Coated Paper
Everything you need to know about coated paper to help you make the best choices for your print project
What Is Coated Paper?
Coated paper is paper that has been treated with mineral clay or polymers to give a glossy, or matte finish. While many coated papers are shiny, they don’t have to be. There are different types of coatings, each producing a specific surface effect, and the paper can be coated on one or both sides.
Compared to uncoated paper, coated paper is usually brighter, smoother, and absorbs less ink. This helps printed colors appear sharper and more vibrant, with better contrast, even after drying.
Coated Paper Type: Thickness and Weight
Coated paper can come in both gloss and matte finish, and is also available in different weights. Heavier paper is usually thicker. With us, you can choose from a wide range of coated paper weights, including:
Glossy Coated Paper Type: Thickness and Weight
| GSM | LB | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 80 gsm | 54 lb Text | 0.065 mm |
| 105 gsm | 71 lb Text | 0.086 mm |
| 128 gsm | 86 lb Text | 0.105 mm |
| 157 gsm | 106 lb Text | 0.136 mm |
| 200 gsm | 135 lb Text | 0.178 mm |
| 250 gsm | 92 lb Cover | 0.225 mm |
| 300 gsm | 111 lb Cover | 0.270 mm |
| 350 gsm | 129 lb Cover | 0.410 mm |
Matte Coated Paper Type: Thickness and Weight
| GSM | LB | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 80 gsm | 54 lb Text | 0.072 mm |
| 105 gsm | 71 lb Text | 0.090 mm |
| 128 gsm | 86 lb Text | 0.110 mm |
| 157 gsm | 106 lb Text | 0.140 mm |
| 200 gsm | 135 lb Text | 0.200 mm |
| 250 gsm | 92 lb Cover | 0.250 mm |
| 300 gsm | 111 lb Cover | 0.285 mm |
The Pros and Cons of Coated Paper
The qualities of coated paper may be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the type of project you have in hand and the results you’d like to see. Coated paper is more reflective and often, even if not properly shiny, has a sheen to the surface. If you need crisp, detailed, high-fidelity photographic reproduction, then this is an advantage as the print will be clean and sharp and the ink won’t “bleed” into the surrounding paper, which can leave a fuzzy effect. While both coated and uncoated paper can last a long time, coated paper is generally not as resilient as uncoated paper.
Potential downsides are that coated paper is not good for writing on and so it’s not suitable for diaries, journals, workbooks, coloring books, and so on. While there isn’t much price difference between coated and uncoated papers, uncoated paper may cost more for certain types and generally speaking, coated paper is often the more economical option.
In short, coated paper is higher quality, more economical, and gives better print results for images, photographs and high-resolution graphics. For a portfolio of artwork, a coffee-table book, or a high-end product catalog, it would be an excellent choice.
What Is Coated Paper Usually Used for?
Coated paper is typically used for print projects in which the visual element and art or photographic reproduction are central. So, for example, art books, coffee-table books, children’s picture books, fashion catalogs, look-books, high-end brochures, glossy magazines, and calendars will all benefit from coated paper. However, it’s not so good for large areas of text. So, while the cover will almost certainly be printed on coated paper, the interior pages of a novel would be better printed — primarily for reasons of design — on uncoated paper.
