How to choose paper
for a print job.

Paper is part of the job

Paper is more than the carrier of the print. It determines how a printed piece feels in the hand, how colour reproduces, how well it withstands use, how it behaves in folding and binding, and what the job weighs and costs. It should be chosen for the purpose of the piece, not for appearance alone.

Coated or uncoated

• Coated papers. These have a smooth surface, in a silk or gloss finish. Ink sits on the surface, giving strong colour and fine detail in images. They are the usual choice for catalogues, leaflets and promotional print.
• Uncoated papers. These have a natural feel and absorb more ink, so colours appear softer. They can be written on and stamped, and are preferred for letterheads, forms and instructions for use.

The same artwork looks different on each. Where colour is critical, the type of paper should be settled before the artwork is prepared. See also: CMYK or Pantone.

Weight

Paper weight is expressed in grams per square metre (gsm). As a guide:

• Lightweight papers. For pieces with many folds and a small finished size, such as instructions for use.
• 80 to 100 gsm. Letterheads, office stationery and text pages of books.
• 115 to 170 gsm. Leaflets, posters and text pages of catalogues.
• 200 to 350 gsm. Covers, cards, presentation folders and packaging items.

Bulk and opacity

Two papers of the same weight are not necessarily the same thickness. A bulkier sheet feels more substantial without adding weight, which matters for postage. For work printed on both sides, opacity matters too, so that the print on one side does not show through on the other.

Grain direction

The fibres in paper run in one direction, known as the grain. A fold along the grain is clean; a fold across it may crack the surface, particularly on heavier stocks, which need creasing before they are folded. Grain direction also affects how a book or catalogue opens. It is taken into account in production planning, provided the finished format and folds are known from the start.

End use and finishing

Paper is chosen together with the finishing that follows: folding, binding, coating or lamination. Printed items and packaging that come into contact with food require materials suitable for that use, with the corresponding documentation. More on our finishing and converting page.

Origin and documentation

Where paper comes from matters more and more, as the European framework calls for a documented supply chain. See our article on the EUDR regulation.

Our approach

At Terzidis Print we print paper and board from 40 to 400 gsm, using European raw materials with full traceability. If you have not yet settled on a stock, describe the intended use in your quote request and we will recommend a suitable paper.