High quality printing can save you time and money. Choosing the right paper is a key to achieving the best outcome. Matte and glossy paper both have pros and cons, and choosing one finish over the other can completely transform a design. If you are unsure about whether glossy or matte stock is best for your next project, here are a few points to remember:
- For postcards a glossy finish is typically the best choice for because most postcard design have a large photograph or image on one side. A glossy finish will make that image crisp and clear to viewers.
- If your postcard or brochure has a lot of text, then a matte finish may actually make the text easier to read. Your postcards can have a gloss finish on the primary side to highlight images and a matte finish on the back for increased legibility of the type and a surface that’s easy to write on.
- Reasons for using matte paper on a postcard vary. Perhaps you want to highlight that the card is printed on recycled stock. Or maybe your postcard design includes foil stamping, embossing or a color combination that will stand out better on matte stock than on gloss.
- For business cards with a traditional look, use ivory or white matte paper stock with a black or navy serif font. If you plan to order a large quantity of business cards at one time and don’t know which finish to choose, try two separate print runs, one with glossy and one matte paper to see which treatment works better for you. Or ask your printer to show you samples of similar designs on the different papers.
Tags: gloss, matte, Paper, paper stock, print marketing, printing
