Decisions. We make them every day. If you are in the process of printing brochures, your paper stock choices will have to be carefully considered before you make your final decision.
You have many different paper stock choices when you are printing brochures. Knowing what these are can help you make better decisions and may even give you better quality results. Many different variables are involved and each aspect of the paper stock that you finally choose is important. Being informed will help you meet your goals for less.
Click here to read our article 6 Important Considerations Before You Order Brochure Printing
Each Printer Offers Different Paper Stock Choices
Each printer will have specific paper stock choices that they keep in stock, and this can be different for each printing company. If there is a specific product that you want and the printer does not have it in stock they may special order it for you. In some cases, this can be more costly due to shipping charges and handling fees.
Printing Brochures that are Eco-Friendly
One factor that you should consider before printing brochures is how eco-friendly you want the materials to be. You can pick from stock options that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable than other choices. You will need to decide what you are willing to spend on these items.
To see Las Vegas Color Graphics environmental mission statement click here.
Glossy Paper Stocks
Glossy paper stock choices can add some pop and pizazz to your brochure and make the colorful images really stand out. These are not always the best pick though, and they may not always work as intended. For brochures that are frequently handled a matte paper may be a better option because it will not show smudges or dirt as much.
Matte Options
Matte is another category when you are looking at paper stock choices, and these are not as shiny and glossy but are flatter in appearance. While these do not provide the same pop, they are a better choice in some cases because a glossy coating would create problems. There are different thicknesses and strengths in this category from which to choose.
Matte paper is not glossy and therefore finger marks or glare from the sun are not a problem.
Source: Peter Sawyer on TutsPlus.com
Quality over Quantity
One important factor to remember when you are printing brochures is that it is more important to have quality over quantity. 300 perfect brochures are better than 3,000 low quality ones. The quality will reflect on your business and products. If your budget is small, it is better to downsize the numbers than to lower the quality standards of your order.
Thicker is Usually Better When it comes to Brochure Paper
Brochure paper stock choices come in thin, thick, and medium options. Thicker is generally better if you can afford it, because a thicker paper stock will be more durable and stand up to being handled better. You want your materials to last as long as possible and a thicker pick can help you do this.
When you are choosing the perfect thickness for your brochures, remember to think about ease of folding. If the stock is too thick then the brochure may not lie flat or fold as intended. If you are not sure, you can always ask the printer that you are using for advice, most professionals will be willing to help you find the best choices for your specific project.
Novice designers assume that a tri-fold brochure folds into three equal parts, but this is not the case. A little extra room is required to account for the thickness of the paper in the fold.
Source: StockLayouts.com
Recipient Value Versus Cost
One often overlooked factor with brochure paper stock choices and other marketing materials is the estimated value of the recipient. You may be willing to spend more on a client who could bring your company a million dollars than you would be willing to spend on a client worth $100. Think about the recipient and the value that they represent when you are setting a budget.
Having all of the information available about your possible options is the first step to making the right decision. Discuss your brochure needs and goals with the printer that you have chosen and get answers to all of the questions that you have before you make any final decisions.
