Best Papers to Print: Silk, Gloss, Uncoated, & Recycled 

When it comes to printing, the paper you pick isn't just about making something look good—it's about creating the right feel, too. Imagine flipping through a children’s storybook or just holding a brochure; the texture and weight of the paper instantly shape how you perceive the design. 

In this guide, we will break down the different types of printing paper—like silk, gloss, uncoated, and recycled to help you make the perfect choice for your project. 

Curious to learn more? Let’s begin!

What factors influence your paper choice?

Want to scale up your work from “nice to “wow”? Choosing the right paper can help you with that. We’ve broken it all down for you—covering everything from the paper’s purpose and durability to important considerations like purpose, ink usage, environmental impact, cost, and printer compatibility. This guide will help you make an informed decision.

• Purpose: What purpose will the paper you choose serve? Is it for your business stationery, flyers, or leaflets, maybe? They all require different types of paper. 
• Durability: Do you want the paper to last long, or would a few days suffice? Keep durability in mind while making a choice.    
• Feel & Ink Usage: The texture of the paper and the amount of ink your design requires are important factors.
• Environmental Impact: Using recycled or uncoated paper can reduce your environmental footprint.
• Cost & Printer Compatibility: Make sure the paper fits your budget and that your printer can handle it well.

These considerations will guide you in choosing the best paper for your needs.

Our Choice of House Papers

Our ‘house’ papers are a handpicked selection of finishes and weights that we keep on hand, ready to roll as soon as your project goes live. We've secured great rates from the paper mill on these sheets, and we're passing those savings directly to you, helping you reduce the cost of printing a book.

Gloss Paper

Gloss paper is a popular choice for bright prints showing rich colours. Its shiny finish makes your design stand out. The glossy surface allows more ink to be absorbed, resulting in clear and sharp images. People often choose this type of paper for leaflets and flyers. 

Gloss paper has an extra shiny coating, which helps in producing bright photos or illustrations. However, be careful, as too much glare can make text hard to read, especially in bright light. 

Why choose gloss paper?

Gloss paper has a smooth feel and is thicker than other types of paper. Here are some key benefits of gloss paper:

• Better Colour display: It improves colour contrast and sharpness. This makes it great for vibrant photos or pictures.
• Strong and lasting: The coating makes it sturdy. It helps to prevent easy damage.
• Many uses: Gloss paper is very versatile. You can use it for menus, posters, photo printing, as well as glossy brochures and flyers.

Silk Paper

Silk paper offers the best qualities of gloss and matte finishes. It’s available in various weights, with 130gsm being ideal for inside pages and 300gsm for covers. It has a smooth feel and a slight shine, which is less intense than glossy paper. Silk paper is made by binding silk fibres together. This gives it a rich feel and enhances the design's elegance. 

With silk paper, you get great colour reproduction without any strong glare. This makes silk-coated paper a great choice for anyone who wants a beautiful yet easy-to-look-at-finished print. 

Why choose silk paper?

Silk paper combines the smooth feel of glossy paper but does not have a shiny look. It is soft and valuable in printing. Here are some key features:

• Balanced shine: It has a gentle shine that is not too shiny but still bright enough.
• Luxurious feel: The surface of silk paper feels smooth and soft, making printed text look better.
• Versatile usage: It’s perfect for magazine pages, brochures, beautiful portfolios, and even fancy promotional items.
• Excellent readability: Since silk reflects less light than gloss paper, it’s easy to read long texts on it.

Uncoated Paper

The uncoated paper offers a bright white finish with no shine, making it great for accurate colour reproduction. In contrast, the Evolution Uncoated is an off-white with a slight grain and is made from 100% Recycled material.  If you have dark, black and white images or photography lacking contrast, then uncoated paper is going to reduce the punch of your images when compared with how they appear on screen.

Uncoated papers are also good for those who care about the environment. They are easy to recycle, helping make your print jobs more eco-friendly and keeping the paper cycle smooth.

Why choose uncoated paper?

Uncoated paper is known for its natural, simple feel. Here are its key features and uses:

• Natural texture: It has a non-reflective, natural surface that absorbs ink well, making it perfect for long text.
• Versatile compatibility: Works efficiently with various printers, making it a common choice for office printing.
• Clear, readable prints: The paper’s ink absorption results in crisp, easy-to-read prints.
• Eco-friendly: Easy to recycle, making it a great choice for environmentally conscious design work.

Recycled Paper

Recycled paper is an eco-friendly choice, made from 60 to 100 per cent recycled pulp. Essentially, old paper is blended with new pulp to create fresh sheets. However, as paper gets recycled, its fibres can weaken, sometimes requiring new fibres from managed forests to keep it strong. 

While recycled paper is a sustainable option, it's good to be aware that the quality and colour might vary due to the nature of the recycled fibres. But choosing it is a great way to reduce your environmental impact!

Also read: Sustainable newspaper printing for a better world.

Why choose recycled paper?

Recycled paper has a unique set of features. This makes it a great choice for different design projects.

• Good for the environment: It is made from recycled materials, so it’s a green choice.
• Special texture: The texture is more natural and uneven, giving it a rustic feel.
• Sustainability message: It shows that your brand or design cares about being eco-friendly.

Positive carbon impact: Recycled paper usually has a smaller carbon footprint because it saves energy used in making new materials.

Paper weight: A range of thickness guide 

The weight of paper is very important for your printed designs. It's measured in grams per square meter (gsm). 

A higher gsm means the paper is thicker and heavier, which usually means it is of premium quality. On the other hand, a lower gsm means the paper is thinner and lighter. 

ExWhyZed offers a variety of paper options: uncoated, silk, gloss, and Evolution Uncoated. They come in a range of thicknesses, from the delicate 100gsm to the substantial 350gsm, which is perfect for thicker cards. There’s also a super heavyweight 400gsm in the uncoated range, though it’s too thick for bookbinding—they use it for eye-catching creative business cards instead.

How does paper weight affect print quality?

The weight of paper plays a big role in print quality. Heavier papers feel more durable and classy, making them great for high-end products that want to stand out. They also handle a lot of ink without bleeding through, giving clear images. In contrast, lighter papers work well for big print jobs with mostly text and less ink.

Choosing the right paper Weight

Choosing the right paper weight means understanding what each weight range provides. Let’s look at different paper weight option and their usual applications below. 

You should talk to print experts. They can help you choose the right paper weight. This way, your choice will match your design and printing needs.

Contact ExWhyZed to order a free paper sample pack

Still unsure? No problem! Reach out to ExWhyZed, and we’ll send you out a paper sample pack right away—next-day delivery so you don’t have to hunt down a local printer or visit another studio in London. Each sample is digitally printed with an Ex Why Zed alphabet on one side, perfect for graphic designers to see how colours pop on different textures and weights.

And here's a bonus: on the other side, you’ll find 15 free New York-based typographic and landscape photography postcards. Stick them on your wall for a cool montage! We want you to experience the look and feel of our papers before you commit, so there are no surprises when your printing arrives.

Conclusion

Choosing the right paper can have a huge impact on your printing projects. Whether you’re opting for luxurious silk paper or eco-friendly recycled options, each type has its own set of benefits. The right paper not only enhances the beauty of your design but also makes it truly stand out. We hope this blog helps you make informed choices and simplifies the process of creating stunning printed designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some alternatives to traditional paper for printing designs?

There are several other choices, like textured or made-from-scratch papers. You can also find coloured sheets. Some options include using materials like beer to make paper. The choice you make should depend on how you plan to use it, what it looks like, and how it affects the environment.

How can I make sure my design looks as intended on the selected paper?

When designing, it's important to think about things like colour contrast, text length, and the quality of images. Different types of paper can affect how these design elements look. You can use sampler packs, talk to print experts, or create a prototype of your design. These approaches can help you get the results you want.

What is the best paper choice for printing large-format designs?

The best paper for large-format designs can depend on the details of the design. However, most people prefer heavier paper, like 350gsm or 380gsm. This is because they are more stable and strong. They are also better at supporting a lot of colour or ink.