Most clients choose paper by instinct or by what they know from previous jobs. Someone ordered a catalogue on gloss coated once and has been ordering gloss ever since. Someone else heard that "matte is more premium" and chose matte for materials where gloss would have worked better.
Paper is one of those decisions that directly affects how a print job looks and performs. It is worth understanding how these substrates really differ - not just in theory, but in touch, in light and against a specific project.
Uncoated offset paper - natural, writable, no coating
Uncoated offset paper is exactly that - uncoated. There is no mineral coating on the surface. It is porous, matte to the touch and slightly textured. Printing ink absorbs into the fibres rather than sitting on the surface. The result is that colours on uncoated paper look warmer, but less intense than on coated stock.
The biggest practical advantage of uncoated paper is that you can write on it. Ballpoint pen, pencil, marker, rubber stamp - everything grips normally. It is the only common printing substrate you can write on without problems. Coated paper - gloss or matte - does not allow this. Ink sits on the surface of coated stock, takes a long time to dry or does not dry at all, which with a ballpoint pen means smearing.
A note on terminology: uncoated offset paper is a specific substrate - not to be confused with the offset printing process. This paper can be printed on by both offset and digital presses.
Available in weights of 80–120 g/m². White, but not as bright white as coated paper - the shade can be slightly cream. At the same weight, uncoated paper is usually less stiff than coated stock because there is no additional mineral layer to stiffen the sheet.
Uncoated makes sense for: letterheads, notepads, forms, certificates, desk pads, text-heavy books, technical brochures where readability matters more than visual impact, and materials the client will fill in by hand.
Uncoated does not make sense for: product catalogues with photography, advertising materials where colours need to "punch", posters, covers.
Gloss coated - saturated colours, high contrast
Gloss coated paper has a mineral coating applied to the fibre surface, then calendered multiple times to produce a shine. The result is a smooth, lustrous surface where ink does not absorb - it sits on top.
On gloss coated paper, colours are the most saturated and contrasty of all standard substrates. Photographs look sharp, blacks are deep, oranges and reds have full intensity. If the design is graphically strong and that is where its power lies - gloss is the right choice.
There is one clear downside: gloss coated paper reflects light. Reading under a lamp or near a window produces reflections that make text harder to read. For a promotional leaflet with product prices this is no problem. For a B2B catalogue where the client reads technical descriptions - it can be.
Gloss coated also picks up fingerprints more than matte. The smooth, hard surface collects them visibly. For materials that are handled repeatedly - trade catalogues, price lists, exhibition materials - this is worth considering.
Gloss makes sense for: promotional leaflets, flyers, product catalogues with lots of photography (furniture, clothing, food, electronics), posters, materials where visual impact is the priority.
Matte coated - elegance, readability, premium feel
Matte coated paper has the same mineral coating as gloss, but the calendering stops at a stage that eliminates the shine. The surface is silky matte, does not reflect light, and colours are slightly less intense than on gloss - but the printed piece feels more elegant and refined.
The key practical difference: matte coated can be read without reflections. A technical catalogue, annual report, corporate brochure - these are materials the client actually reads rather than just flipping through. Matte gives reading comfort; gloss takes it away.
Matte is also more resistant to fingerprints than gloss - the surface does not collect them as visibly, and scratches are less obvious. Important for materials that pass from hand to hand over a long period.
One thing that surprises clients: matte coated is more expensive than gloss at the same or even higher weight. 115 gsm matte costs more than 130 gsm gloss.
This comes down to purchase volumes in the industry - gloss is produced in far greater quantities, which drives the price down. Matte is a niche product and therefore more expensive. Many clients find this counterintuitive because matte seems "simpler" to them.
Matte makes sense for: B2B company catalogues, annual reports, corporate brochures, materials with a heavy mix of text and images, covers finished with matte lamination and spot UV, premium client presentations.
GC1 and GC2 board - covers, packaging, rigidity
Board is a separate category, not paper. Weights start at 210 g/m², it has a multi-layer construction and significantly higher stiffness. At the same weight, board is stiffer than coated paper because its structure combines several cellulose layers with an outer coating.
GC1 (white reverse) - multi-layer board with a white coating on both sides, double-coated on the front. Available in weights of 210, 250, 300 and 350 g/m². Excellent printability on both sides, responds well to finishing processes - lamination, spot UV, embossing. The standard choice for catalogue covers, presentation folders, postcards, invitations, premium business cards and promotional boxes. At 350 g/m² it has a rigidity close to a hardback book cover.
GC2 (cream reverse) - similar structure, but the back layer is cream rather than white. Higher stiffness and caliper at the same weight than GC1. Used where product protection is important - food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical packaging. The cream reverse is visible on the edges, which is why GC1 dominates for promotional print.
GC1 board is the default choice for covers of perfect-bound and wire-bound catalogues. Text pages on 130 gsm gloss, cover on 300 gsm GC1 with matte lamination - this is the combination that makes a client feel they are holding something substantial.
Board makes sense for: catalogue and brochure covers, presentation folders, business cards, invitations, postcards, boxes and packaging, displays, wobblers. Anywhere that paper is too soft and too thin to give the right feel in the hand.
Stiffness at the same weight
This question comes up often. At the same grams per square metre, stiffness depends on whether the paper is coated and how it is constructed. From least to most stiff: uncoated - gloss coated - matte coated - board. The mineral coating on coated paper stiffens the sheet. Board is multi-layer, which gives it stiffness out of proportion to its weight.
The practical effect: a catalogue on 170 gsm matte will feel noticeably stiffer and more substantial in the hand than the same catalogue on 170 gsm uncoated. And it will be stiffer than a catalogue on 130 gsm gloss - even though it is 40 gsm heavier.
Substrate comparison
| Property | Uncoated | Gloss coated | Matte coated | GC1 board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour saturation | Low - warm, subdued | Highest | High, refined | High (like gloss) |
| Reflects light | No | Yes - glare when reading | No | No |
| Writable surface | Yes - pen, pencil, stamp | No | Limited | No |
| Stiffness | Lowest | Medium | Medium–high | Very high |
| Fingerprint resistance | Resistant | Picks up easily | Resistant | Resistant |
| Price | Cheapest | Mid-range | More than gloss | Most expensive |
| Typical use | Letterheads, notepads, certificates, books | Leaflets, flyers, catalogues with photography | B2B catalogues, reports, corporate brochures | Covers, folders, business cards, packaging |
Finishing changes the paper
Choosing the substrate is only half the decision. Finishing processes can significantly alter the properties of the paper. Gloss coated with matte lamination retains the saturated colours of gloss but gives the touch and look of matte - and at the same time becomes more scratch-resistant. This is one of the most common combinations for premium covers.
Spot UV on a matte base is the other classic pairing: a matte background with selected elements - logo, photograph, title - in an intense gloss. The contrast of matte and gloss in a single piece creates an effect that cannot be achieved by substrate choice alone.
If the project is non-standard - it is worth discussing finishing at the quoting stage, not after production.
Not sure which paper to choose?
Describe your job - we will tell you what works best for your project and budget.
Request a quote →