Paper Range
Gloss coated paper
Gloss coated paper as its name suggests is a glossy shiny paper.
The gloss coating, which is applied to both sides of the sheet gives the paper a smooth photographic quality.
Vibrancy and colour contrasts are maximised due to the gloss coating which prevents ink being absorbed into the sheet.
Glossiness can be further enhanced with the application of a gloss machine seal or even a gloss lamination.
Gloss paper is the ideal choice if images need to pop out at the reader, e.g for magazines and marketing material like flyers and catalogues.
The gloss coating also offers excellent protection against cracking so folded leaflets and brochures can often be folded without the need for scoring.
You will need to bear in mind that the gloss coating gives the paper a reflective quality which can cause glare and as a result documents with large sections of text can be difficult to read.
Silk Coated Paper
Silk coated paper has all the benefits of gloss paper but without the inconvenience of the glare.
The silk (or satin) coating is applied to both sides of the sheet giving the paper a sheen but not a shine.
Colours will be vibrant and text will be easy to read.
Silk stock is the most popular of all the coated stocks and is commonly used for brochures, leaflets, posters, folders, box sleeves, pillow packs, etc.
Matte Coated Paper
The paper has a matte coating applied to both sides to produce a dull finish on a smooth and robust sheet. Large areas of text will be easy to read thanks to the anti-glare properties which this coating provides.
Matte coated paper holds ink well but colours will be less vibrant than on gloss or silk coated paper.
The muted effect of this paper makes it ideal for use with gloss spot UV varnish or foiling as the matt coating will mean that the pop of the contrasting finishes will be maximised.
Uncoated Paper
The focus on sustainability has seen a huge rise in the popularity of uncoated paper. Uncoated paper can often be made up of 100% recycled material and is fully recyclable after use.
As its name suggest, this paper has no protective coating applied at all and as a result uncoated paper has a more rustic and environmentally friendly look and feel.
The paper is very absorbent and is an ideal choice for litho printing where a faded or washed out look is desired.
You’ll need to bear in mind that the lack of coating on the paper makes it susceptible to tearing and cracking so it may not be the best choice for folded items.