Choosing the Right Paper for Printing
► Paper Types
- Matte
Matte paper is the most widely used type, characterized by a smooth finish with a dull, non-reflective coating. Its high absorbency allows ink to dry quickly, minimizing smudges and smears — ideal for professional, understated prints. - Glossy
Glossy paper features a shiny polymer coating that produces vivid, sharp images and rich colors. Ink takes longer to dry on glossy surfaces, which can increase the risk of smudging during handling. - Bright White
Brighter than standard printer paper, bright white paper has a smooth, non-textured surface with a distinctive white coating. It enhances the clarity and contrast of text and images, perfect for high-quality printing projects.
► Paper Characteristics
- Coating
Glossy and matte coatings are polymer finishes that provide specific textures and appearances. Uncoated papers exist but are less common in commercial printing. - Weight
Measured in grams per square meter (gsm), paper weight influences thickness and durability. Heavier papers are sturdier and often convey greater quality. - Brightness
On a scale from 0 to 100, brightness measures how much light the paper reflects. A brightness above 80 is considered premium, enhancing print vibrancy and sharpness. - Opacity
Opacity indicates how much the paper prevents light from passing through. Higher opacity reduces show-through from printed content on the reverse side, contributing to a cleaner appearance.
► Paper Weight and Typical Uses
| PAPER TYPE | USES | PAPER WEIGHT (US) | PAPER WEIGHT (METRIC) | POINTS (THICKNESS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TISSUE | Wrapping Delicates Gift Bag Filler, Cupcake Liners, Crepe Garland | 10 lb 18 lb 38 lb | 15 gsm 27 gsm 100 gsm | |
| VELLUM | Lightweight Invitation Overlay Mediumweight Invitation Overlay, Printable Invitation Overlay | 25 lb 40 lb 55 lb | 40 gsm 60 gsm 90 gsm | |
| TEXT | Origami Copier/Printer Letterhead, Stationery Brochure | 17 lb 20 lb 24 lb 32 lb | 65 gsm 75 gsm 90 gsm 120 gsm | 3 pt 4 pt 5 pt 6 pt |
| CARDSTOCK | Cupcake Wrap Around Scrapbook Layout, Place Card Business Card Greeting Card, Invitation Postcard, Promotion Flyer | 50 lb 65 lb 80 lb 100 lb 110 lb | 135 gsm 176 gsm 216 gsm 270 gsm 297 gsm | 7 pt 9 pt 10 pt 12 pt 14 pt |
| CHIPBOARD | Cereal Box, Tissue Box Letterpress, Photo Matte Photo Frame Backing Scrapbook Album Cover Drink Coaster | 433 gsm 460 gsm 615 gsm 1000 gsm 1200 gsm | 20 pt 28 pt 40 pt 60 pt 70 pt |
► Paper Sizes
| A PAPER SIZE FORMAT | Width × Height (mm) | Width × Height (inches) | B PAPER SIZE FORMAT | Width × Height (mm) | Width × Height (inches) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 297 × 420 mm | 11.7 × 16.5 in | B3 | 353 × 500 mm | 13.9 × 19.7 in | |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | 8.3 × 11.7 in | B4 | 250 × 353 mm | 9.8 × 13.9 in | |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | 5.8 × 8.3 in | B5 | 176 × 250 mm | 6.9 × 9.8 in | |
| A6 | 105 × 148 mm | 4.1 × 5.8 in | B6 | 125 × 176 mm | 4.9 × 6.9 in | |
| A7 | 74 × 105 mm | 2.9 × 4.1 in | B7 | 88 × 125 mm | 3.5 × 4.9 in |
| C PAPER SIZE FORMAT | Width × Height (mm) | Width × Height (inches) | INTERNATIONAL ENVELOPE FORMAT | Width × Height (mm) | Width × Height (inches) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3 | 324 × 458 mm | 12.8 × 18 in | DL | 110 × 220 mm | 4.3 × 8.7 in | |
| C4 | 229 × 324 mm | 9 × 12.8 in | B4 | 250 × 353 mm | 9.8 × 13.9 in | |
| C5 | 162 × 229 mm | 6.4 × 9 in | B5 | 176 × 250 mm | 6.9 × 9.8 in | |
| C6 | 114 × 162 mm | 4.5 × 6.4 in | B6 | 125 × 176 mm | 4.9 × 6.9 in | |
| C7 | 81 × 114 mm | 3.2 × 4.5 in | C3 | 324 × 458 mm | 12.8 × 18 i |