Choosing The Right Paper For Your Business Stationery

The right paper makes all the difference while printing your business cards, flyers and leaflets when you want to impress your business associates. There are different types of paper used for printing business stationery. Understanding the various options will help you make the right choice and avoid costly mistakes.
Types of paper
Coated paper
This comes with a smooth finish as a result of the coating on it and can be gloss, silk or matt finish. This type of paper also referred to as art paper is usually used for printing leaflets and flyers and brochures. Print Project uses 170 GSM silk for printing leaflets and flyers.
Uncoated paper
This type of paper does not have a coating and appears even and smooth. It is usually used for laser printing and photocopies and available in different finishes. Often businesses use it for stationery, including brochures.
Laid paper
Laid paper is superior quality paper that comes in textured patterns or lines and is used to print business stationery.
Wove paper
This type of paper has a smooth finish, is of good quality and used in business stationery.
Bond paper
Bond paper is inexpensive, uncoated wove paper used for fax messages and photocopying.
Thickness of the paper
This is gauged by weight in grams per square meter, also called GSM. Low quality paper is usually of lower GSM. For example, photocopying paper is usually around 80 GSM while quality letterheads are printed on 120 GSM. Business card printing is done on 350-400 GSM cards. For printing flyers and leaflets, 300-350 GSM paper is used.
Certain papers tend to appear thicker than others of the same weight. For instance, uncoated paper is heavier than coat or matt. Silk coated seems heavier than glossy paper.
Which paper to choose?
Here are some tips:
For compliment slips and letterheads, use uncoated 100 GSM or 120 GSM paper
Choose the same type of paper stock for all your business stationery to create a uniform look
The heavier the paper, the costlier it will be
Select paper that is compatible with the type of printing being used
For coloured stationery with photographs choose coated paper to bring out the colors and images. Glossy paper and silk matt are also suitable
Paper sizes available
The common paper sizes available for printing flyers and leaflets, UK business cards, letter heads and other business stationery are A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6. While printing leaflets and flyers and comp slips, some people choose one third A4 size, also called the DL size.
Print Project stocks a wide range of quality paper. Customers can print quality business stationery that includes UK business cards, flyers and leaflets, letterheads and comp slips, greeting cards and much more at affordable rates. For more information, visit Print Project or connect with them on Facebook.