Paper types from K Design Marketing, Inc.

Paper selection is an important part of design and production.
Selecting a paper can be confusing; there are a number of different types and brands of paper available today. When selecting paper, be sure to keep in mind that the choice you make for your project will affect how it the printed piece is perceived. Before selecting the final paper, it is a good idea to have a paper sample for each paper you are considering for your project.

What are the differences in papers?

Paper Types:

Offset: Also known as book or text paper, offset paper can have a coated or uncoated finish. Offset paper is thinner and lightweight. It is often used for publication interior sheets, brochures & fliers, and letterheads. Common offset weights: 50#,
60#, 70#, 80# and 100#.

Bond/Writing: Bond or writing papers are most often used for letterhead. The most commonly recognized bond or writing stocks are:

• 20# - A standard weight paper.
• 24# - The preferred weight for most business papers (letterheads).
• 28# - Heavier paper, less frequently used, usually has problems running through laser printers.

Text: Text stocks are lighter in weight, and can be easily folded. These papers are generally used for stationery, brochures, flyers, inserts and posters. They can have coated or uncoated finishes. Common weights for cover stocks include: 60#, 70# and 80#.

Cover: Cover stocks are heavy in weight, rigid and not easily folded. These papers are generally used for publication covers, business cards, greeting cards, folders, and postcards. They can have coated or uncoated finishes. Common weights for cover stocks include: 65#, 80#, 100#, 120#, 12pt, 14pt and 16pt.

Tag: Tag paper is a dense grade of paper that is strong, durable, and water resistant. Tag paper is typically used for hanging tags such as store tags on clothing or other products.
Index: Index paper is a stiff, not too thick, inexpensive paper with a smooth finish. It is often used for index cards and folders.

Vellum Bristol: Vellum bristol paper is a smooth finish, fast-drying, high-yield paper that is great for medium to heavyweight applications, including direct mail, greeting cards, invitations, brochures and covers.

Fiber: Fiber papers are not entirely made from wood pulp, but include some characteristic plant fiber that gives them their character. Cotton fiber paper is the most common example, but many fiber papers include more exotic materials. Fiber papers may be handmade or machine made, and may include traditional or newly conceived approaches and materials. When the addition of fiber is decorative, fiber paper is considered an inclusion paper. It is available in both cover and text weights and is used in a variety of applications.

Recycled: Recycled paper is manufactured from recovered waste paper. It usually uses no new trees and is chlorine free or processed chlorine free. It is available in both cover and text weights and is used in a variety of applications.

Paper Finish: The finish of a paper is it's surface texture. Uncoated and coated paper have different surface textures.

Wove or Smooth: smooth uncoated surface.

Laid: paper that is manufactured with textured lines on its surface. This finish is used mostly for business stationery elements, like letterhead, envelopes and business cards. It is available in both cover and text weights.

Linen: similar to a laid finish, this paper has textured lines on the surface of the sheet, but they are finer and more regular than those that appear on a laid finish stock. This paper is also used frequently for business stationery. It is available in both cover and text weights.

Laser: paper that is guaranteed to be compatible with laser printers.

Coated: paper with a waxy finish (shiny or matte). It is available in both cover and text weights.

Uncoated: paper with an untreated surface that is dull and unreflective.

Coated One Side (C1S): cover stock that has a coating on one side and is dull on the reverse side. It is available in cover weights.

Coated Two Sides (C2S): cover stock that has a coating on both sides. It is available in cover weights.

Weight: The weight of a paper refers to its thickness and is measured in pounds (#). The higher the number, the more weight a paper has (the thicker/heavier the paper).

Opacity: A paper's opacity is determined by its weight, ingredients and absorbency. A paper's opacity determines how much printing will show through on the reverse side of a sheet. Opacity is expressed in terms of it's percentage of reflection. Complete opacity is 100% and complete transparency is 0%.

Brightness: The brightness of a sheet of paper measures the percentage of a wavelength of blue light it reflects. The brightness of a piece of paper is typically expressed on a scale of 1 to 100 with 100 being the brightest. Most papers reflect 60-90% of light. The brightness of a paper affects readability, the perception of ink color and the contrast between light and dark hues.

This is a list of some of the most common paper types and paper elements. All papers come in a variety of color options and styles. Remember to make your paper choice part of your design element.