Map & DirectionsHow to: Choose Your Paper
Topics: brightness | weight | size | surface | texture | opacity | grain direction | FSC certification
- Brightness/Whiteness
How bright do you want your paper to be?- brightness affects readability.
- Weight
- Weight, bulk, and caliper all refer to the thickness of the paper.
- Given the complex nature of these measurements, ask for samples before making a decision.
- Size
- Size refers to the dimensions of the paper, height x length before trimming.
- GREEN TIP: Consider the best way to use a given paper size before determining the dimensions of your finished design.
- Surface
Surface is also referred to as the paper finish.-
Coated:
- Includes gloss, matte, dull, and silk
- Smoother than uncoated. The smoother the surface, the less ink soaks into the paper.
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Uncoated:
- Includes textured and specialty stocks
- Requires more ink
- Less precise, but faster
- Uncoated stock is less reflective, and is a good choice for finished products that are intended to be written on or read extensively.
- Texture
- Texture refers to the subtle (or less subtle) way the paper feels. This also affects the appearance of the finished piece.
- Examples incude linen, felt and wove.
- Opacity
- Refers to the show-through of ink from the other side of the paper
- Grain Direction
- Papers can be grain long or grain short, which refers to the direction of the grain relative to the dimensions of the sheet.
- Grain direction can affect the stiffness of a fold.
