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The Ultimate Guide to the Different Types of Paper for Printing

Paper remains the most important part of everyday life, even amid the increase in online payment and the rise of e-kindles. Do some papers have different colors and styles? Yeah! Different kinds of papers can serve different purposes. We have created a variety of paper products for everyone to enjoy. Continue reading to learn more!

There are several different types of papers out here. They differ in form and function as well as weight or thickness. Each has unique designs for printing. The different varieties are therefore exciting.

Request our free sample kit to get a first-hand impression of paper stock and coatings.

Please refer to the table at the bottom of this page for weight and thickness.

Sample Kid


Different Types of Papers for Printing

Today, paper is produced from many different materials. Besides printing and publishing, the material is used for the protection and packaging of goods, to record transactions or activities, to provide decorative materials, or to transport other materials, for example.

Here is a list of some common types of papers and their potential uses.

1. Bond Paper

Bond paper is a type of printing paper made from wood pulp. It is one of the most commonly used wood pulp papers in the printing industry because it is affordable and versatile. Bond paper is also called copier paper. This wood pulp bond paper includes copier paper posters, newsprint paper, flyers, brochures, and business cards.

It is inexpensive and has a smooth surface that is ideal for printing text and graphics. However, bond paper is not as durable as other wood pulp paper types and can yellow over time.

2. Glossy or Gloss Coated Paper

Glossy paper is a type of coated paper that has a glossy finish. These types of paper are often used for photo printing because it gives photos a bright and vibrant appearance. Gloss-coated paper is also popular for creating marketing materials, such as brochures, scrapbook paper, and leaflets. Gloss-coated paper is more expensive than other paper types and can be difficult to write.

3. Matte Paper

Matte paper is a type of uncoated paper that has a dull finish. These paper types are often used for black and white printing because they provide better contrast than gloss-coated paper. Matte paper is also popular for creating documents that will be read for long periods, such as books and manuals.

Bond Paper Glossy Paper or Gloss Coated Paper Matte Paper


4. Cardstock

Cardstock paper is a heavy-duty business form paper that is often used for creating greeting cards, postcards, and business cards. Cardstock is available in a variety of weights, which makes it versatile for a variety of projects.

Cardstock is acid-free paper and more durable than bond paper. It will not yellow over time. However, it is more expensive and difficult to print on if you do not have high-quality printer paper.

5. Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is a specialty paper often used for important documents, such as certificates and diplomas. Parchment paper is also popular for elegant invitations and announcements.

6. Kraft Paper

Kraft paper is a type of paper that is made from recycled materials. It is a thick, brown paper commonly used for packaging and wrapping. These types of paper are also used for making newsprint paper, posters, signs, paper bags, wax paper, cotton paper, memo paper, or craft paper.

Kraft paper is a strong, durable, and acid-free paper that can be recycled multiple times.

Cardstock Kraft Paper


Types of Coatings

Aqueous Coating

Aqueous Coating is a non-toxic, smooth water-based coat that gives the paper a slight shine and makes colors more vivid. It also deters dirt and fingerprints. It is done in line, flood coated on the press.

UV Coating

UV Coating is a high-gloss lamination applied to the printed sheet and dries instantly by exposure to ultraviolet light. It is applied as a separate finishing operation as a flood coating or (applied by screen printing) as a spot coating.

UV Coating improves durability (scuff and dirt resistance) and look (vibrant colors, sharper graphics) and makes for an all-around sturdier product. UV Coating gives more protection and sheen than either varnish or Aqueous Coating. Keep in mind that this thick Coating may crack when scored or folded.

You cannot write or print on UV-coated surfaces.
(See below: "Writing on Coated Surfaces.")

Since it is cured with light, not heat, solvents do not enter the atmosphere. However, it is more difficult to recycled paper than other coatings.

Spot UV Gloss Coating

Spot UV is a partial UV gloss-coated paper applied to enhance special elements of your design or can be used or achieve additional special effects. The printer paper item will have a matte finish, and only the areas you assigned this UV coating will appear glossy.

For this type of print enhancement, you need to submit a PDF file and prepare your print files accordingly to match the requirements for spot UV printing. Please see our instructions for file preparation with Spot UV for help.

Aqueous Coating UV Coating Spot UV Coating


Writing on Coated Surfaces

Use permanent markers or ballpoint pens to ensure your handwriting stays on coated surfaces. We recommend writing on coated prints with permanent markers like, e.g., Sharpie's Fine Point or Ultra Fine Point Permanent Marker. They come in various colors.

A standard ballpoint pen like BIC's Cristal may also do a good job on dull covered stock, although it may dry slightly slower depending on the ink. UV Coating is the hardest to write on.

If the ability to write on the print is important to your product, please order our free sample kit and try your favorite pens on the paper stocks yourself.

Text/Book Paper Stocks

The following text stocks are sorted from heaviest to lightest; please see cover/card stocks further down if you need heavier paper stocks.

120 lb Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

120 lb Gloss Book is the heaviest of our medium-weight paper stocks and can be easily rolled. It is coated on both sides with an Aqueous Coating. We offer this paper stock for flyers and brochures.

120 lb Dull Book with Matte Finish

This is the matte equivalent to Gloss Book paper stock above. We offer this paper stock for flyers, brochures, and posters. This paper stock is recommended if you print posters in large sizes (24x36" upwards) or art print posters and would like a heavier feel than our standard 90 lb book offers.

100 lb Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

100 lb Gloss Book is a medium-weight paper mache that can be easily rolled, unlike the more rigid 100 lb Gloss Cover. It is coated on both sides with an Aqueous Coating and is often used for Catalogs and Door Hangers.

90 lb Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

120lb Gloss Book 120lb Dull Book 100lb Gloss Book


90 lb Gloss Book is a medium-weight paper commonly used for brochures, flyers, and posters. It is coated on both sides with an Aqueous Coating.

90 lb Dull Book with Matte Finish

This is the matte equivalent to 90 lb Gloss Book paper stock above. We offer this paper stock for flyers, brochures, and posters.

80 lb Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

As Gloss Book covers stocks above, but light and thin specialized paper.

Recycled 80 lb Dull Text with Matte Finish

This recycled paper stock is finely coated with a non-gloss finish. It provides an excellent opaque base for easy-to-read, crisp typography. Contains recovered fiber from pre- or post-consumer sources, or both.

90lb Gloss Book 90lb Dull Book 80lb Gloss Book


80 lb Poster Paper Outdoor

Durable Outdoor Paper with a blue backside blocks out underlying content and reduces show-through from previous advertisements the poster is glued over. This paper is weather resistant and does not wrinkle when wet or when the glue is applied. The surface has a subtle shine and is rougher to the touch than our standard poster paper stocks.

70 lb Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

This paper stock is available for lightweight posters as well as catalogs. It is coated on both sides with an Aqueous Coating. This paper stock is a good choice for budget-friendly short-lived projects, such as indoor advertisement posters or mailings.

Please be advised that in catalog print, it is best suited for light designs to counter see-through that will occur with very dark images and text.

70 lb Dull Book with Matte Finish

This is the matte equivalent to the 70 lb Gloss Book above. This lightweight paper stock is available for flyers and brochures.

80lb Poster Paper 70lb Gloss Book 70lb Dull Book


70 lb Offset Opaque Smooth White Paper

An uncoated, smooth, and silky yet solid paper with excellent InkJet paper and Laser printability. Used for Letterhead and Notepads. Heavy ink (high color density) and brown/burgundy colors are not recommended silk coated paper. For best results, use light colors.

60 lb Offset Opaque Smooth White Paper

As 70 lb Offset paper, but slightly thinner and lighter (slightly heavier than the tissue paper or toilet paper). Heavy ink (high color density) and brown/burgundy colors are not recommended. For best results, use light colors. This paper stock is available for flyers and brochures.

60 lb Offset Neon Paper

This lightweight florescent paper stock is available for posters printed 1/0 (black). We offer four florescent colors: green, magenta, orange, and yellow.

70lb Offset 60lb Offset 60lb Offset


50 lb Gloss Book with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

This thin tracing paper stock is available for lightweight flyers, rolling paper, and brochures. This thin paper is coated on both sides with an Aqueous Coating. This thin tracing paper is most suitable for budget-friendly, short-lived projects.

Please be advised that this inner and outer paper layer stock is best used for 4/0 prints (blank back) or very light-colored designs with low ink coverage due to the see-through of the thin tissue paper. Too high ink coverage and large-scale pictures will affect the readability of the content negatively, and we recommend a thicker paper stock in those cases.

50lb Gloss Book

Cover/Card Stocks

The following card stocks are sorted from light to heavy.

100 lb Gloss Cover with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

Similar to the 100 lb Gloss Book, but thicker and heavier. It is coated on both sides with an Aqueous Coating. Often used for durable, heavy Brochures, Catalog covers, Flyers, and Door Hangers.

100 lb Dull Cover with Aqueous Coating (C2S)

The dull equivalent to the above paper stock. We offer this paper stock for heavy Brochures and Flyers.

100 lb Gloss Cover with UV Coating

Gloss-coated coverstock for durable Flyers.

100lb Gloss Cover 100lb Dull Cover 100lb Gloss Cover


Recycled 100 lb Dull Cover with Matte Finish

This recycled paper pulp stock is finely coated with a non-gloss finish. It provides an excellent opaque base for easy-to-read, crisp typography. Contains recovered fiber from pre- or post-consumer sources, or both.

14 pt Gloss Coated Cover with UV Coating

Heavyweight gloss coated card stock with UV Coating for added protection. Often used for Business Cards, Postcards, Rack Cards, Presentation Folders, and Greeting Cards.

14 pt Gloss Coated Cover with Aqueous Coating

Heavyweight gloss card stock, coated on both sides with Aqueous Coating. This aqueous silk-coated paper stock is available for Flyers.

Recycled 100lb Dull Cover 14pt Gloss Coated Cover 14pt Gloss Coated Cover


14 pt Premium Uncoated/Offset Cover

High-quality, heavy- to medium-weight cardstock paper with a high brightness factor. Uncoated paper has a more natural feel and a good surface for handwriting. Often used for Business Cards, Brochures, Flyers, and Postcards.

16 pt Dull Cover with Matte Finish

A little (about 15%) thicker and heavier than 14 pt. The matte finish still provides sharpness and vividness, but without a shiny surface. Applying UV-coating, however, will make the product very glossy. Often used for Business Cards, Postcards, Rack Cards, Presentation Folders, and Greeting Cards.

18 pt / 170 lb Dull Cover with Aqueous Coating

Thicker and heavier than all previous cover stocks. This thick card stock with an aqueous coating is available for flyers.

14pt Premium Cover 16pt Dull Cover 18pt / 170lb Dull Cover


Sticker Paper Stocks:

60 lb Crack and Peel Sticker Paper with UV Coating (C1S)

These labels are cut to size (not on a roll) and include a scored peel-away backing and removable adhesive. The glossy finish promotes excellent detail to complement our high-quality printing. Stickers are for indoor use only.

table

The above measures should be used as general guidelines only. Since paper is a natural product, it is affected by a few factors, and minor deviation is possible and beyond our control.

All papers are available with our Online Printing Service.

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