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- Products, paper and finishes
Products, paper and finishes
Paper weights, finishes, lamination and choosing between options.
- What does gsm mean, and which paper weight should I choose? Gsm is grams per square metre: the weight of the paper. Higher numbers are thicker and stiffer. Flyers are light, business cards heavy.
- What is the difference between silk, gloss and uncoated paper? Silk is smooth with a low sheen, gloss is shiny and makes colour punchy, uncoated is natural and can be written on. If in doubt, silk.
- What is lamination, and do I need it? Lamination is a thin protective film over the print. It resists spills, fingerprints and wear, and is worth it for anything handled often.
- Should I choose matt, gloss or soft-touch lamination? All three protect equally. Gloss is shiny and makes photos pop, matt is non-reflective and understated, soft-touch feels velvety.
- Which paper and finish should I choose for business cards? 350gsm silk with matt lamination is a common all-round choice. Go to 450gsm for a thicker card, or uncoated if people need to write on it.
- Which paper should I choose for flyers and leaflets? Silk is the most common choice for flyers. Use gloss for photo-led designs and uncoated for a natural look or anything written on.
- Will my print match the colours I see on screen? Not exactly. Screens make colour with light and presses with ink, so some variation is normal. Paper and finish change colour too.
- Which paper can I write on? Choose uncoated paper if people need to write or stamp on your print. Silk takes a ballpoint. Gloss and laminated surfaces are difficult.
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