Paper Stock Glossary

Weight When you buy paper, it has a weight value, measured in ‘gsm’ (grams per square metre). A higher gsm value will mean the paper is stronger/thicker.

For the vast majority of business uses, 80/100gsm paper will be suitable although you may wish to consider using 120-130gsm paper for important documents as the person receiving the letter WILL feel the difference

The standard weight for most paper is 80gsm, 100gsm, 130gsm, 150gsm and 170gsm. When stock weight reaches 200gsm, we describe these heavier weights as boards. Business cards, for example, would be printed on 350gsm boards.

Art paper

This is a paper which has received a special coating to give it a smooth finish. Its meaning is often confused but it is more easily termed as a smooth coated paper.

Coated paper

A term used to describe paper which has received a special coating to give an enhanced surface for detail and colour reproduction.

Gloss coated paper

Gloss coated papers have a high shine and a very smooth surface, ideal for producing printed items for promotional work. The finish of the paper gives the ink a high degree of “lift”, giving vibrant colour and definition to printed images in particular. Ink dries well on gloss coated paper, making a seal varnish (to protect the ink from rubbing and marking) less likely to be needed.

Matt coated paper

This is a paper which has received a special coating to give a smooth, matt finish. Matt coated papers have no surface shine, and a slightly “toothy” feel, rougher than a gloss coated paper. The images will not have quite such a lift as when printing onto gloss coated paper. However, applying a gloss seal varnish can often improve this. In addition, printing inks do not dry and harden as well on matt coated stocks as on gloss, meaning that use of a seal varnish is recommended to prevent ink rubbing. Seal varnish will add a small amount to the overall cost.

Silk coated paper

This is a paper which has received a special coating to give a smooth, silk finish. Silk coated papers have a low surface shine, and are not as toothy feeling as matt coated papers, or as smooth a feel as gloss coated paper – a good compromise between matt and gloss coated paper. Again, inks do not dry or harden as well as on gloss coated papers, and the use of seal varnish may be recommended. One / Dual sided paper

This is available in heavier board weights from approximately 260gsm. One side is gloss (dried against a polished cylinder for a high-gloss finish) with the reverse uncoated. It provides excellent printability, extreme surface smoothness and superb bulk and rigidity. It is particularly suited to book covers, postcards or greetings cards.

Bond / Uncoated paper

This is a plain paper which is not coated. Uncoated paper is typically rougher feeling than any of the coated stocks. This can be used as an effect when considering a print project. Ink lift is not as strong from uncoated papers. This means images will not appear as defined as when they are printed onto a coated stock. Using uncoated stock is a good idea if you need to write onto the printed item you are producing (e.g. a form, business reply card etc). It is much easier to write on this type of paper.

Carbonless - self copy paper

Paper specially coated to produce an image in black when pressure is applied. It is used extensively in sets, pads and such items as purchase order, statement and delivery books. There is a top, middle and bottom sheet with the coatings applied accordingly.

Recycled paper

These papers are made entirely or in part from old paper. The recycled papers we recommend are contained within our Quotation Forms and vary from 25% recycled through to 100% recycled.

Water / Grease / Tear resistant paper A synthetic paper designed for a wide variety of printing and finishing techniques. Key product features include smooth coated finish gives excellent ink holdout combined with a good level of opacity, highly durable, tear, water and grease resistant and weight range of 75-285 g/m² are available.

Laid / Wove / paper

Laid or Wove paper has a faint pattern running through it, and sometimes also a watermark. It is designed for important correspondence, looks highly professional, and adds an element of importance to your printing. It is normally available in a number of ‘business’ colours, such as cream or grey, as well as white.

Printing quality is usually very good on laid and wove paper, although every brand of paper is different. These papers are mainly used for letterheads, important letters and correspondence as it is considered too high quality for general office documentation.