Materials and papers
Paper does more than you might think. It decides whether your print looks vivid and sharp or calm and elegant, whether you can comfortably write on it, and how the product feels in your hand. There is no single "best" paper - only the right paper for the job.
How to choose a paper
When choosing, think about three things: what the product is for (reading up close, writing, display, handing out), what effect you want (saturated colours and photos, or a natural, calm elegance), and how stiff it should be. Stiffness comes mainly from the weight, measured in grams per square metre (g/m²).
- More grams = stiffer. A flyer can be light (135-170 g), while a business card or postcard likes some body (300-350 g).
- Coated (kreda) = colours and photos. A smooth surface reproduces photography and strong colours beautifully.
- Uncoated (offset) = writing and stamping. Absorbent and natural, pleasant under a pen or a rubber stamp.
- Decorative and eco papers = the material does the work - texture, shade, subtle sheen. Here we usually skip lamination, which would kill the paper's character.
> Not sure what to pick? Tell us briefly what you need the print for and we will suggest a paper that fits. You can also order samples to touch and compare in person.
Coated and offset papers
These are the two most common paper families - and the easiest starting choice. They differ in surface, which makes print behave in completely different ways.
Coated (kreda) papers have a smooth, closed surface. Colours are saturated, photos are sharp and details stay crisp. This is the first choice for flyers, posters, business cards, postcards and hangtags. The higher the weight, the stiffer the sheet.
Uncoated (offset) papers are natural and absorbent. They do not shine, they have a slightly rough, pleasant texture, and - most importantly - you can write and stamp on them easily. That is why we use them for letterheads, notepads, notebooks and instructions.
| Paper | Weight | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | | Coated (kreda) | 135 g/m² | Flyers, folders, posters - light, for larger runs | | Coated (kreda) | 170 g/m² | Premium and folded flyers, posters - stiffer | | Coated (kreda) | 250 g/m² | Business cards, brochure covers, postcards | | Coated (kreda) | 350 g/m² | Stiff postcards, hangtags, strong business cards | | Offset | 80 g/m² | Notepads, letterhead - for writing | | Offset | 90 g/m² | Letterhead, forms, instructions | | Offset | 120 g/m² | Premium letterhead, invoices, notebooks | | Offset | 190 g/m² | Notepad covers, stiffer forms |
> Matte or glossy on coated paper? Matte - elegant, fewer reflections, great for business contexts and large black areas. Glossy - more vivid colours and better photos, but shows fingerprints more easily. A business card with heavy black → matte. A folder full of photography → glossy.
Cardboards and elegant papers
When a print needs to be stiff and sit well in the hand, we reach for cardboards and satin papers. A good choice for covers, sleeves, hangtags, postcards, invitations and higher-end business cards.
| Paper | Weight | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | | Arktika GC1 board | 230 g/m² | Business cards, stiff flyers, hangtags, labels | | Arktika GC1 board | 300 g/m² | Covers, sleeves, postcards, hangtags | | DCP Satin | 300 g/m² | Invitations and cards with a satin finish | | Invercote Creato | 300 g/m² | Premium board - invitations, cards, hangtags |
- Arktika GC1 board - solid, stiff board for jobs where durability and a proper "weight" in the hand matter.
- DCP Satin 300 g - a paper with a satin, subtly smooth finish; elegant but calm.
- Invercote Creato 300 g - a top-shelf board, smooth and stiff; ideal where the product should impress the moment you touch it.
Eco and natural papers
Eco and natural papers have real character - a warm shade, a tangible texture and a natural look without artificial gloss. Here the paper itself creates the effect, which is why we usually do not laminate them. A great choice for brands that want to look natural and conscious.
| Paper | Weight | Character | | --- | --- | --- | | Kraftliner | 300 g/m² | Classic kraft - brown, raw, natural | | Kazan ecru (with grass fibres) | 250 & 300 g/m² | Ecru with visible grass specks, ecological | | Flora Avorio | 240-350 g/m² | Warm ivory, gentle texture | | Flora Giglio | 240-350 g/m² | Natural, light shade with texture | | Flora Tobacco / Tabacco | 240-350 g/m² | Deeper, warm tobacco shade |
> The base colour affects the print. Eco and natural papers are not snow-white - their shade (ecru, ivory, kraft brown) mixes gently with the printed colours. Light and pastel tones may look muted. Designs with strong contrast look best - dark print on a light paper or the other way round. When in doubt, order a sample.
Prestige decorative papers
The Prestige decorative papers are the top shelf - pearlescent sheens, metallic surfaces, felt-marked and ribbed textures. The premium effect comes from the paper itself, so we do not laminate them either - foil would kill the very texture and sheen they are chosen for. Perfect for invitations, business cards and products meant to impress on touch.
- ICEBLINK Cream Canvas - a cream paper with a canvas-like structure, warm and elegant.
- STARDREAM OPAL - pearlescent, softly shimmering sheen.
- STARDREAM Silver / Crystal / Gold - metallic shades with a distinct, refined sheen.
- RIVES Shetland Natural - a natural paper with a gentle, tangible texture.
- DALI - fine, regular ribs; available in several shades.
- MODIGLIANI - a classic felt-marked texture with a soft feel.
- CHAGALL Bianco - a felt-marked white paper with an elegant structure.
> Texture changes how print reads. On textured and metallic papers colours sit differently than on smooth coated stock - often more beautifully, but less literally. That is a feature, not a flaw. If you need a specific result, ask for a sample before a larger order.
Lamination (finishing)
In our offer, finishing means lamination - a thin layer of foil applied to the paper, on one or both sides. Foil changes the look and feel of the print and makes it more durable. There are three types to choose from.
- Glossy foil - boosts colours and adds depth to photos; the print becomes livelier and more striking.
- Matte foil - elegant and subdued, kills reflections; great for calm, business designs.
- Soft Touch velvet foil - soft, almost suede-like to the touch; a luxury, premium impression from the first contact.
> Foil makes writing and stamping hard. It is difficult to write with a pen or apply a rubber stamp on foil - the layer does not absorb ink. If something has to be added by hand (letterhead, loyalty cards to be stamped), it is better to stay with an unlaminated paper.
> Eco and decorative papers usually without foil. We generally do not laminate eco, natural and Prestige decorative papers - their charm lies in the texture and shade, which foil would cover. Lamination makes the most sense on coated papers and cardboards.
One-sided or two-sided? Foil can go on one or both sides. Two-sided gives a consistent effect and better protects the whole product (e.g. a business card); one-sided is enough when you only want to finish the front.
Which foil protects best? All three increase resistance to moisture, creasing and abrasion. Under heavy use, matte and Soft Touch may show scratches a touch more than glossy, but all of them clearly improve durability compared to bare paper.
Does foil change colours? A little. Glossy foil deepens and saturates colours, matte softens and calms them, and Soft Touch is close to matte with an extra, pleasant feel. This is normal and predictable - we match the foil to the effect you want.