About Paper Stock

Paper stock is a stiff or rigid paper. Paper stock is used everyday by anyone who uses an inkjet printer, whether in the home or commercial setting. Paper stock can be bought from your local office supply store or even a local paper warehouse that specializes in various types of paper stock for everything from postcards to doorhangers to envelopes and more.

Types

Coated stocks are used for a higher end look. Coated stocks are available in a variety of finishes: gloss, matte, satin or dull. Uncoated stocks are generally good for print jobs that people will be writing on such as reply cards or applications. You can also get different colors within coated and uncoated stock. Uncoated stock comes in common colors such as white, ivory, cream and natural. Both coated and uncoated stock are available in either cover weight or text weight. Cover weight starts at 80 lb. and goes higher. Standard cover stocks are 80 lb., 100 lb., 120 lb., 130 lb. and 140 lb. Text-weight stock starts at 20 lb., which is low-grade copy paper and not very opaque, meaning when you print on one side you can see through from the back side. Common weight classifications are 20 lb., 24 lb., 28 lb. and 32 lb. The most common commercial papers are 70-lb. text, 80-lb. text and 100-lb. text.

Size

Most home printers--whether laser or ink jet--will run letter-size paper, which is 8 1/2 by 11 inches, legal size, which is 8 1/2 by 14 inches and tabloid which is 11 by 17 inches. Digital commercial printers prefer to run 12 x 18 inches. For digital commercial printers, it is more cost-efficient to run 12 x 18 paper instead of 11 x 17.

Uses

Cover-weight paper stock is generally used for business cards, postcards, brochures, rack cards, invitations, reply cards and doorhangers. Text-weight stock is commonly used for general purpose memos, notepads, flyers and tri-fold brochures.

Misconceptions

Consumers who do their own printing or designing may tend to use cheaper papers because of cost or because their printers cannot handle heavy stock. This often makes the finished product look unprofessional and may send the wrong message to potential customers.

Expert Insight

Eric Wagner, owner of Progressive Graphics, which has been in the printing industry for over 30 years, says that for the small business owner, full-color digital printing is a tremendous value and asset to her marketing and presentation needs. Small business owners no longer have to run 5,000 pieces to get a good price. Digital printing allows the small business owner to contract for shorter runs so she does not have to create a large printing inventory. It also allows her to adapt and change her marketing pieces cost-effectively.

For Environmentally Conscious Business Owners

A number of papers are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, which means that the paper and board have been produced in a responsible way, respecting people, wildlife and forest environments.