As your full-service commercial printing company, Ink4 offers these paper tips to make your next project great. Got questions? Contact one of our printing specialists at (864) 576-1109.
- The most difficult job in selecting the right paper is the overwhelming number of options available.
- Becoming educated regarding your options is critical.
- Paper is primarily categorized as coated, uncoated and specialty.
- Uncoated paper generally requires more drying time.
- Cost can be the major consideration when considering paper selection.
- White is by far the most popular color of choice. However, selecting the right shade of white can be a job within itself.
- The primary considerations in paper selection are surface, color, brightness, opacity, grain, basis weight, caliper (thickness), bulk, sheet size and quantity.
- Sheet size is primarily determined by the size of the press it will run on.
- Paper is categorized text or cover. Cover weight stocks heavier in weight, more rigid and more difficult to fold.
- Ink coverage, especially heavy ink coverage, at folds can and will cause cracking. Make sure you discuss this with you printing consultant.
- Aqueous coating can resolve drying issues especially with coated paper.
- The most common text weight paper is 50#, 60#, 70#80# and 100#
- The most common cover weight stocks are 65#, 80#, 100#, 120# and 12 pt.
- Common weights for bond and writing stocks is 20#, 24# (preferred) and 28#.
Paper Weight Tables
Want to learn more about paper weight? Click here to learn more.
