Paper - Coated vs. Uncoated

Although it is evident that some paper has a coating and some does not, the real differences between coated and uncoated paper are not so apparent. 

Uncoated paper has a rough, more natural feel and tends to be more porous, causing it to soak up a great deal of ink which will mute the ink colors.  Not only is uncoated paper less expensive than coated paper, but it is ideal for quick, less-precise printing and for pieces that are intended for people to write on or read for extended periods of time (because there is no glare to irritate a reader’s eye).  Uncoated stocks are perfect for newspaper and flyer printing!

Coated paper, which has a smoother finish, is not very porous at all, enabling the ink to sit on the surface and produce sharp, vivid images. However, coated paper does tend to be more expensive and is more difficult to write on or read from. 

Though coated paper can come in a dull or glossy finish, this should not be confused with a varnish coating or plastic lamination.  These are both processes that can be added at the end of a printing job to add extra gloss or durability to a printed piece.  And although laminations can work well with coated or uncoated paper, varnishes are only effective on coated stocks.

Thus, when looking to print something in a very large quantity that is meant to be written on or read from (books, newspapers, forms or flyers), an uncoated stock is a viable choice.  However, when looking to print high-impact pieces (brochures, catalogs or mailers), a coated paper may be the better solution!

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