What Paper Stock Should I Use? Decisions, Decisions…

Stock choices are endless. Different weights, different textures, different color shades, different finishes. With all these variables, where do you start when choosing a stock that best suits your project?

First, take a look at what you are printing. Are you printing a single postcard or a 50-page manual? The application in which you are using your printed piece will help you determine a lot. Second, consider your audience. Are you sending an invitation for your child’s first birthday party or for your company’s annual black tie gala?

Now, let’s look at paper weights, from lightest to heaviest, and what they are most commonly used for.

Next: Textures and finishes. The first group of stock types is more commonly used and less expensive. Typically, these stocks are used on stationery materials, resumes, memos, and the like.

• Wove stock is an uncoated stock with a slight texture. This is much like what you would see as your everyday copy paper. Typically, wove stock is offered in text weights.
• Smooth stock is not much different than wove, but has a more even feel to it, therefore it is “smoother” than wove.  Smooth stocks are offered in both text and cover weights.
• Vellum stock appears to be smooth to the untrained eye. However, there is a subtle rough, almost eggshell-like look to it. Vellum has a high ink absorbency rate and is typically seen offered in a 67 lb. Bristol weight.

The next group of stocks has a visual edge over the first group and offers a more professional, formal look. With this attractive look, however, comes a bigger price tag, costing more than most other stocks. These stocks can be found in both text and cover weights but are not recommended for heavy color coverage pieces.

• Linen stock resembles a linen cloth and has subtle lines that crisscross one another. Linen stock is a textured stock in which you can feel these translucent woven lines.
• Laid stocks have fine translucent lines running parallel to the length of the paper. Like linen, this is a textured stock, only with more of a ribbed feel.
• Felt stock has a soft, cloth-like feel to it. Unlike linen and laid stocks, there are no textured lines.

Finally, let’s move on to coated stocks. This group is best known for high quality and heavy coverage printing. These coated stocks are typically offered in heavier text weights (32 lb., 80 lb., 100 lb.) and cover weights. Coated stocks are great for any materials that will be in front of your audience, whoever they may be. This includes but is not limited to flyers, brochures, booklets, magazines, and posters.

• Gloss stock has a sheen and reflective appearance. It can be coated on each side, or one side only. This finish will produce the most vibrant color prints.
• Silk stocks are considered semi-gloss. While still shiny and reflective, the luster is not as high as on a gloss finished stock. Silk finished stocks are considered to be the middle of the road in terms of color vibrancy.
• Matte finished stocks are without luster and have a dull coating. Even though glossy stocks produce the most vibrant colors, matte finished stocks still produce nice, professional quality prints.

Now that you have a little more knowledge of paper stocks, we hope you can find one that is perfect for your next project. If you still need some expert advice, don't forget that you can contact the team at Avalon. One of our team members would be more than happy to help find a stock that is perfect for your project.