Fine meals are served on fine china. For a big job interview, you wear your best suit. In life, presentation is almost as important as content so, when you’re looking to get noticed with your printed materials, why would you skimp on paper?
Truth be told, making the best and most effective paper choice is perhaps the single most overlooked aspect of any printing project.
In the printing biz, some of the terms you might hear thrown around are weight, thickness, brightness, opacity and finish - but you needn’t get too wrapped up in the terminology.
In a nutshell, the paper you choose should suit your printing job on two levels: functionality and style. On a technical level, varying types of papers hold ink differently so that must always be a consideration. Brighter papers offer stronger contrast and therefore crisper text and vibrant visuals. More opaque stocks minimize “show-through,” which makes them well-suited for brochures and manuals that are printed on both sides of the page.
But well-chosen paper can also send a strong, subliminal message to your consumer that reinforces the theme of a design beyond the written word. Looking for a clean and corporate look? Try something classic like Strathmore Natural. Prefer a softer and gentler feel? Try 100 percent cotton paper, like the one offered by Crane’s. Maybe you’re seeking a grungy or weathered look? Try a speckled paper like Fox River’s Confetti or Quest stocks.
The old adage may be “It’s better to look good than to feel good” - but if you truly want to get noticed, why not both!
For more information or questions, call 718-820-0688 or visit www.advantages.net.
Fran Biderman-Gross is president of Advantages.
