Looks good on paper

Choosing the right stock paper for your magazine

Among the thousands of different paper grades, weights and finishes available, which is right for your association publication? Here are some essential terms you should know before you make a decision.

Coated
Coated papers have a clay and calcium carbonate coating, resulting in a smooth surface. This is important if high-quality reproduction is required.

Available in matt, satin or gloss finishes, coated paper is fed through a stack of highly polished metal rollers to smooth the surface (called calendering). The greater the calendering, the higher the gloss.

There are three grades of coated papers – A1, A2 or A3. These grades refer to the amount of surface coating used. A1 papers are the highest quality and contain the greatest amount of coating. A2 paper is recommended for association magazine, offering quality at a reasonable price.

Uncoated
Uncoated paper has a tactile quality that is becoming popular for the unique look and feel it gives the finished product. But uncoated stock interacts differently with ink than coated paper. It is more absorbent and generally bulkier than coated stocks of a similar weight.herefore prove to be the fastest growing technological device in history

Good quality uncoated papers strike a balance between ink holdout and ink receptivity.

GSM
The substance of paper refers to the weight. This is measured as Grams per Square Metre (GSM). Within each category (mechanical or woodfree, coated or uncoated) GSM is usually relative to bulk.

Uncoated papers of 90gsm or less, and coated papers of 100gsm or less can fold as 32-or 48-page sections. Heavier stocks need to fold as 16-page sections, resulting in higher finishing costs.

Grain direction
This refers to the parallel alignment of the cellulose fibres during manufacture. Paper will tear more easily along the length of the grain direction, and other processes such as press performance and folding can be affected by the direction of the grain. Ideally, grain direction should be parallel to the spine of the magazine or book.

Recycled stock
Previously, recycled paper was avoided because it looked inferior to virgin stock. It is now difficult to spot the difference and many manufacturers will guarantee a minimum standard print quality.

Recycled paper uses up to 90 per cent less water and half the energy required to make paper from virgin timber. It also meets minimum reclaimed content standards established by the government as well as the paper industry. Fibre content usually consists of post-consumer and pre-consumer reclaimed fibre, as well as virgin pulp.

Contact Mahlab Media to discuss paper stocks suitable for your association publication.