Printing is a very vast field. One might think that printing is just getting some image onto a piece of paper but, be assured, it is much more than that! There are many types of printing, printing processes, and types of paper that can be used for different printing needs. Choosing the most expensive paper available for a printing job may not necessarily give you the best result. In fact, choosing the right paper type for your printing job will surely give you the best result.
Paper, although it may seem like a very simple thing but it is quite complicated. It has three dimensions which vary for every printing job. Furthermore, the quality of the paper, the strength, ink absorption ability, finish, and many other factors change the type of paper and make them unique for different purposes.
Factors to Classify paper into Different Types
The end result of a printing process largely depends on the type of paper used for the job. It can become overwhelming to decide the most appropriate paper type for a job. Different papers have distinct properties that make them unique from each other. Let’s have a look at some of the factors that classify papers into different types:
Brightness:
The brightness of paper is the amount of light that gets reflected from the paper surface. The brighter the paper, the higher the quality of printing you will be able to get.
Opacity:
Opacity is how much the paper is transparent or opaque. The heavier the paper, the more opaque it will be.
Coating:
Paper can either be coated or uncoated. The layer can either make the paper matte or glossy. Coated paper usually has a coating of some chemicals to enhance the paper’s quality, visual appearance, and durability. Uncoated paper has no such coating and is less durable but has greater ink absorption and use. Uncoated is a popular choice for office use.
Weight:
The weight of paper is the measure of the paper’s thickness. It is measured in grams per square meter. The greater the weight of the paper, the greater will be the thickness of the paper. Different paper thicknesses make the paper fragile or sturdy and suitable for different purposes.
What is Offset Printing?
There are many types of printing which involve different procedures, ink, or paper type. Offset printing is one type of printing that is very common, particularly for commercial or large-scale printing. This printing technique utilizes a very old printing technology in which the ink is first placed onto aluminium plates and then transferred onto a rubber mat and then transferred or “offset” onto the paper.
“Offset printing” is named so because the ink is not directly transferred to the paper but offset through a metal plate or rubber mat. Offset printing is a lengthy process to set up, but once the setup is done, it is best for large-scale printing, very cost-effective, gives you super good quality images, vivid colours, and can easily be used with any paper type and ink.
What are the different paper types that can be used for offset printing?
Offset printing is a popular choice for many different purposes like printing stationery, books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, and many other tasks because it can easily work for almost all types of paper. It is very versatile in use, and that is why it is opted for many tasks. Here are some of the paper types that can be used for offset printing:
- Opaque papers: can be used for offset printing of flyers, business card printing, and printing brochures.
- Text and cover paper stocks: this paper type is used for printing books or marketing materials using offset printing.
- Index paper: index cards c neb produced using offset printing on this type of paper.
- Vellum Bristol: offset printing on this paper type is used for door hanging printing.
- Glass coated paper: this is a shiny paper, and offset printing on this is used for printing brochures and flyers.
- Recycled paper: being gentle with the environment is necessary. Using recycled paper is best for keeping the environment safe. Offset printing on this type of paper can print any documents, reports, forms, etc.
- Watermarked paper: is a unique type of paper with a special purpose, used to print important documents through offset printing.
- Silk coated paper: it is smooth and glossy but less shiny, making it suitable for offset printing of books, magazines, and catalogues.
- Matt coated paper: offset printing on matte paper can print leaflets, reports, or flyers. The matte paper does not have glare or shine found in glossy paper.
- Pressure-sensitive paper: offset printing on pressure-sensitive paper can be great for printing labels.
- Safety paper: cheques and coupons can be offset printed on safety paper.
- Parchment: parchment can be used for printing certificates using offset printing.
- Bond paper: commercial letterhead printing can easily be done using offset printing on bond paper.
- Uncoated paper: offset printing can print business cards, manuals, or books on uncoated paper.
What are the Different types of paper?
There are many different types of paper available, depending on varying features. Some of the most commonly used paper types include:
Bright white paper:
This is the most commonly used type of paper for inkjet printers. It helps produce crisp, vivid, and clear images and is a popular choice for printing documents, emails, web printing, and almost all day-to-day business.
Matte paper:
It is also a common type of paper used for daily tasks, and it is best for quick printing. There is a white coating on the paper that helps to dry the in faster.
Glossy paper:
If you are looking for a paper that will give you high definition, vivid colours, and bright results, glossy paper is the best choice. It is best for printing images, flyers, leaflets, or photos. It is the best choice for any purpose that requires clarity and high-quality results.
Bond paper:
It is a thicker and durable paper that does not get easily tattered upon handling. This type of paper is best for printing letterheads, reports, envelopes, business forms, and business cards.
Resume paper:
It is an off-whitish paper that is a little thicker than the usual paper and is used specifically for printing resumes or other important documents. The unique appearance of the paper indicates that the printed data is of high importance.
Conclusion
Printing is of various types, and they require the use of different kinds of ink and paper for the job to be done. The paper used for printing also comes in various types with varying characteristics, making them suitable for various tasks. No two printing jobs are similar, and each printing task requires the use of appropriate paper. Offset printing is very versatile in the context that it works great with a wide variety of paper types and is, therefore, a good option to choose for large-scale printing.
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