Choosing Paper: 5 Questions Designers Should Ask

When you are planning printed materials for a client there are thousands of options to consider. From style, to fonts, to images, to colors, it can all get a bit overwhelming. Paper choice is a key consideration not to be forgotten. We feel paper is a great place to start your next project. Here are 5 questions to help get you started finding the best  paper for a job.

1. What kind of printing do you intend to do?

Digital? Offset? Letterpress? Hands down, the earlier you decide this the easier things will be throughout the whole production process. Of course you will want to start talking to your printer in order to find papers that match what your needs.

2. What will the final piece you are creating be used for?

Is this a used once and thrown away flyer, or will it linger and be  representative of a client? Where will it be stored? Who will use it? Considering where, why, and how long a printed material will be used is a key when choosing a paper.

3. What is the perception you are looking to create?

This question comes in to play with several aspects of paper choice. Are you looking to project a specific level of quality and craftsmanship? Do you want the piece to have texture in your audience’s hands? Are environmental issues important to your client? Do you want to use a recycled paper, one created in compliance with sustainable forestry practices?

4. Do you need matching envelopes?

If you are sending a mailing, be sure you consider if a matching envelope is readily available or not. Are the matching envelopes easy to come by or will you be waiting for them to arrive? It may be possible to have a custom envelope produced, but is that included in your budget? If you are planning a mailing don’t forget to consider  the basis weight of your paper. This can play a big role in postage costs.

5. What’s the paper budget?

I suppose this should be obvious, and go without saying, but a little reminder never hurts. Keep in mind that, generally speaking paper can account for over 30% of the costs of printing. The wrong paper choice could eat into your budget quickly and force you to make sacrifices in other aspects of the job. Being certain of how much you can spend on paper will help make a whole print project run smoothly from start to finish.

cutpasteandprint Printing, graphic design, binding, and promotional product specialists in Huntingdon Valley, PA. We proudly serve the Bucks and Montgomery County areas with superior quality, great customer service, and a commitment to getting you and your the best possible printed materials. Our services include: Digital Printing, Offset Printing, Graphic Design, Promotional Items, Bindery, and Copying.