I‘m excited to provide you an insider‘s overview to the major paper types used in printing along with tips to select the perfect paper for your next project. Whether you need to print bold photographs, sturdy flyers or secure legal docs, paper choices directly impact results.
This guide will arm you with in-depth knowledge on paper characteristics so you can confidently match printing goals with appropriate paper selections. Soon you‘ll be that production guru with the answers on paper grades!
But first, let‘s level-set on why understanding papers matters…
Why Paper Selection Influences Printing Outcomes
Beyond appearance, paper has physical and chemical properties influencing project success. Consider:
Textured papers add tactile richness but fine details printed on their uneven surfaces often appear blurred
Coated paper produces vibrant prints but lacks the formal professional feel of uncoated sheets
Papers with transparency inspire creative overlays but show distracting back-side content during double-sided printing
And it goes far beyond just look and feel…
Properties like density, filler ratios, coating absorptivity and moisture resistance directly impact the printing process from equipment settings to drying times and post-print handling.
Simply put – mismatch paper with process or objectives, and print quality suffers.
That‘s why we‘ll cover these key considerations when selecting paper:
- Frequent folding needs? Cardstock prevents cracking.
- Photographic prints? High gloss photo stock adds visual pop.
- Greeting cards? Consider specialty paper with holiday colors.
Now that you see paper‘s production influence, let‘s examine major paper varieties used in printing along with their attributes.
Bond Paper
Known for its exceptional sturdiness, bond paper contains higher cotton content than wood pulp…
