Paper Guide

Paper, Labels & Finishing Guide

The Right Material Makes Every Printed Piece Better

Choose paper based on how the finished product should look, feel, fold, mail, perform and withstand handling. This guide summarizes our most common paper, label, synthetic and finishing options.

Text Paper Cardstock Labels Specialty Stock Coatings
Quick Overview

Start With the Intended Use

Text paper is flexible and works well for brochures, flyers and booklet pages. Cover stock is thicker and better suited for business cards, postcards and covers. Labels, carbonless forms, synthetic materials and specialty stocks are selected for specific performance needs.

Text Paper

Available in common 60lb, 70lb, 80lb and 100lb weights, depending on the selected finish.

Cover Stock

Available in common 65lb through 130lb cover weights and 10pt through 18pt commercial cardstock.

Special-Use Materials

Includes labels, carbonless forms, synthetic paper, plastic, laminated and multi-layer stocks.

Lightweight to Heavy

General Weight and Thickness Guide

This is a visual comparison only. Exact thickness and stiffness vary by manufacturer, coating and stock construction.

Lightweight Flexible Heavy & Rigid
20lb Bond / 50lb Text
Copy paper and office forms
60lb–70lb Text
Handouts and inserts
80lb Text
Flyers and brochures
100lb Text
Premium brochures and catalogs
65lb–80lb Cover
Light cards and covers
100lb Cover / 10pt–12pt
Business cards and postcards
110lb–130lb Cover / 14pt–18pt
Premium cards and covers
24pt–38pt Specialty
Ultra-thick layered cards
Available Materials

Paper, Cardstock, Labels and Specialty Stock

Availability varies by product, finished size, quantity and production method.

Text Paper

Flexible paper for brochures, flyers, inserts and booklet pages.

  • Gloss: 80lb and 100lb
  • Matte: 80lb and 100lb
  • Uncoated: 60lb, 70lb, 80lb and 100lb

Bond & Writing Paper

Suitable for stationery, forms, correspondence and office use.

  • 20lb, 24lb, 28lb and 32lb bond
  • Copy, pastel and bright color papers
  • Cotton, fiber, laid, linen, natural and Strathmore

Cover Cardstock

Heavier paper for cards, postcards, folders and covers.

  • Gloss: 80lb, 100lb and 130lb
  • Matte: 80lb, 100lb and 130lb
  • Uncoated: 65lb, 80lb, 100lb, 110lb and 130lb

Commercial Cardstock

Point-based cardstock for durable printed pieces.

  • C1S: 10pt, 12pt, 14pt, 16pt and 18pt
  • C2S: 10pt, 12pt, 14pt, 16pt and 18pt

Textured & Premium

Specialty surfaces for stationery, invitations and premium pieces.

  • Bright color, pastel, felt, fiber and laid
  • Linen, natural, Strathmore and pearlized
  • Brown kraft and pearl metallic

Labels

Paper, film and specialty adhesive materials.

  • Gloss, matte, kraft and recycled
  • Clear, white and silver BOPP
  • Blockout, removable, fluorescent and foil
  • Weather-resistant vinyl

Carbonless Forms

Multi-part business-form sets without loose carbon paper.

  • 2-part through 6-part sets
  • Standard color sequences
  • White/White 2-part option

Synthetic & Plastic

Durable materials for moisture resistance and repeated handling.

  • 6mil, 8mil and 11mil synthetic
  • 20pt opaque, frosted and clear plastic
  • 10pt EndurACE cardstock

Laminated & Specialty

Premium materials with distinctive texture and construction.

  • 16pt gloss, silk, velvet and suede laminated
  • 32pt uncoated cardstock
  • 24pt–38pt Trifecta multi-layer cardstock
Simple Selection Guide

Choose Paper Based on Your Main Priority

Start with the most important requirement for the finished product.

Easy Folding
Brochures, folded flyers and booklet pages Use flexible text paper that folds more easily than cardstock.
80lb or 100lb text
Bright Images
Photo-heavy marketing materials Gloss paper provides stronger shine, contrast and color.
Gloss text, gloss cover or C2S
Low Glare
Corporate brochures and presentation materials Matte provides a smooth coated surface with less reflection.
Matte text or matte cover
Easy Writing
Forms, stationery, notepads and response cards Uncoated stock accepts ordinary pens and stamps more reliably.
Bond, natural or uncoated paper
Stiffness
Business cards, postcards and covers Use cover stock or point-based cardstock for rigidity.
100lb–130lb cover or 14pt–18pt
Moisture Resistance
Menus, labels and frequently handled pieces Synthetic, plastic, vinyl and BOPP resist moisture better.
Synthetic, plastic, vinyl or BOPP
Premium Feel
Luxury cards, invitations and presentation pieces Textured, laminated or layered stocks provide added distinction.
Linen, pearlized, suede, velvet or Trifecta
Recommended Paper by Product

Common Starting Points

These recommendations are general. Available options may vary by product, quantity and production method.

Business Cards

100lb–130lb cover or 14pt–18pt cardstock

Choose heavier or specialty stock for a more substantial, premium feel.

Brochures

80lb or 100lb text

Gloss works well for photographs. Matte offers less glare. Uncoated is better when writing is required.

Flyers

60lb–100lb text

Use lighter weights for economical distribution and heavier text paper for a more substantial presentation.

Postcards

100lb–130lb cover or 14pt–16pt cardstock

A heavier stock provides better stiffness and durability during handling and mailing.

Rack Cards

100lb–130lb cover or 14pt cardstock

Choose a stock stiff enough to remain upright in a display rack.

Greeting Cards

100lb–130lb cover

Scoring is generally recommended before folding heavier cardstock.

Letterheads

20lb–32lb bond or premium uncoated paper

Select a stock compatible with office printers when the letterhead will be printed later.

Booklets & Catalogs

70lb–100lb text pages with cover-stock covers

The ideal combination depends on page count, binding and desired finished thickness.

Presentation Folders

Heavy cover or 14pt–18pt cardstock

Coating or lamination can add durability and improve appearance.

Forms & Notepads

Bond or uncoated text paper

Uncoated paper is preferred when handwriting, stamping or office printing is required.

Labels

Paper, BOPP, vinyl or specialty adhesive stock

Select based on the surface, adhesive, removability, opacity and exposure conditions.

Menus

Synthetic, plastic or laminated cover stock

Consider moisture resistance, cleaning and repeated handling.

Surface Appearance

Popular Paper and Coating Finishes

Finishes affect shine, texture, color reproduction, durability and how easily the surface can be written on.

Gloss

Smooth and reflective. Gloss makes photographs and colors appear brighter and more vivid.

Matte

Smooth coated finish with less glare than gloss and a softer, understated appearance.

Uncoated

Natural, absorbent surface with little or no shine. It is generally the easiest finish to write or stamp on.

Linen & Textured

Visible surface texture that gives stationery, invitations and premium materials a distinctive feel.

Pearlized

A subtle shimmer that reflects light and creates an elegant, premium appearance.

UV High Gloss

Highly reflective coating that adds shine and surface protection. It can be difficult to write on.

Aqueous & Satin Aqueous

Clear protective coatings. Satin aqueous has less shine and a softer appearance than standard aqueous.

Lamination

Gloss, silk, velvet and suede films add durability and a premium feel. Laminated finishes are difficult to write on.

Plastic & Synthetic

Durable materials that resist moisture and repeated handling. Permanent markers may be required for writing.

Need a Writable Surface?

Uncoated paper is generally the best choice for handwriting, signatures, stamps and office printing. Gloss paper, UV coating, aqueous coating, plastic and laminated surfaces may be difficult to write on with ordinary pens. A permanent marker or designated uncoated writing area may be required.

Common Questions

Paper and Finishing FAQ

What is the difference between text paper and cover stock?
Text paper is lighter and more flexible. Cover stock is thicker and more rigid. Text paper is common for brochures and flyers, while cover stock is common for cards and covers.
Is 100lb text the same as 100lb cover?
No. One hundred pound cover is substantially heavier and more rigid than 100lb text because the two categories use different basis-weight systems.
What is the difference between gloss and matte?
Gloss has more shine and usually makes colors appear more vivid. Matte has less glare and creates a softer, understated appearance.
Which finish is easiest to write on?
Uncoated paper is generally the easiest surface to write, stamp or print on. Coated, laminated and plastic surfaces may require a permanent marker.
What are C1S and C2S cardstock?
C1S means coated on one side. C2S means coated on both sides. C1S is useful when one side needs a coated surface and the reverse needs a more natural or writable surface.
Which label material is best for moisture?
Vinyl, BOPP and other film-based labels generally resist moisture better than standard paper labels. Adhesive, surface type and exposure must also be considered.
Do all products offer every material listed here?
No. Material and finishing options vary by product, size, quantity, printing method, equipment and current availability.
Need Help Choosing?

Let Us Match the Material to Your Project

Tell us what you are printing, how it will be used and whether appearance, writing, durability, moisture resistance or thickness is most important.

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