up to 64 pages, and long runs of flyers. It can also be used for coil or perfect bound books with a high page count (up to 400 pages).
80 lb Uncoated Text is often used for brochures. or the inside pages of catalogs. It is ideal for detailed, crisp printing without sacrificing the ability to write on the paper easily.
100 lb Uncoated Paper - this luxurious paper provides an ideal surface for excellent coverage. This stock is used for high-end notepads, sketchbooks or catalogs.
Smooth Rolland Enviro Paper - this is a reliable, multipurpose paper, ideal for commercial printing. It is an ecological alternative that displays an impeccable look and rich colour quality every time. This paper is used for high-end magazines and publications, brochures, mass-mailing, and all other promotional pieces that need an ecological touch.
Gloss Text can be about as thick as a light magazine cover or heavier weight. It is best used on full-colour designs, photographs or bold patterns since it has excellent colour-contrast qualities. Typical uses include brochures printing, catalog inserts, flyers and posters.
80 lb Silk Text is finely coated with a non-gloss finish that provides an excellent opaque base for easy to read, crisp typography. It is often used for brochures, newsletters, catalog inserts, and flyers.
100 lb Uncoated Cover - a smooth uncoated finish makes this paper perfect for booklet covers, as well as brochures or postcards that need to be written on. It is best for light coverage artwork, as bright colours and images tend to look muted.
100 lb Uncoated Cover FSC® has the same properties as the 100 lb Uncoated Cover, but it is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified, denoting the paper is produced via responsible forestry, so is excellent for those who are environmentally conscious.
100 lb Gloss Cover stock is designed to fold cleanly and provide structure for a softcover book. It is perfect for the covers of catalogs and booklets as the gloss finish is ideal for images, bold patterns, and bright colours.
100 lb White Linen Cover is imparting a sophisticated touch with a subtle, woven, fabric-like finish. This elegant paper offers a unique non-glossy look to business cards and greeting cards.
100 lb Desert Storm Kraft Cover - this uncoated cover is a lighter shade of kraft with a slightly rough texture. Kraft paper is a unique choice for business cards, hang tags, and packaging.
100 lb Silk Cover has a stiff, heavy feel, and a silky matte. It is an excellent choice for catalog and booklet covers, postcards, and other promotional items.
Different finishing options are available for most of these paper types, and the most commonly used are:
Gloss/Matte UV - a high-gloss/matte coating is applied to the paper, which is cured with Ultra Violet light. This coating is making images and colours look more bright and vibrant and protects against scuffing. Since the coating is oil-based, it repels ink. It would be best not to use it with any application that needs to be written on, even with pen or felt-tipped markers. However, if you need the piece to be written on with pens or markers, there is an option for you. High-gloss coating can be applied to the front only, and the back of the piece can be matte.
Lamination (Silk/Gloss/Soft Touch) – lamination provides protection and structure. It will go right to the edge of the piece with no lip, so it should not be used if the item might be exposed to liquids.
Semi-Gloss AQ (short for Aqueous Coating) - this is a semi-gloss, environmentally friendly, water-based coating to provide additional gloss and protection. You can write on it with a ballpoint pen. This coating can be applied to one or both sides of the printed piece.
PAPER OPTIONS FOR LABELS AND STICKERS
White Vinyl labels have permanent adhesive and repositionable options. Both options are water-resistant. Permanent adhesive is long-lasting, and ideal for indoor and outdoor purposes because it can withstand extreme temperatures, like freezers. The repositionable choice is suitable for indoor purposes when there is no need for permanent adhesives, such as hand labeling.
60 lb Gloss Crack and Peel is the most common label stock, used where moisture resistance is not required, for indoor applications. The bright white paper and semi-gloss surface are ideal for colour reproduction, and the weight of the paper reduces tearing or wrinkling during application. If gloss is not the best option for your label, Crack and Peel come in uncoated and matte style too.
Clear Gloss Label / Permanent Adhesive - This clear label has a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive and can be used in the freezer, but it is not dishwasher safe. It can be used for outdoor and indoor application. We do not recommend you to use light colors, due to the transparency of the stock (light colours will also be transparent as there is no opaque background). It is best that the artwork only contains dark colours.
NCR FORMS
An NCR form is printed on the unique kind of paper. It is a multi-part form assembled using carbonless copy paper (which refers to NCR paper). An NCR form allows multiple copies of a handwritten or impact-printed document to be created at the same time. NCR forms produce speedy and economical copies of an original document. They often come in handy for proposals, contracts, invoices, work orders, sales receipts, requisitions, purchase orders, delivery documents, medical and insurance forms, employment applications, and virtually any other document that requires multiple copies.
WATERPROOF PAPER OPTIONS
10 pt. Soft Vinyl Synthetic - This synthetic clay-coated soft vinyl 10 pt. substrate is stronger than laminated paper, more environmentally friendly than other plastics, and more cost-effective than other synthetic substrates in the market. It is also tear-, grease-, and chemical-resistant, as well as being waterproof. It is thick and heavy, similar to a cover stock with a very smooth matte finish which provides excellent ink holdout and rapid drying time. Its applications are infinite, but include manuals, datasheets, guides, menus, sizing charts, maps, posters, signage, POP advertising, tags and anything that needs to be durable.
10 pt. White Polyester Plastic - A great alternative to traditional lamination. Printing on SYNAPS XM is less expensive and prevents common flaws in the lamination process like de-lamination, wrinkles, and frayed edges. SYNAPS XM is best for applications like menus, instruction manuals, catalogs, maps, ID cards, plant stakes, placemats, medical charts, recipe cards, scored table tents, point-of-purchase signage, business cards, book covers, sales collateral and direct mailing pieces. This product does not fold as well as a soft vinyl cover as it’s a polyester-based synthetic, so it should be used for flat items.
In addition to having numerous paper options, Newprint lets you choose your paper brand as well. Furthermore, we offer a “go green” paper at no extra cost on the majority of our products. This paper is the same excellent quality as our regular paper choices. Our “go green” paper is a composite of post-consumer fiber, recycled paper and virgin pulp derived from sustainably managed forests. These sustainably managed forests help to clean our air, control erosion, and provide environmentally friendly jobs.
You can find out more about some of our suppliers - NEENAH, Mohawk, Sappi, Sappi on their websites.