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Consider These Tips for Choosing the Best Paper and Ink Combination
Choosing the right paper and ink combination for your job can be daunting at times. Will blue ink be legible on orange paper? Will this paper make my 4-color job be as vibrant as I want it to be? Here are some tips to help you choose the best combination.
The paper and the ink should not compete for attention. Try to avoid using dark inks on dark paper and light inks on light paper. Using the same tonal value for each makes it hard for the eye to differentiate between the ink and the paper. You want your job to be legible and pleasing to the eye. (See “Design” article in this newsletter for further reference.)
Choose at least a 60-pound paper for four-color jobs. A 60-pound paper is generally the lightest weight you can use before the ink will start to degrade the paper and show through to the other side.
Select a paper that matches the look you want for your job. If your job has bright colors that you want to “pop,” choose a paper with a hard finish, like a coated stock. The hard finish prevents the ink from being absorbed by the paper, allowing the ink to dry on the surface. This makes for more vivid color.
If you want your job to have a more muted look, choose an uncoated stock with a porous surface. The ink will be absorbed into the paper, making the colors have a subtle, matte appearance.
Textured paper can make for an interesting look; however, you want to be cautious of a few factors. If your job has photographs or large blocks of color, the texture of the paper will show through the image. Also, if your job folds, you want to be aware that the paper can “crack” the ink where it is folded. This will cause distortion in the image if it bleeds over the fold.The right paper and ink combination can make or break your project. It is always helpful to choose a paper at the beginning of your design process. When choosing the ink, look at different stocks to decide which one will achieve the look you would like. Keep in mind that the texture, weight, and finish of the stock will all have an impact on the ink that will work best for your project. Let us help you with your choice.
