It’s Just Paper… Right? When Paper Type Matters
Why Paper Type Matters
It’s not something that most of us think about too often, but cast your mind back to when you last dined at your favourite restaurant. What was your first impression upon settling down and starting to peruse the menu?
Chances are, if your first impression was good, it was probably due in part to the attention-to-detail made by the establishment. This would have come right down to the quality of their menu, including its paper type. Was the menu a home-printed laminated job? Not very impressive… Or was it a beautifully finished piece to match the level of service and quality of dishes on offer, making you look forward to your meal even more? (and maybe consider ordering dessert too !)
Let’s look at another example; we all get promotional leaflets through our doors, but imagine you’re thinking about having your garden landscaped. You’ve received leaflets from two companies offering the same service, at the same price. One leaflet is printed on lovely, smooth silk paper and the other on a home laser printer. So let’s be honest; which company are you most likely to opt for?
Which Paper Should I Choose?
So, by now we’ve converted you to being a paper geek exactly like us (OK, maybe not just yet!), but how do you know which paper type to use, and when?
Of course, this depends on what you’re printing and what it will be used for. The Printing House offer a range of paper, finishing and print processes from lamination (soft-touch, matt and gloss) and foil blocking, to spot UV varnishing and LED-UV drip-off varnishing. Here is our quick guide on what paper to use for which type of print…
Flyers and Leaflets
We suggest a 200 gsm silk paper as it feels thicker than standard paper with a slightly silky feel. It enables a punchy print so is ideal for promotional leaflets. It’s also a cost-effective option so it’s great for mass print.
Menus
A thicker paper type, or even board, should be used to prevent wear-and-tear and the edges from curling over time. We suggest a minimum of 300gsm silk board with a soft touch lamination, to give the print an expensive feel without the price tag! This will also be more scratch resistant than other forms of lamination but will still have a lovely soft-touch feel. You could even display your menus in bespoke-printed binders to give them the ‘wow’ factor.
Catalogues and Brochures
Catalogues, prospectuses and brochures should have a thicker cover with thinner inserts. If your products or services are mid to higher value, we suggest opting for a thicker cover and inserts than the norm, as the brochure will feel higher quality to the reader and therefore be a better reflection of the higher-end product or service being promoted.
In summary - why paper type matters and when we should be choosier over the type that we use:
- It creates the best first impression and lets you stand out from your competitors.
- If you’re creating leaflets and flyers, use a slightly thicker paper with a silk finish.
- For menus, opt for a silk laminate on thick paper or board and consider bespoke binders or holders.
- For catalogues, prospectuses and brochures, go with a thicker paper than the norm to reflect the value of your product.
Keep a look out for future blogs from The Printing House where we’ll talk about the power of finishing – to really give your print ‘punch’.
If you would like more information on how The Printing House can help you with your print needs, call 01270 212200 or email enquiries@theprintinghouseltd.co.uk.