Paper Guide

Paper Guide for Printing | Cincinnati Minuteman Press

Choose the Right Stock

Printing Paper Guide

Compare paper finishes, weights, writing ability and common product uses so your printed piece looks, feels and performs the way you expect.

Paper Changes the Result

Appearance, Feel and Performance

Paper affects color, image sharpness, durability, folding, mailing, writing ability and overall presentation. The best choice depends on how the piece will be used—not only how thick or glossy it appears.

Color Appearance Coated stocks generally produce sharper images and stronger color contrast.

Writing Ability Uncoated paper is usually easiest to write on with common pens and pencils.

Thickness and Durability Cover stocks feel sturdier, while text stocks are better for folding and multi-page pieces.

Finishing Compatibility Scoring, folding, coating, mailing and binding may influence the recommended stock.

Gloss, Matte and Uncoated

These three broad categories cover many everyday commercial-printing applications.

Gloss Coated

Smooth and reflective, with vivid color and strong image detail. Often selected for marketing pieces featuring photography or bold graphics.

Very smooth surface
High color impact
More glare under direct light
Usually difficult to write on

Matte Coated

Smooth with less reflection than gloss. It offers a refined appearance while maintaining good color and image reproduction.

Low-glare coated surface
Professional, understated finish
Good image reproduction
Writing ability varies by ink and coating

Uncoated

Natural and absorbent, with more texture than coated paper. Commonly used where writing, stamping or a softer appearance matters.

Natural paper feel
Easy to write on
Softer, warmer color appearance
Excellent for stationery and forms

Understanding Paper Weight

Text Weight vs. Cover Weight

Text stocks are flexible and commonly used for interior pages, brochures and flyers. Cover stocks are thicker and commonly used for cards, covers, postcards, folders and pieces that need more rigidity.

Paper numbers are not universal measurements of thickness. A 100 lb text sheet is not the same thickness as 100 lb cover because the categories use different basis sizes.

Relative Feel

From Lightweight to Heavy

20–24 lb Bond

70–100 lb Text

80–100 lb Cover

110–130 lb Cover

These bars show relative feel only. Actual caliper varies by mill, finish, fiber content and manufacturing specification.

Quick Comparison

How Common Paper Types Differ

Use this table as a starting point. Product-page stock descriptions and current availability take priority.

Paper Type	Surface	Color Appearance	Writing Ability	Common Uses
Gloss Coated Text	Smooth and shiny	Vivid, high contrast	Limited	Brochures, flyers, catalogs, booklet pages
Matte Coated Text	Smooth, low glare	Balanced and refined	Varies	Reports, brochures, booklets, presentation materials
Uncoated Text	Natural and porous	Softer and warmer	Excellent	Letterheads, forms, newsletters, notepads
Gloss Coated Cover	Thick, smooth and shiny	Strong color impact	Limited	Postcards, rack cards, cards, covers
Matte Coated Cover	Thick and low glare	Professional and subdued	Varies	Folders, premium cards, reports, covers
Uncoated Cover	Thick with natural texture	Soft, tactile appearance	Excellent	Invitations, cards, certificates, premium stationery

Recommended Starting Points

Paper Choices by Product

These are common recommendations, not fixed rules. Quantity, production method, mailing, folding, coating and budget can change the best choice.

Business Cards Heavy cover stock for stiffness and durability; coated or uncoated depending on the desired feel.

Brochures Gloss or matte text stock for easy folding and strong image reproduction.

Postcards Premium cover stock for rigidity, mailing durability and strong color.

Flyers Text stock for lightweight distribution or cover stock for a more substantial handout.

Booklets Text-weight interior pages with an optional heavier cover for durability and presentation.

Letterheads Premium uncoated text stock that feeds through office printers and is easy to write on.

Presentation Folders Heavy cover stock, often coated, scored and folded for structure and durability.

Notepads and Forms Uncoated text or bond stock for reliable writing with pens and pencils.

Choose Based on Use

Four Questions to Ask

Will People Write on It? Choose uncoated or confirm pen compatibility before selecting a coated finish.

Does It Need to Fold? Text weight usually folds more easily; heavier cover stocks may need scoring.

Is Image Impact Most Important? Gloss or matte coated stock generally provides sharper images and stronger color.

Does It Need Extra Durability? Choose heavier cover stock or consider lamination, coating or a specialty material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paper Selection Questions

Common questions about weight, coating, color and writing ability.

Is 100 lb text the same thickness as 100 lb cover?

No. Text and cover are different paper categories with different basis sizes. A 100 lb cover sheet is generally much thicker and stiffer than 100 lb text.

Which paper produces the brightest color?

Gloss-coated white paper usually produces strong saturation and image contrast. Actual color also depends on the press, artwork, coating, ink coverage and paper brightness.

What paper is easiest to write on?

Uncoated stock is generally easiest to write on with standard pens and pencils. Writing on coated paper depends on the coating and the writing instrument.

Should folded pieces use text or cover stock?

Text stock is common for brochures because it folds easily. Cover stock can also be folded, but heavier sheets often require scoring to reduce cracking and improve the fold.

Does heavier paper always mean better quality?

No. The best paper is the one suited to the product. A heavy stock may be ideal for a postcard but unsuitable for booklet interior pages, forms or pieces that must fold compactly.

Can paper appearance vary from one order to another?

Yes. Paper shade, texture, caliper and finish can vary slightly by mill, manufacturing lot and current availability. Reorders should reference prior specifications whenever consistency is important.

Personal Assistance

Need Help Choosing a Paper?

Tell us the product, quantity, design style, intended use, writing requirements, budget and desired finish. We can recommend suitable paper and production options.

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