How to choose the best type of paper for your print job

Different printing tasks like business cards and brochures call for different types of paper. For example, white inkjet paper works well for day-to-day print jobs, but some projects—especially those delivered to clients—require special printing paper with a glossy finish or heavy-duty thickness. Understanding the different types of printer paper will help you make your projects look their best. After you have that knowledge, you can use FedEx’s finish and paper weight guide to find the right kind of paper for any project.

Not all paper is treated—or produced—equally, and it’s important to select the right type of paper for a given task. The most common types are:

• Cardstock is thicker than ordinary paper. This added durability means it’s often used to create paper menus, postcards, and invitations. Cardstock is available coated or uncoated, depending on the project.
• Cardboard is made from unbleached wood pulp and consists of two smooth outer layers and one corrugated inner layer. It’s a heavy-duty choice for shipping materials and tasks where durability is more important than appearance.
• Foam board, or foam core, has a polystyrene core layered between two pieces of paper. Foam board is a popular choice for business professionals because it’s an inexpensive, lightweight, and sturdy printer paper—perfect for presentations.

Coated vs. uncoated paper

The choice between a coated or uncoated finish affects the paper’s feel, texture, and durability. Coated paper has a light layer of clay on the surface that sharpens images and details. Coated paper’s finishes range from matte to high gloss. It’s best for projects that require colors and pictures to be crisp or that require a long-lasting, moisture-resistant paper that will keep the ink from bleeding. Coated paper is most often used for magazines, product catalogs, brochures, and postcards.

Alternatively, uncoated paper doesn’t have a layer covering the natural fibers, making it more absorbent than coated sheets. It’s best for print jobs without images or when people will write on the final product. Uncoated paper is most often used for stationery, envelopes, flyers, and newsletters.

How to choose the right printer paper weight

Weight selections for printer paper are often displayed as numbers and hash symbols. The # symbol refers to how much each ream weighs in pounds. For example, an 80-pound ream of cover stock may have the designation of 80# cover. Cardstock paper weight is measured in points. Each point—such as 12 pt. or 16 pt.—represents the thickness in thousandths of an inch.

The optimal paper weight depends on your project. Typically, heavier paper is thicker and stiffer. Ask yourself these questions when considering your weight options:

• Do you need to fold the paper?
• Is your project several pages?
• Is it for internal communications or customer materials?
• Are you using a lot of saturated colors and graphics?

When to use heavier paper

Heavier reams are best when you need your printing project to be durable and less susceptible to rips and wrinkles. Heavy sheets hold up better to embossing or foil stamping, and sturdy printer paper feels more impressive than run-of-the-mill sheets. Heavy reams are the best paper for printing these projects: business cards, flyers, brochures, posters, and Every Door Direct Mail®.

In addition, U.S. postal regulations have minimum thickness requirements for some types of mail. You can find details about these regulations in the U.S. Postal Service’s Physical Standards.

When to keep it light

Thin, lightweight paper may not be as flashy, but it is sufficient for budget projects. Lighter reams of paper cost much less, especially when you buy in bulk. Plus, lightweight paper means lower shipping costs, so you can use thinner sheets for mail that doesn’t need to adhere to weight requirements. Ordinary printing assignments, like projects with high page counts, are also suitable for thinner paper. Other applications include legal documents, presentations, and resumes.

Putting it all together

Now that you understand your paper choices, it’s time to streamline your project. FedEx Office’s online printing services can help. Use a custom design or browse a library of templates to create professional business cards and marketing materials that will make a great impression with your customers. 

Enroll in the FedEx Advantage discounts program, using passcode 53HPGK, to save on services that help keep your business in motion.

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