Choosing the Right Paper

The Decision Depends on the Job

Knowing when to choose a different paper from the standard can be overwhelming. The answer depends on the type of job you are printing and what your intent for the final product is.

Here are some things to think about when you are deciding on paper choice.

Type of Ink?

If you are printing in black and white, most likely you will be using regular 20lb paper. This is the cheapest choice and is more than adequate for most simple jobs.

If you are printing in color, then you will need to consider the final need for the printing job. Ask yourself these questions.

What is the Intended Look?

The more professional you want your print to look, the more you should consider using higher quality paper. This paper will be slightly heavier and will include a gloss coating. If you are working within a budget, regular laser text is an adequate substitute but will give more of a matte finished look.

How much Durability do I need?

What is the intended purpose? If you need strength, or for something to last longer, choose a heavier weight text or even a cover stock. If it will be heavily manhandled, for example by the post office, or used heavily like bookmarks, then definitely choose a heavier weight paper. An informational flyer that you know could quickly be discarded, could be printed on the lightest text weight paper.

What is the Purpose of this file?

For informational flyers, a light text weight is sufficient. By spending more for the glossy finish, you will upgrade the look of your flyer. The 24lb laser or the 80lb glossy is a wise decision. For larger size flyers like 11 x 17 or 12 x 18, a slightly heavier text weight of the 100lb text can be considered for strength while tacked to a board for some time.

For Brochures or folded pamphlets, a heavier text weight is ideal. It has the durability of the heavier weight stock, and the lightness of regular text weight. The best choice for this is 100lb glossy text.

Booklets can be confusing. Do you go with all the same weight, even for the cover? Or do you choose a heavier text weight for the cover and lighter text weight for the inside? This second option will give you a sturdier booklet allowing the cover to take the brunt of the manhandling force, while the lighter text weight will keep the booklet from becoming too heavy or cumbersome. This works for either left corner, 2-side stapled or saddle-stitch booklets. If you are planning on using a clear front and a black back for your booklet, then keeping the entire booklet the same weight makes sense.

Business Cards are printed on 80# cardstock. This weight has been chosen by the University.

Paper Types

20# White (not available in 12x18 size) – Basic printer paper
20# Pastel – A pastel colored paper. Same thickness as the 20# White.
24# Brites – A slightly thicker paper that comes in several vibrant colors.
24# White Laser – A slightly thicker white paper with a smooth finish.
32# White Laser – A white paper that is thicker than the 24#. Very opaque.
65# Brite Cardstock – A slightly thinner cardstock that comes in several vibrate colors.
67# Pastel Cardstock – A slightly thinner cardstock that comes in several pastel colors.
80# Matte Cardstock – Basic white cardstock. Thicker.
80# Natural Cardstock – The unbleached version of the basic cardstock. Yellowed/Crème aged color.
80# Smooth White Text – A sturdy thin paper that is slightly thicker than the 32# but is still has more flexibility than cardstock. Smooth matte finish. 
80# Smooth White Cover – Same as the 80# smooth text just sturdier. Cardstock like. Smooth matte finish. 
80# Silk White Text – A sturdy thin paper that is a step up from the 32# but is still has more flexibility than cardstock. Glossy finish.
80# Silk White Cover – Same as the 80# silk text just sturdier. Cardstock like. Glossy finish.
100# Silk White Text – A sturdy white paper that is a step up from the 80# but is still has more flexibility than cardstock. Glossy finish.
10# Silk White Cover – Same as the 100# text just sturdier. Cardstock like. Glossy finish. 
100# Gloss Text – A thin but sturdy paper with a glossy coating on both sides.
100# Gloss Cover – A thick cardstock paper that has a glossy coating on both sides.
C1S Gloss Copy Gloss – A thick cardstock paper that has a glossy coating on one side and matte on the other.