When preparing for your next commercial print project, choosing the right kind of paper is crucial for the best quality results.
Not all paper is created equal, and different papers will give a different look and feel to the finished print product. Specifying the right kind of paper to your printer ensures the best quality premium print product, whether your project prioritizes vivid colors, a premium feel or sustainability.
Before choosing the right kind of uncoated paper for your print project, we need to break down the difference between coated and uncoated paper.
Coated paper has a coating on its surface, usually made with materials such as clay, talc, polymers and pigments. The paper’s coating is used to create a specific look, feel or performance quality for the paper. Some coatings give the paper a glossy texture, while others provide things like water resistance.
With uncoated paper, there is no coating to prevent the ink absorption. The quality and sharpness of images printed in the paper is dependent on the paper’s smoothness and brightness.
For print projects that contain a lot of text, uncoated is the way to go. The glossy sheen on coated paper can create a glare that makes the text harder to read. Uncoated paper is also easier to write on.
To see what uncoated paper is capable of, check out these projects all printed on Accent Opaque.
For projects that have vivid visuals, paper with a superior smoothness will result in crisp images and consistent production.
The smoother an uncoated paper is, the better. A number of factors, such as the material composition and the shape and orientation of the wood fibers in the paper, determine the smoothness of paper. The smooth, level surface also results in a more even transfer of ink, proper ink hold out and fast drying.
Commercial print projects that feature full-color photography are best suited for paper with a high brightness. Brightness matters for uncoated paper because it affects the contrast of the print.
Paper brightness is the measurement of the reflectance of a specific wavelength of blue light. The industry measures this way because the human eye perceives a bluish tint as whiter than a neutral white shade. Brightness is measured on a scale of 0 to 100, and the higher the number, the brighter the paper is. For example, Accent Opaque has a 97 brightness and preferred blue-white shade which creates a standout print contrast.
If your project requires full color printing on both sides of the sheet, you need a paper with a high opacity. Opacity affects the show-through of the ink on the paper. Opacity is how transparent a sheet is, or how much light passes through the paper and shows on the other side. With a high opacity paper, very little light passes through and the paper can handle more ink coverage with less show-through.
Paper with a high opacity is ideal for commercial printing applications such as booklets, instruction manuals, sell sheets and flyers. With an excellent opacity, such as on Accent Opaque, there is minimal show-through even with double-sided color coverage
For premium, high-end commercial print, a heavier weight paper stock can help create a more tactile, sensory experience.
The basis weight of paper is determined by how much a ream of paper (500 sheets) weighs based on the size of the sheet. To determine the basis weight, each grade of paper has its own basic sheet size. The papers with a heavier basis weight are thicker and sturdier which minimizes show-through from high ink coverage or double sided printing.
For commercial printing, text is used for materials such as reports, financial documents, catalogs and sales and marketing collateral. Cover paper is used for applications such as invitations, greeting cards and menus.
The ideal basis weight for high-quality text sheets is from 40 lb. to 100 lb. The ideal basis weight for cover sheets ranges from 65 lb. to 120 lb.
For projects that have certain finishings, the thickness of the paper will have a strong effect on the outcome. Finishings take a print piece and elevate it, creating a truly unique end product that will stand out and impress your audience. If you’re incorporating finishing, you’ll want to choose a paper that can stand up to these specialized processes.
For embossing and debossing, the thinner the paper is, the more detail you can achieve. By using a pair of dies to create raised elements across the page, embossing adds texture and emphasis to your print pieces. Debossing creates a similar effect with an opposite technique, pressing the image down instead of up.
If you want to use a foil stamped design in your commercial print, foil stamping works best on a thicker paper with a high smoothness, like The Heavyweights. The process uses a heated metal die to add a metallic finish to prints, emphasizing eye-catching elements.
If you are working on a project that is going to be printed on an inkjet press, uncoated paper that has been inkjet treated is ideal. With inkjet treated paper, you can get the vibrant color payoff that helps graphics pop and makes vivid images sharper.
Accent Opaque’s specially formulated Inkjet Treated papers are ideal for high-speed book publishing, direct mail, catalogs, financial documents, brochures and more.
If your project will be printed on an HP® Indigo press, choose an Indigo treated uncoated paper. Accent Opaque’s Indigo Treated papers are specially formulated for this type of press, and are ideal for catalogs, direct mail, flyers, sell sheets, invitations, marketing materials and more.
Indigo Treated paper has a high brightness, smooth printing surface, excellent opacity and ink adhesion for rich images, creating a high-end result.
For projects with sustainability in mind, you should specify a paper to your printer that is sustainably sourced and has third-party sustainability certifications and chain of custody documentation.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) is an independent, global organization that recognizes paper sourced from sustainably managed forests. Their mission is to advance sustainability across the world through forest-focused collaboration.
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) recognizes paper that has been not only sourced from sustainably managed forests, but they also ensure fair labor and wage practices, ethical social and community standards and biodiversity preservation.
Choosing a paper with fibers sourced from sustainably managed forests promotes the health of our entire ecosystem and responsibly uses our resources.
If cutting costs is an important factor for your project, you need an economical premium paper. By spending less, you can focus your budget on other ways to make your commercial print project the best it can be. For example, cost savings can allow you to increase the size of your print run. You can also add personalized finishing details such as die cuts, embossing, foil stamps and other specialty techniques with the added budget.
Accent Opaque is up to 25% less than comparable sheets on the market. This decrease in cost does not come with a decrease in quality, however; with excellent smoothness, brightness and opacity, Accent Opaque’s on-press press performance rivals other premium brands.
Request a sample to experience the quality of Accent Opaque for yourself.