Paper Tips: Uncoated Speaks Softer

CreativePro Staff

This story courtesy of PaperSpecs.com.

Traditionally, coated paper has been the first choice for designs that show detail and color that pops. Influenced by economic changes and an organic trend in colors, uncoated smooth and textured papers are making a comeback.
Designers are now comparing uncoated with coated sheets for brochures, stationery, and manuals. To compete with the demand, a wider variety of uncoated papers are coming into the market.
On a corporate level, uncoated papers are being used to project a kinder and gentler corporate image. Softer finishes, like silk and satin, are also in high demand.
The other significant trend in the use of uncoated papers is the request for heavier paper stock. Already a standard in Europe, the trend is toward heavier weights and double thick covers. With an eye on tight budgets, heavier paper can make up for fewer pages and still give a credible, dependable feel.
Uncoated papers come in a variety of colors. Some paper mills laminate two different colored sheets within one brand to create a duplex sheet. There are also different weights and textures available with many different surface treatments. The following are some of the most popular uncoated finishes.

• Smooth/Super Smooth
  Plain, untextured paper is made smooth and level from the paper passing through sets of rollers during the papermaking process. A smooth finish is the most popular uncoated paper finish because of its hard, uniform surface that provides strong ink holdout and crisp dot resolution for sharper images.
• Linen
  Linen is an embossed finish that imitates the weave of linen fabric to suggest a refined and conservative look. Many paper mills offer subtle linen textures and others provide highly embossed versions of the linen pattern.
• Laid
  Laid papers have historically been a very popular stationery sheet with a surface pattern of distinct parallel lines. The requirements of laser printers have motivated paper mills to produce compressed versions of the laid pattern for a smoother laser-compatible finish.
• Vellum
  This crisp, translucent paper with a subtle, rough surface comes in both solid colors and embossed designs. Vellum paper may be marbled, metallic, flecked with gold and silver, and embedded with leaves. Velum is suitable for invitations, greeting cards, and anywhere a translucent paper enhances a printed piece.
• Felt
  A felt finish has no obvious texture or pattern and is a highly absorbent paper. Expect dot gain when printing on a felt finish sheet. A 20% screen tint for any particular graphic element will print on a felt finish like a 35% screen tint would print on a smoother sheet.
• Wove
  Wove is a popular sheet for stationery and book publishing. This paper is bulky with only a slightly rough surface. Because of its bulk, the paper is ideal for laser printer projects and suggests quality and strength.

Printing on Uncoated Paper
With current prepress technology, the natural surface of uncoated papers is an ideal background for four-color process printing. Adobe Photoshop and new color-management systems make it possible for any designer and printer to create consistency and predictability on uncoated papers.
Uncoated stock is absorbent, so inks, varnishes, and coatings perform differently than on coated papers. For multicolor and specialty printing projects, it is important to choose the paper that will print with the best uniformity and consistency. Good-quality uncoated papers are manufactured to adjust to the sensitive balance between ink holdout and ink receptivity.

• To ensure your design will print as you envisioned, consult your printer and prepress professionals at the beginning of a project and clearly communicate your design expectations.
• When designing a project, keep in mind that printing on uncoated paper stocks can increase dot gain in half tone and screened areas. For best effects, choose photos or illustrations with sharp contrast.
• Don’t use varnishes to highlight designs on uncoated paper. Smooth sheets may seem as if they accept varnish like a coated sheet, but all uncoated papers absorb varnish. Although varnish won’t create a highlight effect on uncoated stock, it can be used as a sealant after the design is printed.
• Folding and scoring a light-colored, raised surface sheet printed with solid ink can result in exposed, light-colored fibers. A fold shouldn’t crack if scored properly and avoiding solid ink coverage that wraps around the fold can minimize cracking.
• Drying times vary, making it important to plan ahead for your piece to have ample time to dry completely.

These tips and the right color management system will take the uncertainty out of printing on uncoated stocks.