When crafting a design that is intended to be printed, it is essential to select paper most appropriate for displaying your final product. Consider the paper as part of your creation, as the look, feel, and color of the paper will affect the overall perception and impact of your design. By choosing the correct paper, you can more effectively communicate and amplify your complete product.
While exploring paper options, it is important to take into account paper weights, traits, and paper types that best align with your needs.
Paper Traits
All types of paper have different traits that make them different from each other. These factors can affect printability and color perception, and therefore your overall printed design. Here are a few paper traits to consider when selecting paper.
Formation
Formation refers to the uniformity and distribution of fibers within a sheet of paper. In a paper with good formation, the ink is able to absorb evenly into the paper, giving it a more even crisp print. Whereas for paper with weak formation, the ink will have a more molted and blotchy appearance when printed.
Opacity
Opacity refers to the amount of light that can pass through a sheet of paper. Opacity is measured in values from 1% (this being the most transparent) to 100% (the most opaque). Some other paper factors that influence opacity are the paper weight, brightness, fiber type, and coatings.
Brightness
Brightness refers to the percentage of light reflected from the paper’s surface. Paper brightness is measured on a scale from 0 (being the least bright) to 100 (being the most bright). Brightness isn’t directly related to the color or whiteness of a paper, as yellow or pink papers for example, can also have high brightness.
Finish/Smoothness
Finish refers to the smoothness (or lack thereof) of a paper. Paper has a wide range of finishes, from really rough to super smooth. The finish of a paper affects the ink absorption and holdout. The more smooth a paper is, the better the ink absorption.
Side-to-Side Consistency
Finished paper has two sides: the wire side and the felt side. Paper with smoother texture will have good consistency between both sides, and therefore print evenly on both sides.
Environmental Quality
For many paper consumers, the environmental qualities of paper is an important consideration when looking for paper. This can refer to both the use of recycled paper and the manufacturing methods of the paper.
Paper-Permanence
Paper permanence refers to the lifespan of a paper. Acid free paper, manufactured in alkaline environments, are less likely to experience chemical deterioration overtime. Additionally, archival papers contain additional elements that act as a buffer to outside acidic environments.
Paper Weights
When referring to paper weights, we are not referring to something to hold the paper down. We’re referring to the weight of the actual paper itself! Paper weight (or the paper thickness) is one of the main factors to think of when selecting a paper. Paper weight is measured in several different ways, listed below are the four methods of paper weight measurement.
Caliper
Caliper refers to the paper’s thickness. Caliper is measured in thousandths of an inch, and can be expressed as either .007 inches or 7 points. The caliper of a paper is affected by its basis weight and finish.
M Weight
M weight is the term used for the weight of 1,000 sheets of the given size.
Basis Weight
Basis weight can often be an area of much confusion. Each different paper category has its own basis weight. The weight of 500 sheets in the paper’s basic size is its basis weight. It’s always important to be mindful of the paper’s category type and weight when considering basis weight.
GSM
GSM is the measurement of paper weight in grams per square meter. The GSM scale is continuous, meaning that all the categories of paper use the same scale. This measurement system avoids confusion that is associated with basis weights and promotes a good sense of relative weights among papers.
Types of Paper
There are five main categories of paper: coated, offset and opaque, text and cover, writing, and speciality.
Coated Paper
Coated papers have a coating that is added to one or both sides of the sheet. Coating helps to limit the amount of ink absorbed into the paper, making it desirable for printing sharp images. Coated papers are classified by their finish, listed below are a few examples of popular finishes.
Cast-Coated
A mirror-like gloss surface. Super shiny!
Gloss
A shiny surface for crisp images in full-color printing.
Dull/Silk
Diffused, non gloss surface for solid ink lay and readability.
Matte
Low glare surface with a toothy feel, excellent readability.
Offset and Opaque Paper
Offset and opaque papers are uncoated with good internal bonding, high surface strength, and dimensional stability. These papers are typically sold in large volumes, and are best for things like long print runs and office printing.
Text and Cover Paper
Text and cover papers are two types of premium printing papers that come in a large array of colors and finishes. Text and cover stock are likely what a majority of students in the design program are most familiar with before the start of this course. Text paper is typically lighter and used for brochures, magazines, or booklets. Cover stock is typically heavier and used for business cards, packaging, and envelopes.
Text and cover come in many types of textures and tactile qualities, here are a few examples of popular text and cover textures.
Cockle
Cockle has a rough and wavy finish that simulates the feeling of handmade paper. In fact, a machine cockle finish is often designed to match the look of handmade paper.
Eggshell
Eggshell is usually found on uncoated and uncalendered paper. It is a fairly subtle but rough texture. This is the same type of finish on Van Patten’s business card, from the iconic American Psycho business card scene.
Felt
Felt finishes have a distinctive texture, with a soft resilient surface suitable for printing and specialty print processes.
Groove or Vertical
The wide or narrow linear patterns in groove or vertical papers are usually very pronounced and created by an off-machine embossing process.
Laid
A laid finish has a linear pattern often found in high-quality writing papers.
Linen
Linen finish is reminiscent of woven fabric.
Smooth
The smoothness of a paper is determined by how much the paper is calendered (pressed between rollers) on the paper machine.The more calendered, the smoother feel.
Vellum
Vellum finish is a more natural uncalendered machine finish, giving it a subtle roughness. Some describe it as having tooth, or being toothy.
Wove
Wove is a natural machine finish. It is a standard smooth even finish with no distinct pattern.
Writing Paper
Writing paper is specifically designed for letterhead and corporate stationery. They are made to perform best for writing in pen/pencil and inkjet printing.
Speciality Paper
Specialty is the broadest category when it comes to paper. A few examples of specialist papers could be: glitter paper, paper with shimmer, 100% cotton cover, translucent papers, paper with a non-standard weight, and much more.
To review, the choice of paper plays a critical role in shaping the visual and tactile experience of your final design. Considerations of paper traits, weights, and types is vital in selecting the paper that best compliments your work. By having awareness of the complexities of paper choices, you can amplify the message and impact of your creations.