When it comes to choosing the type of paper you should use for your flyers, at Clanpress we understand this can be a confusing matter, with the different weights of paper and various finishing options available.
Once you have your flyer fully designed, the type of paper you choose to print on, can be as influential as the content on it. Done correctly it will quickly give customers a high-quality impression, but get it wrong and all the efforts you put into your design and copy can be wasted.
Our guide will help you understand which type of paper weight and finishing style you should for to complete your perfect Flyer.
Paper Weights
Paper weights are measured in GSM, (grams per square meter), the higher the weight the thicker it will be. Each weight has the perfect use depending on the product you are wanting to print.
| Weight of Paper | Description | Uses |
| 90 – 120gsm | This is your standard paper range for stationery. It is very rarely used for print of Marketing Material, but often used for News Letters. | Letter Heads, Note pads, Compliment Slips, Paper for Printing and News Letters |
| 130 – 170gsm | This weight is heavier, and thus more durable. It is often the go to Paper weight for a lot of Marketing material. | Folded Leaflets, Flyers, thicker Compliment Slip (160 max) and Folded Menus |
| 170 – 200gsm |
This weight is in-between Paper and Card. It is more durable and thinker, but would not be recommended for leaflets with multiple folds. |
Higher end quality Flyers, Posters and Brochures. |
| 200 – 350 gsm | At this weight we would class it as card. It is notably more heavy and rigid. | Brochure front and back covers, Business Cards and Postcards at the heavier end |
| 350 – 400 gsm | A rigid card that lasts in a wallet or pocket without wear and a tear | Business Cards and Luxury wedding invitations |
For flyers we recommend the weight of 150 gsm, this will result in the most cost effective print costs, and still be at the heavier end for a high-quality feel.
Finishing
There are 3 main types of finishing for paper, Uncoated, Gloss and Silk.
Uncoated
Standard uncoated paper isn’t smooth to the touch, this means the paper absorbs ink. Premium uncoated are much smoother, but not as cost effective. Uncoated paper is not coated in the way gloss and silk paper are.
We would not recommend using uncoated paper for flyers; however, it still has its uses in letterheads, envelopes and note-pads.
Gloss
Gloss gives your print material a very shiny finish and can be very popular for a range of printed products. Gloss can be used for printing flyers to give it a professional ‘Glossy’ finishing.
The most common areas to find Gloss finish paper is in magazines and brochures. This is typically due to the fact it gives images and other printed colours a more vivid and vibrant look.
Silk
Silk is one of the most common paper finish for flyers. It is a mid-way point between full gloss and uncoated. Silk produces high definition print work thanks to the contrast between the ink gloss and the matt of the text and unprinted areas. This delivers you a vibrancy of your images and colours on the page, which results in being easier to read compared to uncoated due to the finish not being shiny.
When our customers ask us what is best option for printing their Flyers we typically tell them 150 gsm is the best paper weight and to go for either Silk or Gloss depending on their budget and the design.
When our customers ask us what the best option is for printing their flyers, we typically tell them 150 gsm is the best paper weight and to go for either Silk or Gloss depending on their budget and the design.
Standards
FSC® Mix Credit ISO 14001
ECF (Elemental Chlorine)
Long-life acid-free
At Clanpress we can print all your printed products no matter the specification or how complicated the product is. For all enquires and to get a Free no obligation quote call us on 01553 772 737 or email us on info@clanpress.co.uk