When preparing for a paper-based print project, one of the choices before you is “what paper stock should I use?” In printing, paper stock is defined by multiple metrics such as: weight, coating, finish/texture and brightness. All papers fall into one of two categories with respect to coating: Coated or Uncoated.
The designation coatings is sometimes used interchangeably with finishes but while some finishes require coating, some don’t. For our purposes, finishes refers to a paper’s texture which results from the finish-process used to create it.
Types of Finishes
Smooth
Smooth paper is produced by a manufacturing process called calendering wherein the paper is passed through sets of rollers to press down all protuberances, resulting in flat, texture-less paper. Smooth paper is often then coated with various treatments to create different levels of gloss.
Wove
Wove is a smooth texture produced by use of a woven-wire brush to remove protuberances rather than using pressure. Wove is the default texture in the paper world – if you see paper that has no Finish/Texture designation, it’s wove.
Laid
Laid is a venerable paper texture for uncoated paper produced by use of a Dandy Roller on wet paper that imprints a pattern of raised criss-crossing lines called “chain lines.” The lines make it easier to handwrite horizontally, thus laid textured paper is often used for personal stationary as well as business letterhead and business cards.
Vellum
Vellum is another texture for uncoated paper that appears smooth to the eye but has a very light texture typically described as feeling like the surface of an eggshell. Vellum is a premium paper, often used by crafters, scrapbookers, and watercolor painters. It is very durable, recyclable and acid-free. Vellum-finished paper is also used for high-quality stationary, catalogs and books.
Linen
A linen finish is an uncoated paper texture that mimics the look and feel of linen fabric through an embossing process that imprints a raised cross-hatch pattern. Linen finished paper can be made from cotton, flax, recycled materials and other substances. It is elegant and luxurious looking and is often used for invitations and high-end marketing and packaging materials.
Felt
Felt is an uncoated paper finish that can be applied in the beginning or ending of the manufacturing process. It creates a paper with a subtle feeling of softness and a hand-crafted woven appearance. Book covers, case-made binders and presentation folders, stationary and packaging are good candidates for this paper stock.
Prickle, Column, Pinstripe
There are a variety of textured patterns embossed on uncoated paper. Prickle patterns are made of raised dots; columns and pinstripes are vertical line patterns of varying widths and depths.
Parchment
For centuries parchment paper was made from animal skins and many ancient texts exist today on their original parchment. However, today parchment typically refers to a chemical-bath finishing process that produces a textured marble-patterned paper often used for certificates as well as stationery and other items and crafts. (There is also a kind of parchment paper used for baking which is different from parchment-finished printing paper.)
Paper companies typically produce beautiful sample books of their papers, with swatches exhibiting their finishes.
If you have any questions about paper finishes or paper textures, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
