![\"Get](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/BannerBusinessCards-1024x256.png?resize=1024%2C256&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDifferent types of\nprinting paper<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nToday\u2019s commercial printing industry offers many different paper types and weights to choose from. These can range from basic Bond and Book types to Index, Cover, Text, and more. Printivity<\/a> offers Text and Cover paper types of varying weights. We use the following for the majority of our customers\u2019 print projects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- 50\/60\/70 lb. Text Uncoated <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 80\/100 lb. Text Gloss\/Matte <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 70\/90 lb. Cover Uncoated<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 70\/90\/100 lb. Cover Gloss\/Matte<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 14\/16pt Cardstock Semi-gloss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How paper weight is\ndetermined<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery good paper weight guide will discuss the various methods for specifying different paper weights and thicknesses. We have found it helpful to our customers to focus on the two most common: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- U.S. Basis Weight.<\/strong> This is defined as \u201cthe weight of 500 sheets of paper in its basic unit uncut size.\u201d The weight is determined before the paper is cut to its final size, such as Letter or Legal. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Metric weight.<\/strong> This refers to the actual weight of one sheet of paper cut 1 x 1 meter square. Always weighing the same size sheet provides a more uniform scale to judge a paper\u2019s weight and thickness. The most common metric used here is GSM, or grams per square meter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
For customers looking for a more straightforward method, Printivity recommends the following approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Simple Paper Weight Guide<\/strong>: How to Choose Paper for Printing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStep 1: Choose the best\npaper weight according to the specifics of your print job.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nAre you printing color copies<\/a> or black and white copies<\/a>? Are you printing booklets<\/a>, brochures<\/a>, or invitations? Or, are you printing business cards\/postcards? This will narrow down your decision-making to the best paper weights and types of paper commonly used for your print project. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Think about\nwhether you want a cardstock paper weight, or a non-cardstock paper weight<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf\nour paper weight guides don\u2019t help you find the right paper, think about whether\ncardstock or non-cardstock paper is better suited to your type of print\nproject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cardstock is also known as \u201ccover,\u201d \u201cindex,\u201d or \u201cbristol.\u201d Non-cardstock papers are called \u201ctext\u201d or \u201dbond.\u201d At Printivity, our \u201ccover paper\u201d is synonymous with \u201ccardstock,\u201d and non-cardstock is synonymous with \u201ctext weight.\u201d This keeps things simpler for our customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Printing customers often obsess about the numbered paper weights (i.e., 24lb\/60lb\/80lb), but I typically tell them not to worry about that detail. First, decide what kind of paper you want \u2013 Cover or Text \u2013 and then move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Choose a paper\ncoating\u2014glossy (coated), matte (coated), or uncoated<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nEach paper finish name is self explanatory, however they also have unique qualities that come with it. Uncoated paper has a natural finish that allows for most, if not all, kinds of writing instruments to be written on it. Gloss paper has coating that not only gives off a high shine, but also heightens the printed colors. Like Gloss paper, Matte sheets have a smooth finish but has a duller appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When ordering prints that require someone to write on it, we recommend Uncoated finished paper. However, if you want your project to have a coated finish even though there are places to write on it, you should order Matte finished paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Choose your numbered paper weight (i.e., the \u201cbasis weight\u201d) <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nRemember what I was saying about numbered paper weights earlier? Customers often wonder about the basis weights FIRST, when they should be thinking about it LAST. When they think about basis weights first, they get confused between the difference between \u201c70 lb. glossy cover\u201d and \u201c70 lb. glossy text\u201d. (The cover paper is a cardstock, and is much thicker.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you already know you want a \u201cglossy cover,\u201d and you only have to choose between two options, the decision of what to order becomes much easier. Do you want the thicker cover paper (100 lb. glossy cover) or the thinner cover paper (70 lb. glossy cover)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFinal thoughts for choosing the best paper weight for printing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t\nallow yourself to get caught up in focusing on the numbered paper weights (the\nbasis weights). Instead, focus on the kind of paper you want, and then choose\nthe paper weights relatively. For example, if you know that 80 lb. glossy cover\nis the thinnest paper, and you want a thicker paper, then choose the thicker\none!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hope our paper weight guide has made this topic easier to understand! Remember, our customer service representatives are here to help. If you have any questions about the right paper size, type, or weight for your print job, we\u2019ll be happy to assist you in making the right choice. Contact us at 1-877-649-5463<\/a> or service@Printivity.com<\/a> and we can send you a free paper sample kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"Stack](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/PhotoRetouch_SS_pg47_v3-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
Shop Saddle Stitch Booklets at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Presentation](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/presentation-folders-pdp.jpg?ssl=1\")
Shop Folders at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.printivity.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Postcards_Transparent.png?ssl=1\")
Shop Postcards at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 50\/60\/70 lb. Text Uncoated <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 80\/100 lb. Text Gloss\/Matte <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 70\/90 lb. Cover Uncoated<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 70\/90\/100 lb. Cover Gloss\/Matte<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 14\/16pt Cardstock Semi-gloss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How paper weight is\ndetermined<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Every good paper weight guide will discuss the various methods for specifying different paper weights and thicknesses. We have found it helpful to our customers to focus on the two most common: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- U.S. Basis Weight.<\/strong> This is defined as \u201cthe weight of 500 sheets of paper in its basic unit uncut size.\u201d The weight is determined before the paper is cut to its final size, such as Letter or Legal. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Metric weight.<\/strong> This refers to the actual weight of one sheet of paper cut 1 x 1 meter square. Always weighing the same size sheet provides a more uniform scale to judge a paper\u2019s weight and thickness. The most common metric used here is GSM, or grams per square meter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
For customers looking for a more straightforward method, Printivity recommends the following approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Simple Paper Weight Guide<\/strong>: How to Choose Paper for Printing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Choose the best\npaper weight according to the specifics of your print job.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Are you printing color copies<\/a> or black and white copies<\/a>? Are you printing booklets<\/a>, brochures<\/a>, or invitations? Or, are you printing business cards\/postcards? This will narrow down your decision-making to the best paper weights and types of paper commonly used for your print project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Think about\nwhether you want a cardstock paper weight, or a non-cardstock paper weight<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If\nour paper weight guides don\u2019t help you find the right paper, think about whether\ncardstock or non-cardstock paper is better suited to your type of print\nproject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cardstock is also known as \u201ccover,\u201d \u201cindex,\u201d or \u201cbristol.\u201d Non-cardstock papers are called \u201ctext\u201d or \u201dbond.\u201d At Printivity, our \u201ccover paper\u201d is synonymous with \u201ccardstock,\u201d and non-cardstock is synonymous with \u201ctext weight.\u201d This keeps things simpler for our customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Printing customers often obsess about the numbered paper weights (i.e., 24lb\/60lb\/80lb), but I typically tell them not to worry about that detail. First, decide what kind of paper you want \u2013 Cover or Text \u2013 and then move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Choose a paper\ncoating\u2014glossy (coated), matte (coated), or uncoated<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Each paper finish name is self explanatory, however they also have unique qualities that come with it. Uncoated paper has a natural finish that allows for most, if not all, kinds of writing instruments to be written on it. Gloss paper has coating that not only gives off a high shine, but also heightens the printed colors. Like Gloss paper, Matte sheets have a smooth finish but has a duller appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When ordering prints that require someone to write on it, we recommend Uncoated finished paper. However, if you want your project to have a coated finish even though there are places to write on it, you should order Matte finished paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 4: Choose your numbered paper weight (i.e., the \u201cbasis weight\u201d) <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Remember what I was saying about numbered paper weights earlier? Customers often wonder about the basis weights FIRST, when they should be thinking about it LAST. When they think about basis weights first, they get confused between the difference between \u201c70 lb. glossy cover\u201d and \u201c70 lb. glossy text\u201d. (The cover paper is a cardstock, and is much thicker.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you already know you want a \u201cglossy cover,\u201d and you only have to choose between two options, the decision of what to order becomes much easier. Do you want the thicker cover paper (100 lb. glossy cover) or the thinner cover paper (70 lb. glossy cover)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFinal thoughts for choosing the best paper weight for printing<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t\nallow yourself to get caught up in focusing on the numbered paper weights (the\nbasis weights). Instead, focus on the kind of paper you want, and then choose\nthe paper weights relatively. For example, if you know that 80 lb. glossy cover\nis the thinnest paper, and you want a thicker paper, then choose the thicker\none!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hope our paper weight guide has made this topic easier to understand! Remember, our customer service representatives are here to help. If you have any questions about the right paper size, type, or weight for your print job, we\u2019ll be happy to assist you in making the right choice. Contact us at 1-877-649-5463<\/a> or service@Printivity.com<\/a> and we can send you a free paper sample kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Shop Saddle Stitch Booklets at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Shop Folders at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Shop Postcards at Printivity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n - Metric weight.<\/strong> This refers to the actual weight of one sheet of paper cut 1 x 1 meter square. Always weighing the same size sheet provides a more uniform scale to judge a paper\u2019s weight and thickness. The most common metric used here is GSM, or grams per square meter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- U.S. Basis Weight.<\/strong> This is defined as \u201cthe weight of 500 sheets of paper in its basic unit uncut size.\u201d The weight is determined before the paper is cut to its final size, such as Letter or Legal. <\/li>\n\n\n\n