Welcome to the world of paper

Choosing paper is not based on the highest quality you can afford. Since paper is complicated, look instead for the most appropriate quality paper for your the job. No two print jobs are alike and the ink coverage, batch of paper, even the moisture in the air all will affect the production and thus the final look and feel of a printed piece.

As soon as the initial design is done, it’s time to specify the paper and get quotes from printers. One of the things to consider when specifying for paper is the life span of your printed piece. For pieces with a long life span, ensure to pick a paper that offers sturdiness and durability.

The personality of your piece, its life span, texture, colour and coating determine the price range and quality of your paper, in addition to your budget. When producing an environmental report choose papers with recycled content, visible fibres or a mixed composition with a lower brightness and a texture that conveys the environmental feel. For projects that suggest luxury opt for metallics, iridescents, suede and alike to create a stunning first impression. If colour and crisp image or photographic reproduction is your concern, a coated gloss, matt or silk sheet is always a great and safe choice.

Papers are available in blue-white, balanced white, natural white, soft white, and any other white in between. Blue-whites are brighter and allow colours to stand out, while warmer whites, which are less bright, are more comfortable on the eyes for reading or extended viewing.

With an eye on tight budgets, heavier papers can make up for a lower page count and still give a credible, dependable feel. If heavy ink coverage is involved, the paper's opacity is crucial. If you are working on a piece that will be mailed, the weight of the finished piece is a major consideration.

If bulk and weight are important, an uncoated paper will work better for you. A coated paper will weigh more than its same-sized counterpart. Even though it weighs less, the same piece printed on an uncoated sheet will be thicker because uncoated paper naturally has a higher bulk.

When choosing recycled paper opt for post consumer recycled, Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) papers. Another option is to look for paper that is FSC-certified. Recycled papers are known to score, fold and emboss better because recycled fibres are softer and allow these processes to be performed with ease.

If your budget allows for specialty printing processes, such as embossing, foil stamping, letterpress and the like, make sure your paper is suitable for these techniques. As digital printing becomes more and more popular, be aware not to speck a digital sheet for an offset press and vice versa.

There are an unlimited ways in which a paper can be folded. Do allow for extra budget when using intricate or diagonal folds. Check out ‘Know your folds’ for more information regarding this subject.