Understanding paper...
 

• Everyday copy machine paper described.

• Types of paper

• Paper Finishes

• Coated Paper facts

• Paper thickness chart

Knowing the basic characteristics of everyday bond will hopefully help you understand all other types of paper.

The typical paper you use on a basic printer at home is 20lb bond and is .004 of an inch thick.
The brightness is around 82, this is a measurement that goes up to around 96.
The finish is considered smooth or sometimes wove, that is with a slight texture.
The paper is uncoated, versus the clay coating found on gloss or matte stocks.
The paper typically has a low opacity that refers to the amount of light that can pass through.
This is important if you don’t like to see print from the other side of the sheet.

• Bond, Writing, usually considered business papers 20lb, 24lb, 28lb & rarely 32lb

• Book (uncoated) 50lb, 60lb, 70lb, and rarely 80lb. Mostly in whites

• Book (coated gloss & matte or dull) 60lb, 70lb, 80lb, 100lb. Mostly white

• Text, 70lb, 80lb. Similar to book, but in a wide variety of colors and finishes.

• Cover (coated gloss & matte or dull) 80lb, 100lb. Mostly white

• Cover (uncoated), Comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes.

• Smooth

• Wove, slight texture

• Vellum, heavy texture

• Linen

• Laid

• Light cockle

• Felt, like vellum

• C1s, coated 1 side

• C2s, coated 2 sides

• Gloss, coated both sides

• Matte & dull, coated both sides

• 99% of coated paper is made in white?

• The coating is made of clay?

• It is best used where graphic detail is important, like pictures?

• Bond, text and writing papers are not normally coated?

• 80lb book gloss is about the same thickness as standard copy paper?