All About Paper: What are the Differences Between Coated and Uncoated Stock?

↑ Inkable Paper 101: Differences Between Coated and Uncoated Paper

Hello, again!

While choosing paper could be quite easy for you just based on looking and touching our paper samples, we think you should also consider coating, if any, because it really is a big factor that determines the final look, feel, and utility of your printed piece.
AN INKABLE REMINDER: Not all matte paper is uncoated paper, and not all shiny paper has had any coating applied on it. Does coating even make a difference, save for the aesthetic value it is supposed to provide?

All About Paper: Uncoated Versus Coated Paper.

Well, Should I Use Uncoated Paper?

Think of uncoated paper as a sponge. It is more absorbent than coated paper because it has a more porous surface, meaning it will definitely soak up more ink. Because of this, uncoated paper takes much longer to dry, anddevelops less crisp and more soft prints.

INKABLE TIP:  Sometimes, you will come across paper that is called “Bond” or “Writing”. Those are just other ways to say “uncoated”! This type of paper is best suited for purposes that require additional writing done to it after printing. Copy machine paper, printer paper, garden variety envelopes, and letterheads are usually supplied using uncoated paper.

Looking for uncoated paper for your next project? We can offer the Inkable 350gsm Ivory, 300gsm Tan Speckled Cotton, 240gsm Canvas, 285gsm Nickel, among others. Contact us for any further questions about uncoated stock; we’ll be glad to help you out!

The 350gsm lvory is an Inkable UNCOATED Stock.

Is Coated Paper the Best Option for Me?
If colour and fine detail reproduction is super important to you above anything else, then it is a resounding YES!

Coated paper is similar to varnished wood. An uncoated paper’s surface can be treated with a clay compound—Kaolinite and Calcium Carbonate for commercial printing—on one or both sides to fill in the “pores” (remember we talked about uncoated paper being porous?). Doing this makes the paper surface smoother and brighter, improving its opacity, stiffness, and bulk, as well as giving the paper bonzer ink holdout.
Coating, or in Inkable’s case, Laminate (A.K.A. “Celloglaze”) is actually a thin film that sits on top of one or both sides of the paper to help ink stay on top without seeping into the paper fibers. By coating the paper, surface printability is greatly improved, and sharper detail can be shown with superior contrast and colour density.

INKABLE TIP:  Coated paper is also called “Art Paper”. It is really ideal for full-colour reproductions, for art books, presentation folders, brochures and catalogues, textbooks magazines, as well as annual reports and restaurant menus.  Coatings enhance the mechanical properties of paper, such as resistance to moisture, tear, and ink scuffing.  A word of caution: Coating affects the writability of paper—Gloss coatings make it difficult for pens or regular markers to register on the paper’s surface.

Looking for coated paper options for your next project? We can offer three types of coating: Gloss, Matte, and Silk. If you don’t see what you like here, contact us for any specific coatings and we will do our best to get you set up.

Gloss Laminate/Gloss Coated Paper
Inkable coated stock: 250gsm coated gloss laminate

Matte Laminate/Matte Coated Paper

Inkable Coated Stock: 250gsm Coated Matt Laminate

Matte Laminate with Spot UV/Matte Coated Paper with Spot UV art detail

Inkable Coated Stock: 250gsm Coated Matte Laminate with Spot UV

Silk Laminate/Silk Coated Paper

Inkable Coated Stock: 250gsm Coated Silk Laminate
Knowing how each coating works with the paper and ink’s visual effect will help you make more informed decisions so that you can take control of how the final printed piece will look like. Oh, and at Inkable, coated paper does not necessarily mean that you’ll be spending heaps more!

If you are on a tight budget, making adjustments here and there could still give you the effect and standard of quality you are looking for, regardless if you’d like to use coated or uncoated paper.

Let us know what you are looking to achieve with your print materials and we’ll happily provide you with options to balance out style versus economy, for truly custom and professional printed pieces, exactly the way you’d want them to look and feel.

Till the next!
Ink splat,

INKABLE

P.S. Reading online just won’t cut it for you? Yeah, we understand you mucho.

To really make an informed decision, we encourage you to get the Inkable Sample Kit to see the different coated and uncoated stocks yourself.   Don’t worry, it’s awesome and free, and it’ll ship to your doorstep for nothing but the joy of knowing you’ll get to see and touch our sample paper stocks.   We’re super proud of them and happy to share them with you.