Design Production: Selecting Paper

selecting paper

Selecting paper stocks & weights, print specifications, quotations and colour reproduction.

colour reproduction                     When discussing paper stock and weights, you can also check colour

reproduction through Pantone swatches, this will illustrate accurately how a colour will reproduce on a particular surface, coated or uncoated for example. It is crucial that you show examples of colour reproduction on different surfaces, to illustrate the differences. When you specify uncoated paper stocks, show how the colour (s) you have selected will reproduce in relation to same palette on a coated stock. There may a requirement within the project, to produce a document printed on a smooth coated surface. Considerations have to be made to make sure the colour pallete you have selected is a close as possible and successful in reproduction across a range of paper surfaces and finishes. Work with the printer, ask for examples and advice, but don't accept that some colour selections just print that way...determine the final outcome of colour selections, if the colours need slightly adjusting for uncoated stocks, then amend the colour scheme to achieve a successful comparative colour reproduction.

These decisions are yours, the printer will reproduce your artwork based on your aims and objectives: colours, paper, image reproduction and processes. When the printer runs your artwork/job to the colour proofing stage, you will then present this to your client, to check colour, image quality and legibility. The printers proof will almost always be a different stock to the final printed document. Therefore this is closest colour reproduction the printer can show you, which in turn you will show your client, but there will be a difference when the project is printed. This is particularly the case when printing on uncoated stocks and surfaces. It is important that you show an example of the proposed paper stock, the printers proof illustrating image quality, and previous printed examples through the process you have specified from your designated printer.

From the point of discussions and final approval of the proofs/examples for your client, you can then press-pass the project. A press-pass is when the artwork is going through the printers press on the actual stock using the print process you have specified, you are able to check the first sheets through the press. You can approve the project, slightly adjust the colours or if the reproduction/stock is not correct or successful, the process can be stopped and the artwork adjusted at the final artwork/repro stage. A different process and paper stock can be specified to meet the requirements of clients brief and objectives.

selecting paper

Selecting paper stocks & weights, print specifications, quotations and colour reproduction.

Coated paper

Paper with a clay or other coating applied to one or both sides is coated paper. Coated papers are available in a gloss, silk (sometimes called satin) or matt finish and are used for projects requiring a fine finish, which is why coated paper is sometimes referred to as 'art' paper. Coated paper generally produces sharper, brighter images and has better reflectivity than uncoated paper. Coated paper is used to print brochures, leaflets & posters and a wide range of design for print formats, especially high volume print runs.

Uncoated paper

Paper that does not have any kind of coating applied is uncoated paper. Through not having a coating this stock is not as smooth as a coated page. Uncoated paper is available in many different finishes, colours, and weights and is generally more absorbent than coated paper. Premium quality uncoated paper is used for business stationery, and commonly used in laser printers. Uncoated stocks are also used as an alternative or in conjunction to coated stocks in a wide range of design for print disciplines.Uncoated papers are available in a range of finishes:

• Wove

Paper made on a closely woven wire roller or mold and having a faint mesh pattern. Wove is a popular sheet for stationery and book publishing. Wove is a premium quality paper with a uniform surface, not ribbed or textured like laid paper.

• Laid

Laid paper is a premium quality paper with a textured pattern of parallel lines, similar to hand made paper. Commonly used for business stationery.

• Bond

An economic, uncoated wove paper, often used for copying or laser printers. A higher quality bond stock can be used for letterheads.

Weight of paper

It is normal practice to specify the weight of paper in GM or GSM abbreviations for 'grams per square metre'. This indicates the weight of paper or other stock. For example a typical photocopier paper is 80gsm, a good letterhead paper might be 120 gsm, a postcard would be about 300gsm.

As papers are graded by weight, one manufacturer's 150gsm paper may seem slightly bulkier or thicker than a competitor's product. A paper's GSM rating is a good guide to how 'thick' or 'stiff the paper will feel but always ask for paper samples if you're unsure. Card or 'board' as it is usually called in the industry is sometimes measured in microns, a micron is 1000th of a millimetre.

selecting paper

Selecting paper stocks & weights, print specifications, quotations and colour reproduction.
Samples quotations            Example quotations you may specify for an A3 poster/4 page A4 project:

1st version:

A3 poster 297mm wide x 420mm high

folded to 4 page A4 brochure/booklet

printed 4 colour process on l70gmsilk (both sides)

with spot UV varnish on 1 side

Quantities: 100 & 200

Costs: 445.00 + VAT (Runon: 15.00)

2nd version:

A3 poster 297mm wide x 420mm high

folded to 4 page A4 brochure/booklet

printed 4 colour process on 135gm uncoated (both sides)

die-cut shape (1 corner into a shape)

Quantities: 100 & 200

Costs: 348.00 + VAT (Rim on : 15.00)

3rd version:

A3 poster 297mm wide x 420mm high

folded to 4 page A4 brochure/booklet

printed 2 spot colours on 135gm uncoated (both sides)

Quantities: 100 & 200

Costs: 182.00 + VAT (Run on : 12.00)

selecting paper

Selecting paper stocks & weights, print specifications, quotations and colour reproduction.

Paper sizes

SRA size paper is used by commerical printing companies. It is slightly larger than the A series to provide room for grip, trim and bleed. These paper series are untrimmed raw paper. RA stands for "raw format A" and SRA stands for "supplementary raw format A". The RA and SRA formats are slightly larger than the corresponding A series formats. These paper sheets will after printing and binding be cut to the match the A format.

Bleed

This prevents unwanted white borders around the edges of a printed document. It is not possible to print all the way to the edge of the paper sheet. To achieve this effect it is necessary to print a larger area than is required and then trim the paper down. Bleed is an essential part of creating artwork for print. A design will always extend or 'bleed background elements and images beyond the edges of the document by an additional 3mm.

Paper sizes

AO	841x1189mm	SRA0	900 x1280mm
Al	594 x841mm	SRA1	640 x 900mm
A2	420 x 594mm	SRA2	450 x 640mm
A3	297 x 420mm	SRA3	320 x450mm
A4	210 x297mm	SRA4	225 x 320mm
A5	148 x210mm
A6	105 x148mm

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