Paper Types & Finishes
What is stock?
Stock is a term used in the printing industry and refers to the material, be it paper or card, that is to be printed on.
What is the difference between coated and uncoated paper/card?
As the name suggests, coated paper/card has a coating, usually of china clay, this gives it a smooth finish. The coated paper/card that we offer come in a gloss or silk (sometimes called satin) finish. Coated paper/card is suitable for projects requiring a high quality finish such as Flyers and Leaflets.
Standard uncoated paper doesn't have a coating and is therefore not as smooth as coated paper, you would use this in your fax machine or photocopier. Premium grade uncoated papers are much smoother and of higher quality, we offer premium grade uncoated paper as standard on all of our Letterheads and Compliment Slips.
What is the difference between gloss and silk paper/card?
Gloss has a shiny surface and isn't suitable for writing on, silk has more of a matt finish and can be written on with most pens.
Can I print on my product with my home/office printer?
Our Letterheads and Compliment Slips are always printed onto premium grade uncoated paper, the paper that we use is inkjet and laser printer guaranteed. None of our coated stock can be over-printed with a home/office printer.
What is the difference between 100gsm, 120gsm, 130gsm, 170gsm, 300gsm, 400gsm and 450gsm?
It is normal practice to specify the thickness of paper/card by its weight in grams per square metre (GSM or GM). Fax and photocopier paper is usually around 80gsm, a high quality Letterhead is around 100gsm/120gsm, a Leaflet such as a takeaway menu is around 130gsm/170gsm, a Flyer is around 300gsm and a Postcard or high quality Business Card is around 400gsm/450gsm.
As thickness is measured by the paper's weight, one manufacturer's paper may seem slightly bulkier or stiffer than a competitor's product. Uncoated papers tend to be bulkier than their coated counterparts, that said, a paper's GSM rating is a good guide to show how thick or stiff the paper will feel. If in doubt just let us know and we will send you some samples.
What is NCR paper?
The letters NCR stand for No Carbon Required, this stock is typically used for NCR Pads (duplicate pads) and means you no longer have to use messy carbon paper.
What is the difference between a gloss and matt laminate finish?
A gloss or matt laminate finish is usually applied to Business Cards, although it can be applied to a number of other products. The finish gives the product a laminate coating, like a transparent film of plastic. This will give your product a quality feel, make it more sturdy and help protect from marks and general wear and tear. A gloss laminate is ultra shiny and really brings out the colour in designs where as a matt laminate gives a soft luxury satin finish that is really smooth to the touch.
What stock should I use?
As you can see from our website our products already have the associated popular stock options displayed, we have years of experience and therefore have a good idea of what the product in question should be printed on. If you would like us to print onto something different then contact us with your specific requirements and we will advise the best we can.
