When you spend time working on your art, or your passion, as I prefer to call it, you want the end result to be perfect. Whether you are a typography nut like I am or maybe you are into posters (oh wait, that’s me, too), there is a certain amount of bliss involved in seeing your project finished. It can be confusing, though, to know which paper will be the exact right choice for what you are trying to achieve. I find myself doing a little research every time I am ready for either typography printing or poster printing, just to be sure I am heading in the right direction. Maybe when I’m done here, we will all have a better understanding of paper types and how to use them.

Poster/Typography Printing

 
What paper you will choose when you are preparing for poster printing will depend on what you are printing. Are you printing a large number of posters, perhaps for sale? If so, I’m sure you will need to pay some attention to cost. Typically, when someone is printing in large quantities, they will choose a cheaper paper. Do you want a smooth, glossy finish or a matte finish for your typography printing? Maybe you are looking for a paper that will give you a greater depth or richer color tone. Let’s look at some of the differences and figure out what works best in each situation.

Linen Paper

 
Linen paper offers a beautiful finish for all poster printing work. The clarity of your design is excellent. There is a faint linen texture to this paper, but it doesn’t detract from the quality of the print at all. I love the linen finish because to my eye, there is a richness that can’t be beat.

Smooth Paper

 
Smooth paper is coated and, of course, has a very smooth finish. The lack of texture allows gorgeous color reproductions. This paper is often used for poster printing where vibrant colors are part of the work. Smooth paper is a little heavier weight than linen, so that is something to consider.

Pearl Paper

 
Pearl paper has a beautiful luminescent quality to it that is not seen in other types of paper. The combination of organic pigments and natural minerals lend the pearly look to this paper. Pearl paper may be a little less desirable for you finer typography printing projects because it doesn’t transfer small print or finer details as well as some other paper choices.

Classic Felt

 
A luxurious feel and a super-smooth finish makes this an excellent paper type for most print jobs. The finished product will be high-quality, and you’ll be proud to display your work on this paper type. Felt paper is acid-free, which means the paper will not yellow with age.

Now that we have looked at paper types, we have to take into consideration coatings on the paper that you choose. Typography and poster prints can, and probably should, have a UV coating applied to them after they are printed. UV coating provides an eye-catching, high-gloss finish that makes details really stand out. This coating dries very quickly when it is cured under UV lights. The speed of drying speeds up production time, and this can add to the appeal of the finish. Smooth papers also have the option of a high-gloss coating, which results in a smooth, mirror-like shine.
 
Whatever paper or finish you choose, I hope this information makes it a little easier for you to make your choice.
 

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