Papers And Inks

Brightness, whiteness, weight, opacity, size...who knew there were so many factors to consider when choosing a paper? Here are the basic variables to keep in mind:

• Quality: Paper quality is given as a number, Number 1 being the highest quality and Number 5 the lowest. Newsprint is an example of a Number 5 sheet. Only the highest quality projects, such as fine art posters, use a Number 1 sheet. HOP does most printing on Number 2 and some Number 3 sheets.
• Opacity: The amount of light that light passes through a sheet of paper. This is related in part to the weight (or thickness) of paper.
• Weight: Paper weight is measured by the ream (500 sheets), in the paper's basic size. For example, copy paper's basic size might be 8 1/2" x 11", while paper used to make business cards is 20" x 26". A 65 lb. cover stock, for example, which might be used for business cards, has the same thickness as 120 lb. text stock, which might be used for the pages of a brochure.
• Finish: A gloss finish offers the ultimate in reproduction detail, while dull and matte finishes make reading large quantities of text easier.
• Texture: How rough or smooth a paper is, and what pattern you can see on the surface. A laid finish is a traditional finish of wire marks embossed onto the surface, linen and silk finishes are fabric-like, and there are many others.
• Color: Specifically, hue and brightness, as well as whether the color is uniform across the page or includes flecks or other non-uniform elements.
• Brightness: The amount of light (given as a percentage) that a sheet of paper reflects. More reflection will make copy crisper and give photos and illustrations more "snap" and impact.