Best Paper Weight For Printing User Manuals
- Best Paper Weight For Printing User Manuals Download
- Best Paper For Printing Photos
- Best Paper Weight For Printing
- Best Printer Paper Weight
Paper weights in the U.S. Are typically expressed in pounds (lb), which is the actual weight of 500 sheets of the “basis size” of the paper in question. Since the basis size may vary, comparing paper weights can be tricky. For example, 28-lb multipurpose paper will likely not be the same weight or thickness as a 28-lb premium or card stock. The next category of light paper weights are often used for copy machines, faxes and in your office printer. They tend to be about 70-90gsm. Generally 80 – 90 gsm paper should be used in most printers and copiers. To use lighter paper will cause issues with jamming and paper roller pickups.
If you’re a graphic designer, small business owner or marketer, it literally pays to know the best paper types for printing. No matter what you’re printing or how great your design is, if you have a bad print job your investment will be wasted. How terrible it would be to spend time and money developing an incredible marketing campaign, only to have it ruined by a poor print job!
The following details why paper matters, what separates great paper from poor paper, and which paper types are best for printing for a variety of projects, so you can design winning print marketing campaigns that look as amazing on paper as they do on your screen.
1 Why paper matters
Choosing the best paper type for your project starts with understanding why paper is such a crucial element. Your customers equate the quality of your marketing with the quality of your products and services, so to have a high-quality print job suggests you have a high-quality business that offers high-quality products, services, and customer support – which influences purchasing decisions.
Imagine receiving two postcards in the mail, each from competing companies yet featuring comparable offers and design. Company A’s postcard is thin and flimsy, the colors are dull and lackluster, and the inks appears scratched. Company B’s postcard is thick and sturdy, the colors are brilliant, and the ink is flawless.
Everything else being equal, which company would you buy from? Most people would choose Company B simply because they sent the superior postcard; a fundamental, yet often subconscious, psychological response to quality marketing materials.
The right paper stock for printing lends itself to a sub-discipline called sensory marketing: understanding how the senses influence perception, which in turn influences buying decisions. When you use the best paper stock for printing your projects, your designs look amazing – even fascinating, delighting customers’ sense of sight – and your marketing materials deliver pleasant tactile sensations that customers equate to quality.
“Hand” refers to how a given paper stock feels, and a paper’s hand makes a statement even before it’s printed: soft and luxurious, sleek and bright, textured or smooth, paper characteristics have psychological influence. In fact, they can even motivate purchases.
In a Harvard Business Review article titled ]]> Please Touch the Merchandise,]]> Lawrence Williams and Joshua Ackerman reported these findings:
- People who sat in soft chairs versus hard chairs were willing to offer 28 percent more for automobiles. This suggests that people are more susceptible to persuasion when they touch soft objects.
- Job interviewers believed candidates were more serious when they conducted interviews holding heavy clipboards. This suggests that marketing material weight can make a company seem more attractive or qualified.
- People who drank water from heavy vessels versus flimsy cups believed the water in the heavy vessels to be of higher quality, even though it wasn’t.
This reinforces the suggestion that customers respond positively to heavy, and negatively to light, flimsy marketing tools.
From these findings, we can surmise that visual enhancement combined with tactile sensations – or hand – make for the perfect paper stock for any given project.
Now, let’s examine what dictates those qualities.
2 Paper qualities
Whether you need a good paper stock for postcards or want to print business cards on unique paper, the best way to choose a great paper stock for your print projects is to first understand the most desirable paper qualities and how they are achieved. These qualities dictate how a paper looks and feels as well as its suitability for a given print job. The following breaks down different paper stock characteristics and what they mean to your final printed materials.
3 How is paper made?
Most paper is made by mixing wood fibers in hot water to create pulp. Other materials can be used, such as recycled paper and other plant-based fibers, but wood is the most common.
Additives, such as dyes and fillers, might be mixed in with the pulp to improve paper properties. Once mixed, the pulp is cleaned and bleached, then spread out over a mesh screen to allow the water to drain. This is usually done on a Fourdrinier machine, which features a moving belt. Once the pulp has dried, the result is a sheet of paper – but the process isn’t finished yet.
Next, the sheet passes through a dandy roll, which can add patterns or watermarks; then, it is pressed between rollers to remove additional water before moving through heated rollers that complete the drying process. Once dried, the paper is rolled onto reels.
- Smoothing (pressing it through metal rollers called calenders)
- Coating
- Embossing
- Trimming (cutting it into rolls or sheets)
How a given paper is made determines the characters it features, which in turn determines how it is best used.
That’s a general overview of the papermaking process; each paper manufacturer has its own processes and nuances that make its papers unique. In addition to mass paper production, many people handmake paper and consider it an artform. You can learn more about handmade papers from ]]> The Guild of Papermakers ]]> and , ]]> The International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists ]]> (IAPMA).
- ]]>Mohawk ]]>
- ]]>International Paper ]]>
- ]]>Georgia-Pacific ]]>
- ]]>Stora Enso ]]>
- ]]>Neenah Paper ]]>
- ]]>Jackson Paper ]]>
- ]]>Domtar ]]>
In addition, ]]> Paper Age ]]> – a trade magazine and newsletter dedicated to the paper industry – offers a ]]> directory of paper manufacturers]]>.
Formation refers to the distribution of wood fibers and added fillers, and it has the greatest impact on print quality. Uniform fiber distribution is important, and the best papers feature a mix that’s 75 percent hardwood fibers, 25 percent softwood fibers.
Another consideration is the amount of recycled content: some papers are partly made from post-consumer waste; others are comprised of 100 percent post-consumer waste – the ultimate in eco-friendly printing.
Brightness refers to the amount of blue light reflected by a given paper stock. It’s measured on the ]]> TAPPI brightness scale,]]> scored from 0 to 100, with 100 being the brightest paper.
- Faithful color reproduction
- Ink brightness
- Contrast between printed and non-printed areas
Generally speaking, the brighter the paper stock, the better.
- Reproduces “true-to-life” images and is good for print jobs featuring illustrations and paintings
- Makes images feel warm by absorbing blues and greens, and reflecting reds and oranges, good for print jobs featuring photographs
- Commonly used for retail marketing due it is ability to produce “hard,” metallic images; it’s a cooler type of paper stock (since it reflects blues and greens) that’s well-suited to product images and black and white photographs
Grain refers to the direction wood fibers are aligned with the paper machine. There are two types of grain: long grain and short grain.
- Fibers run parallel to the long side of the sheet, which makes it easier to turn pages, reduces buckling, and makes the binding stronger
- Fibers run perpendicular to the long side of the sheet. It’s ideal for pocket folders and saddle-stitched materials because it can be scored against the grain, resulting in greater durability and tear-resistance
Opacity refers to the amount of light that can be transmitted through a given paper stock. High opacity lets little light through, while low opacity lets more light through.
Opacity is an important consideration because it enhances brightness, surface and formation. It’s a great choice for projects that require full-color and heavy ink, which is why it’s often used for marketing materials. Though it costs more per pound that normal offset papers, stocks with high opacity reduce total paper and mailing expenses.
Ever wondered exactly what paper “weight” means? It refers to the weight of 500 sheets of a given paper stock in its basic size. For example, the basic size for cover stock is 20-inch by 26-inch and the basic size for text stock is 25-inch by 38-inch.
Paper thickness is exactly how it sounds – how thick the paper is, as measured by a caliper. Paper thickness is often express as “points,” where every point equals .001 inch. So, if you ask “how thick is 10 point text paper,” you can multiply .001 by 10 to get .010 inch.
Thick paper stocks lend a sense of quality to your marketing materials, and thickness also plays an important role in direct-mail marketing pieces that need to be fed through post office sorting machines.
The more prestigious the piece, the thicker the paper. This doesn't mean your folded brochures should be like cardboard, but adding thickness to your paper can lend credibility and esteem.
Surface refers to the smoothness of a given paper stock, dictated by how level the fibers are. Smooth, level paper stocks reproduce colors in sharp, vivid detail.
One way to determine surface quality is to shine a light through a sheet of paper. If it’s uniform without a lot of mottling, the paper is likely rather smooth. Another way is to test ink absorption: smooth papers absorb inks better than unsmooth papers.
- Gives paper a polished sheen and produces vibrant, crisp images
- Offers a softer, glare-free sheen that’s perfect for type-heavy pieces
- A soft, luxurious coating that feels amazing in the hands
- Lends the look of woven linen to paper for an elegant finish
- A non-gloss surface that offers superior readability
Your choice of coating can affect the smoothness of your paper, which is measured by the ]]> Sheffield scale ]]> – the lower the number, the smoother the paper.
4The best paper stock for printing
- High opacity, which allows for heavier ink coverage
- High brightness, which makes inks more vivid
- High thickness, which offers stability
- Smooth surface, which quickly absorbs inks and minimizes ink blots and other imperfections
If you’re concerned about shipping costs, you can opt for lighter paper weight, thinner paper stocks, and less opaqueness; but understand you’ll sacrifice print quality to save money at the post office, which might translate to lost sales at the mailbox.
- Uncoated offset paper is good for books and manuals, as well as uncoated business cards you can write on
- Opaque papers are good for marketing tools: business card printing, flyer printing and brochure printing
- Bond or writing papers are good for corporate identity pieces, such as corporate letterhead printing
- Text and cover paper stocks are excellent choices for both corporate identity and premium marketing materials
- Parchment is a good choice for certificates
- Index paper is typically used for index cards
- Safety paper is used for coupons and checks
- Vellum Bristol is often used for door hanger printing
- Pressure sensitive paper stocks make good labels
There are many great paper stocks available, but not every type of paper is best for every project. One paper stock might be perfect for printing catalogs but not so great for printing greeting cards. In addition, you should be cognizant of your brand attributes when selecting paper stocks for corporate identity.
The combination of a paper’s properties dictate how it should be used; so, for example, if you’re printing a brochure you might choose a gloss text paper, since it offers the bright sheen of a glossy coating and the foldability of a text-based thickness. For easy writing, it's best to go with an uncoated or velvet paper stock.
Best Paper Weight For Printing User Manuals Download
Great paper stocks feel strong and stable, vicariously lending these same attributes to your products and services.
Paper stocks with a gloss finish are well-suited for grabbing attention with a flashy delivery, since the gloss helps colorful designs pop off the page.
Matte stocks are good for lending a subtle appeal, suggesting elegance and exclusivity. Special coatings such as aqueous and UV further enhance printed promotions by adding a layer of brilliance and protection. If you're a green company, look for eco-friendly recycled paper stocks. This can also be very important to your customers.
It's a good idea to know what kind of paper you'll be printing on before you design your projects, so you can tailor your design to match the paper and finish. Sleek, smooth paper might benefit a sleek design; while a soft matte might be great for an elegant theme. Ask your printer for free paper stock samples before you settle on one so you can literally get a feel for what it feels like in your hands.
Of course, you probably want to know the answers to questions such as “what kind of paper are brochures printed on?” and “what is a good paper weight for a flyer?” Use the information provided above with the paper/project matches listed below to identify the best paper stock for printing your next project.
- Brochures
- Booklet covers
- Comic book covers
- Coloring book covers
- Wall calendar covers
- Catalog covers
- Flyers
- Postcards
- Posters
- Brochures
- Flyers
- Brochures
- Desk calendars (interior pages)
- Wall calendars (interior pages)
- Flyers
- Menus
- Posters
- Sales sheets
- Brochures
- Booklet interior pages
- Comic book interior pages
- Coloring book interior pages
- Wall calendars (interior pages)
- Flyers
- Menus (restaurant menu printing)
- Sales sheets
- Brochures
- Booklet covers
- Comic book covers
- Coloring book covers
- Business cards
- Catalog covers
- Flyers
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Posters
- Brochures
- Booklet covers
- Comic book covers
- Coloring book covers
- Bookmarks
- Business cards
- Wall calendar covers
- Catalog covers
- Flyers
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Wall calendar covers
- Posters
- Brochures
- Booklet interior pages
- Comic book interior pages
- Coloring book interior pages
- Brochures
- Business cards
- Letterhead
- Menus
- Brochures
- Business cards
- Letterhead
- Menus
- Booklet covers
- Comic book covers
- Coloring book covers
- Bookmarks
- Business cards
- Catalog covers
- Flyers
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Posters
- Booklet interior pages
- Comic book interior pages
- Coloring book interior pages
- Menus
- Bookmarks
- Business cards
- Flyers
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Posters
- Business cards
- Event tickets
- Flyers
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Bookmarks
- Business cards
- Flyers
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Posters
- Business cards
- Greeting cards
- Pocket folders
- Postcards
- Posters
- Letterhead
- Memo pads
- Notepads
- Letterhead
- Menus
- Sales sheets
Note that UV and AQ coatings can be added to many printed materials; both offer protection for your printed pieces and make colors appear more vibrant.
No matter what type of paper stock you choose, it’s important to have your materials printed by a premium printing company. PsPrint, for example, uses state-of-the-art offset and digital printing presses and vivid, eco-friendly, soy-based inks to make your colors pop off the page. The last thing you want to do is ruin your beautiful design with subpar printing, so combine the right paper with premium printing at discount prices to bring your designs to life!
What is a Good Paper Weight for Wedding Invitations?
This is one of the most common questions we get from customers making invitations. Because every project, print method and preference is different, we cannot give a simple answer as to what the “best” paper weight for invitations is. We can help you find the best paper weight for you, however.
Cardstock weight used for wedding invitations varies considerably, and ranges from a low of 65lb / 176gsm up to double thick duplexed cardstock that weighs 222lb (600gsm) and higher.
To choose the right cardstock for your wedding invitations, take the following factors into consideration:
- Printing Process
- Invitation Style
- Postage
- Preference
Each factor is discussed in detail below.
1. Printing Process is Important to Determine What Kind of Paper to Use
Whether you are printing your invitations at home or taking them to a professional print shop, printing is one of the most important factors to consider when trying to determine what kind and weight of paper to use for your wedding invitations.
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What to Consider when Printing Invitations at Home
One of the most important considerations when printing your invitations at home is the paper weight capabilities of your home printer. Since most people use their home printers only for lightweight copy paper, most are not familiar with the maximum paper weight their printer can handle.
Though most consumer grade home printers can handle 80lb (216gsm) to 100lb (270gsm) cardstock, not all can. All printers are different, so be sure to do your research and consult your printer manual for card stock printing information and recommendations.
Pro Tip: Is 80lb or 100lb Thicker?
This is a complex question. Its answer lies in the scale used to determine paper weight and paper density. For simplicity we strongly recommend using the European Metric Scale of GSM to determine weight. The higher the number the thicker the paper. This is NOT true when using the USA (North American) paper scale. We encourage you to read more on this topic to understand our explanation of the best way to determine paper weight.
What to Consider when Using a Professional Print Shop
Just as all home printers are different, all print shops have different printing equipment and capabilities. Before deciding on an invitation paper, contact various print shops to learn about their equipment, print processes and capabilities. Be sure they can accommodate your paper’s weight, thickness and texture. It’s always a good idea to bring samples to discuss.
Suggested Weights for Popular Professional Printing Methods
If you know you want your invitations printed by pros, here are four popular methods you may consider. Below you will find a description and suggested paper range for each.
Offset Printing
Offset printing uses metal plates to transfer ink to rubber rollers, then onto your paper.
Benefits of Offset Include:
- Consistent, superb quality prints
- Ability to print on a variety of paper surfaces and weights
- Ability to print heavy coverage with no streaks, spotting or banding
Potential Downfall to Offset:
- Plate/machine setup for each design (which adds time and cost, particularly for small invitation runs)
Best Paper for Offset Printed Invitations
If going with offset printing for your invites, you won’t be limited by much. Most offset presses can handle weights up to 120lb cover (325gsm), papers smooth or textured, coated or non. As always, bring in samples to discuss, as some papers may require specific inks or setup.
Thermography
Often referred to as raised printing, thermography produces prints you can feel. After a simple design or text is printed with slow drying ink (usually by offset), embossing powder is applied while the ink is still wet. Next, excess powder is removed by vacuum or vibration. Finally, the paper is passed through a heating mechanism which causes the powder/design to raise up.
Thermography Benefits
- Traditional, elegant invitation style printing
- Unique tactile and visual appeal
Thermography Downfalls
- Thermography requires machine setup and is a higher cost print method
- Color and design detail limitations (typically text and simple design only)
Best Paper for Thermography Invitations
Since the pre-powder stage of thermography printing is typically done by offset, the same applies to preferred weight range. Thermography printed invites are usually 80lb cover (216gsm) – 120lb cover (325gsm).
Letterpress Printing
Letterpress printers use plates, hand set type and ink to press a design onto or into paper.
Benefits of Letterpress Include
- Consistent, superb quality prints
- Ability to print on a variety of paper surfaces and weights
- Unique tactile element
Potential Letterpress Downfall
- Plate creation and extensive machine setup for each design and color
- Color limitations (each color requires its own plate and setup)
Best Paper for Letterpress Invitations
Though letterpress invites can be printed on a variety of weights, finishes and textures, they are most commonly printed on thick, cotton cardstock 111lb (300gsm) – 222lb (600gsm).
Shop our collection of Letterpress Paper
Digital Printing
Digital printing uses ink or toner to recreate a design on paper – no plates or rollers required. It is quick, economical and the method of printing we use for our Invitation Printing Services.
If you would rather not worry about test prints and trips to the print shop, take advantage of our printing service! We offer hundreds of invitation cards in a variety of weights, colors and sizes.
Digital Benefits
- Fast, economical print method great for small invitation runs
- Ability to print on a variety of paper and envelope weights, light and heavy
- Easily print multiple colors in one design with little setup
Digital Downfalls
- If printing a large run (1000+ pieces) colors may subtly shift throughout run unlike letterpress or offset
- Ability to print on very heavy weights and heavily embossed textures may be limited by machinery
Best Paper for Digitally Printed Invites
At LCI, we offer digital printing on a wide range of weights, from lightweight (30lb) vellum printing to 120lb heavyweight cardstock printing. Though our equipment does not work well with heavily textured papers, we can print on subtle textures such as linen, coated metallics and smooth, matte cardstock. We even print dark papers and envelopes in white!
2. Invitation Style: What Kind of Invitation are You Making?
When choosing an invitation paper weight, it is also important to consider the style and composition of your invites. For example:
Flat Invitation Card? Go a Little Heavier
Since flat invitation cards are simply a single sheet of cardstock, they are typically made with a heavy weight cardstock – 80lb cover and up.
Folding Invitation Card? Go a Little Lighter
Folding invitation cards are typically made with lighter stock, as they are twice as thick after folding.
A popular weight range for folding invitation cards is between 65lb-100lb cover.
Best Paper For Printing Photos
Layered Card? Whatever You Prefer
Layered invitation cards or those inside of invitation pockets and wraps can be made with a variety of weights, but we recommend keeping these rules in mind.
- Keep your invitation top layer light (80lb cover and under). Print it, then attach it to a heavier card (80lb cover and up).
- Your invitation backer or pocket can be as heavy as you like – no printing, no restrictions!
- Keep bulk in mind. If you have 3 or more layers, you may want to keep the layers light
3. Postage: More Cardstock Weight = More Postage
Any invite weighing over 1 ounce requires additional postage. If you want to keep the cost of invitation postage down, keep the weight of your invitation card stock down.
Tip: Always bring one finished invite to your local post office to determine accurate postage.
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4. Preference: Your Invites, Your Choice.
Best Paper Weight For Printing
Printing, design and budget considerations aside, some people prefer thick, heavy card stock while some prefer lighter, thinner stock.
Best Printer Paper Weight
Ultimately, it’s your invitations and your choice! The best weight paper for your wedding invitations is the one that works for you, your design and any limitations you are working with.