Big Impact? It Is All In The Paper
by: Lynne Saarte
Before you start your design for your catalogs, one of the most important decisions you have to make is the paper stock you’re going to use. With any luck, you’ll be able to select the best kind that would really make a big impact to your target clients.
On the other hand, if you’re not sure what to use for your catalog printing, then this article can help you to find the most appropriate paper for your catalogs.
Regardless of the size, color, or even the finishing of your print materials, the kind of paper you’re going to choose should depend on the kind of catalog printing piece you’re making.
However, for the sake of understanding the different paper stocks that can be utilized for your catalogs, let’s see and compare what other kind of paper can be used for other marketing collaterals.
Book Paper –
Except for newsprint and Bristol, book paper is also very suitable for catalog printing, or any other printing job in general. Especially for offset printing, book paper can be applied with different finishes, including coated or uncoated.
This type of paper is almost ideal for most printing jobs not only because it is more opaque than the bond paper, but also that book paper can be printed on both sides. It can also manage any folds you apply to it, which makes it more durable than any other kind.
Usually with 25 x 38 inches and basis weights ranging from 22 to 150 lbs, book paper is preferred for offset printing precisely because it’s very resistant when it comes to water and picking.
Cover Paper –
This is usually the heavy, stiff paper that is used on book covers, file and presentation folders, greeting cards, business cards, or any other kind of cards. Hence, it’s also called card stock.
With a basic size of 20 x 26 inches, some of the cover paper may have matching book paper that can have the same color and finishing.
Bristol Paper –
Similar to cover paper, Bristol paper is also a heavyweight. It’s made thick by putting one layer over another, until you achieve the thickness you need. You can also laminate papers together to create your desired width.
Bristol paper is commonly used for catalog covers, file folders, tags, tickets, and paperback books. Sometimes, wedding invitations can also be made from Bristol paper.
Newsprint –
This is the most inexpensive paper with a basic 24 x 26 inches of size. What makes it cheap is that newsprint are generally created ground wood pulp. This is much cheaper than using chemical pulp.
What’s more, newsprint has shorter yeas to live and is cheap to produce in bulk. Nevertheless, it can withstand the printing process.
To make sure that you’re getting the most appropriate paper choice for your catalogs, discuss with your catalog printer your paper needs. Your printer can even suggest a few suppliers who not only can provide you the kind of paper that you need, but most importantly, the saving you’ll have on your overall costs.