How to choose the best type of paper for your print job

Not all paper is treated — or produced — equally. Before you choose the finish and weight for your project, find the best paper for the task. The most common types are:

• Cardstock: Cardstock printer paper is thicker than ordinary paper. Its thickness and durability mean it’s often used to create paper menus, postcards and invitations. Cardstock can be coated or uncoated, depending on the project

• Cardboard: Cardboard is made from unbleached wood pulp and consists of two smooth outer layers and one corrugated inner layer.  It’s a heavy-duty choice for shipping materials and tasks where durability outweighs appearances.

• Foam board: Foam board, or foam core, has a polystyrene core layered between two pieces of paper. Foam board is a popular choice for business professionals because it’s an inexpensive, lightweight and sturdy printer paper—perfect for presentations.

A coated or uncoated finish contributes to the paper’s feel, texture and durability. Coated paper has a light layer of clay on the surface that sharpens images and details, with finishes ranging from matte to high gloss. It’s best for projects that require the colors and pictures to be crisp, or if you need a long-lasting and moisture-resistant paper that will keep the ink from bleeding.

Coated paper is most often used for:

• Product catalogs or magazines

• Brochures

• Postcards

Alternatively, uncoated paper doesn’t have a layer covering the natural fibers, making it more absorbent than coated sheets. It’s best for print jobs without images or if you need to write on the final product. Uncoated paper is most often used for:

• Stationery and envelopes

• Flyers

• Newsletters

• Do you need to fold the paper?

• Is your project several pages?

• Is it for internal communications or customer materials?

• Are you using a lot of saturated colors and graphics?

Heavier reams are best when you need your printing project to be durable and less susceptible to rips and wrinkles. Heavy sheets hold up better to embossing or foil stamping, and sturdy printer paper feels more impressive than your run-of-the-mill sheet. Heavy reams are the best quality paper for printing for these projects:

• Business cards

• Flyers

• Brochures

• Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)

• Posters

U.S. postal regulations have thickness minimum requirements for some types of mail. You can find details about these regulations in the U.S. Postal Service’s Physical Standards.

Thin, lightweight paper may not be as flashy, but it is sufficient for budget projects. Lighter reams of paper cost much less, especially when you buy in bulk. Plus, lightweight paper means lower shipping costs, so use thinner sheets for mail that doesn’t need to adhere to weight requirements. Ordinary printing assignments, like projects with high page counts, can also be printed on thinner paper.

• Legal documents

• Presentations

• Resumes

Now that you understand your paper choices, it’s time to streamline your project. FedEx Office online printing services can help you get the job done. Use a custom design or browse our library of templates to create professional business cards and marketing materials that will make a great impression with your customers.

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