Choosing the right paper stock is one of the most important decisions in any printing project. The paper you select directly impacts how your finished piece looks, feels, and performs - affecting color vibrancy, image sharpness, readability, durability, and the overall impression your brand makes. A beautifully designed piece on the wrong stock can undermine the entire presentation. The right stock makes everything look more intentional and professional.
At Copies America, we offer a comprehensive range of paper weights, coatings, and finishes across text weight, cover weight, and specialty categories. This guide explains every option we carry - what it is, how it feels, and which products and applications it is best suited for.
Paper weight is measured in three ways depending on the system used. All three describe the same physical property - how thick and heavy the paper is.
The most common measurement in the United States. The number refers to the weight of 500 sheets of the paper at its base size. Common examples: 20/50lb bond (standard office paper), 28/70lb text (good quality flyer paper), 100lb text (premium brochure stock), 80lb cover (light cardstock), 100lb cover (standard business card stock).
Used for thicker cardstocks where actual physical thickness is more meaningful than weight. One point equals one thousandth of an inch. 12pt cover stock is 0.012" thick. 16pt is 0.016". 18pt is 0.018". Points are used for business cards, postcards, and cover stocks where the card's rigidity and feel are the primary consideration.
The metric standard used internationally and in offset printing specifications. 80 GSM is approximately standard office paper. 170 GSM is a typical brochure stock. 300 GSM is a heavy cardstock. Contact our team if you need GSM equivalents for any of our stocks - we are happy to provide conversions for your project specifications.
Text weight papers are thinner and more flexible than cover weight - used for the interior pages of booklets, flyers, brochures, letterheads, notepads, and any application where a paper-like feel (rather than cardstock) is appropriate.
| Stock | Finish | Feel | Best For |
| 20/50lb Bond | Smooth | Standard office paper weight | Internal documents, forms, basic copies |
| 20/50lb Bond - Pastels | Smooth | Standard, colored | Color-coded documents, forms (blue, yellow, pink, green) |
| 24/60lb Text | Smooth | Slightly heavier, better opacity | Letters, brochures, double-sided documents |
| 24/60lb Text - Pastels & Brights | Smooth | Standard, colored | Color-coded forms, announcements, handouts |
| 28/70lb Text Smooth | Smooth | Bright white, minimal show-through | Flyers, brochures, newsletters - most popular text stock |
| 28/70lb Text Linen | Linen texture | Tactile woven texture, off-white | Upscale stationery, letterheads, professional correspondence |
| 32/80lb Text Smooth | Smooth | High opacity, premium weight | Premium reports, high-quality double-sided printing |
| 32/80lb Text Gloss | Semi-gloss | Coated, enhanced color | Magazines, catalogs, photo books, marketing brochures |
| 100lb Text Gloss | Gloss | Heavy, magazine-like | Premium brochures, manuals, book interiors |
Cover weight papers are thicker and more rigid than text weight - used for business cards, postcards, booklet covers, product cards, and any application where durability and a substantial feel are required.
| Stock | Finish | Thickness | Best For |
| 65lb Cover - Pastels & Brights | Smooth | Lightweight cardstock | Table tents, signs, colored display pieces |
| 80lb Cover Smooth | Smooth | Medium cardstock | Booklet covers, posters, display pieces |
| 80lb Cover Gloss | Semi-gloss | Medium cardstock | Photo-heavy booklet covers, vibrant marketing pieces |
| 100lb Cover Smooth | Smooth | Heavy cardstock | Business cards, postcards, durable book covers |
| 100lb Cover Gloss | Semi-gloss | Heavy cardstock | Premium postcards, high-impact marketing cards |
| 100lb Cover Linen | Linen texture | Heavy cardstock | Elegant business cards, premium stationery, invitations |
| 8pt Cover - Waterproof | Smooth, synthetic | 0.008" - flexible | Menus, outdoor tags, cookbooks - waterproof and tearproof |
| 12pt Cover High Gloss C1S | Gloss one side | 0.012" - thick | Booklet covers, cards - write on uncoated back |
| 16pt Extra Thick - Smooth | Smooth matte | 0.016" - extra thick | Premium business cards, postcards, greeting cards |
| 16pt Extra Thick - C2S | Gloss both sides | 0.016" - extra thick | Premium business cards, postcards - gloss both sides |
| 18pt Ultra Thick - C2S | Gloss both sides | 0.018" - thickest | Extra-durable business cards, postcards, book covers |
A mica-coated metallic surface that adds a subtle shimmer and sophistication to any printed piece. FSC certified and acid-free. Ideal for premium invitations, luxury brand materials, product launches, and any piece that benefits from a distinctive metallic sheen. The metallic surface also slightly shifts how CMYK colors appear - colors often look richer and more dramatic on metallic stock.
Available in both text and cover weights, made from 100% post-consumer recycled fiber. Acid-free and manufactured using wind power. Available in smooth and linen finishes. Ideal for businesses and organizations that want to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on print quality or professional appearance. FSC certification available.
Available in 2-part sets (white and yellow) and 3-part sets (white, yellow, and pink). Writing on the top sheet transfers to the sheets below without carbon paper. Used for invoices, work orders, delivery receipts, and any business form requiring instant duplicate or triplicate copies. See our Carbonless Forms NCR product category for full options.
A full range of wide-format substrates for posters, banners, signage, and displays including photo gloss paper, satin photo, canvas, self-adhesive vinyl, and outdoor-grade materials for both indoor and outdoor applications. Contact our team for wide format specifications, sizing options, and pricing for your specific display requirements.
Paper finish and coating are two separate decisions. The paper finish is the surface of the stock itself. The coating is an additional layer applied after printing that changes the look, feel, and durability of the finished piece. Here are the main coating options available.
A water-based coating applied inline on the press immediately after printing. Adds a light gloss sheen that enhances color vibrancy, protects the ink surface from fingerprints and scuffing, and speeds drying. The most common coating on printed marketing materials. Not as glossy as UV but more economical and environmentally friendly.
The same water-based coating process as gloss AQ but formulated to produce a flat, non-reflective surface. Gives the piece a soft, refined appearance that many professional service brands prefer. Colors appear slightly less vivid than gloss but text reads more clearly in bright or fluorescent lighting. Increasingly popular for business cards and premium marketing materials.
A liquid coating cured instantly under ultraviolet light. Produces an extremely high-gloss, glass-like surface that is harder, more scratch-resistant, and more durable than AQ. Colors appear vivid and saturated. UV coating is the most protective option available and gives the piece a noticeably premium, almost wet-look finish. Not writable.
UV coating applied selectively to specific areas of the design - typically logos, headlines, or images - while the rest of the piece remains matte. The contrast between the glossy UV-coated areas and the flat matte background creates a dramatic, tactile visual effect that makes key design elements jump off the page. One of the most impactful finishing options available.
A thin plastic film bonded to the surface of the printed piece under heat and pressure. More durable than any AQ or UV coating - resistant to moisture, tearing, and heavy handling. Produces an extremely smooth, reflective surface. Common for high-end business cards, menus, ID cards, and any piece that needs to withstand extended daily handling.
A velvet-like matte laminate that transforms the surface of any printed piece into a soft, velvety texture that is immediately distinctive to the touch. The tactile sensation alone creates a strong and memorable impression. Colors appear rich and deep under soft-touch laminate. The definitive choice for luxury business cards and premium brand materials where the physical sensation of the card is part of the brand experience.
The single most common question we receive after a job is delivered: "Why do my colors look different from my screen?" The answer is almost always a combination of paper stock and the fundamental difference between screen color and print color.
Screens display color by emitting light in RGB (Red, Green, Blue). Print presses reproduce color by layering ink in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) on a physical surface. RGB can produce colors - particularly bright neons, vivid blues, and luminous purples - that are outside the CMYK gamut entirely and simply cannot be reproduced in print at the same intensity. This is why colors that look vivid on screen may appear less saturated when printed.
Coated paper (gloss or matte) has a clay-based surface layer that prevents ink from absorbing deeply into the paper fibers. The ink stays on the surface where it dries with maximum color density and sharpness. Colors printed on coated stock are noticeably more vibrant, images are sharper, and fine details are crisper. This is the correct stock for any design where color accuracy and image quality are primary.
Uncoated paper (bond, offset, linen) has no surface coating - ink absorbs directly into the paper fibers when it hits the surface. This slightly dulls and softens colors compared to the same design printed on coated stock. Blacks are less deep, colors are less saturated, and fine detail in images is slightly softer. This is expected and normal - uncoated stock is correct for documents, letterheads, and forms but not for photo-heavy marketing materials.
If you are printing on uncoated stock, increase the richness and saturation of your colors slightly in your design to compensate for ink absorption. Avoid fine details in small type and thin lines - they will appear slightly softer. If accurate color reproduction is critical, always choose a coated stock. If you are unsure, contact us and we can advise on the right stock for your specific design.
Even within coated stocks, gloss and matte finishes produce different color perceptions. Gloss coating reflects light, making colors appear brighter and more saturated - especially useful for photography and bold graphics. Matte coating diffuses light, making colors appear slightly more subdued and sophisticated - better for text-heavy designs and professional service brands. Both are correct choices - it depends on the desired visual tone.
Paper brightness - measured on a scale of 0 to 100 - directly affects how colors print. A brighter white paper makes colors appear more vivid because there is more contrast between the paper and the ink. Premium opaque stocks typically rate 96-98 brightness. Standard bond rates around 84-88. The difference is visible, especially in how white areas appear and how well light colors contrast against the background.
Paper weight numbers are abstract until you relate them to something you already know. These real-world comparisons make it immediately clear what each weight feels like.
| Paper Weight | What It Feels Like | Typical Use |
| 20lb Bond | Standard printer paper - the paper in your office printer tray right now | Internal documents, forms, copies |
| 28/70lb Text | Slightly heavier than printer paper - quality feel, holds up when handled | Flyers, brochures, newsletters |
| 100lb Text | A magazine page - smooth, substantial, bends rather than folds crisply | Premium brochure interiors, booklets |
| 80lb Cover | A greeting card - noticeable weight, some rigidity, bends under pressure | Light booklet covers, display pieces |
| 100lb Cover | A standard postcard from the mail - solid, holds its shape, professional feel | Postcards, standard business cards |
| 14pt Cover | A thick premium business card - noticeably rigid, does not flex under normal handling | Standard premium business cards |
| 16pt Cover | Close to a credit card - very rigid, substantial in the hand, memorable feel | Premium business cards, thick postcards |
| 18pt Cover | Thicker than a credit card - the thickest printed card most people have ever held | Ultra-premium business cards, specialty |
| 32pt Layered | Two 16pt sheets bonded together - strikingly thick, like a luxury hotel key card | Painted edge business cards |
Whether a paper surface accepts pen, pencil, or laser toner is determined by its coating - not its weight. This distinction is critical for any product that will be written on or run through an office printer after delivery.
All uncoated papers accept pen (ballpoint, gel, rollerball), pencil, and standard laser and inkjet toner cleanly. The uncoated fiber surface provides enough texture for ink to grip and dry without smearing. Ideal for any product that will be filled in, signed, or written on.
| Letterheads | Print in office laser printer - uncoated only |
| Notepads | Written on daily - requires uncoated |
| NCR Forms | Must accept pen pressure - uncoated only |
| Envelopes | Addressed by hand or laser printer |
Coated papers (gloss AQ, matte AQ, UV, laminated) resist ink from pens - ballpoint ink beads up and smears instead of absorbing. They also resist toner adhesion in most office laser printers, causing toner to flake off the surface. Never order a product on coated stock if it will need to be written on or run through your office printer.
| Business Cards | Coated - not meant to be written on |
| Postcards | Coated - use address labels for direct mail |
| Gloss Booklets | Coated covers resist pen and toner |
| C1S Exception | Coated one side only - uncoated back is writable |
C1S stocks are coated on the outside face (gloss, vibrant printing) and uncoated on the inside or back (writable, printable in office printers). Our 12pt C1S High Gloss cover stock is the most common example - the gloss face handles your full-color design beautifully while the uncoated back can be written on or stamped. A practical choice for booklet covers, table tents, and cards where one writable side is needed.
Environmentally responsible printing is increasingly important for businesses with sustainability commitments. Here is what our recycled and eco-certified options mean in practice.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification means the paper was sourced from responsibly managed forests that meet strict environmental, social, and economic standards. FSC certification is the globally recognized standard for sustainable forestry. Available on select stocks - ask us for current FSC-certified options for your specific product.
Our recycled paper options contain 30% or 100% post-consumer recycled fiber - paper that has already been used, collected, and reprocessed. Post-consumer recycled content is the most meaningful recycled designation because it diverts material from landfill rather than using manufacturing waste (pre-consumer). Available in both text and cover weights.
Select recycled stocks in our lineup are manufactured using wind power, reducing the carbon footprint of the paper production process itself beyond just the recycled fiber content. If reducing the full lifecycle environmental impact of your printed materials is important to your organization, ask us which stocks carry this designation.
Modern recycled papers print beautifully and are indistinguishable in quality from virgin fiber stocks in most applications. The slight cream or off-white tone of some recycled stocks is the only visible difference - and for many brands this natural tone is actually preferred aesthetically. Recycled stocks are available for flyers, brochures, letterheads, and more.
For flyers, brochures, postcards, and business cards where visual impact matters, choose a coated paper (gloss or matte text or cover). Coated stock produces richer colors, sharper images, and a more professional finish than uncoated equivalents.
For letterheads, forms, notepads, and any document that will be written on or laser-printed in an office, use uncoated stock. Uncoated surfaces accept pen, pencil, and laser toner cleanly. Coated stocks resist writing and can cause toner adhesion issues in office printers.
When your piece features photography as a primary design element, gloss coated stock makes images sharper, more detailed, and more vibrant than any other finish. The reflective surface enhances contrast and color saturation.
Law firms, financial advisors, healthcare providers, and consultants often prefer matte or linen-textured stock. The non-reflective surface conveys sophistication, authority, and attention to detail - and is easier to read under fluorescent office lighting.
The standard for business cards is 14pt for everyday use, 16pt for a premium feel that stands out from standard cards, and 18pt for maximum thickness and impact. The heavier the cardstock, the more substantial and memorable the card feels in the hand.
For menus, outdoor tags, industrial labels, and anything that will be handled heavily in wet or dirty environments, our 8pt waterproof synthetic stock is tearproof and fully water-resistant while printing full color beautifully.
Text weight papers are thinner and more flexible - like the paper used in books, flyers, and brochure interiors. Cover weight papers are thicker and more rigid - like cardstock used for business cards, booklet covers, and postcards. A 100lb text and a 100lb cover are very different in actual thickness because they are measured from different base sizes. Cover weight is always noticeably heavier and stiffer than text weight at the same pound number.
Gloss coating gives the paper a shiny, reflective surface that makes colors more vibrant and images crisper - ideal for photo-heavy designs and bold marketing materials. Matte coating gives the paper a smooth, non-reflective surface with a refined, sophisticated feel - easier to read in bright lighting and preferred for text-heavy documents and professional service brands. Both are equally durable and both print CMYK color beautifully.
Most office laser printers are not designed to run coated stocks. Toner does not adhere well to coated surfaces and can smear, flake, or cause printer jams. If you need stock that will be printed in our facility and also run through your laser printer (like letterheads), choose an uncoated stock. If you only need us to print it, coated stock is fine.
Standard business cards are printed on 14pt C2S (Coated 2 Sides) cardstock - the industry standard for everyday business cards. For a premium feel, we offer 16pt (noticeably thicker) and 18pt (the thickest option). Specialty business cards are also available on 16pt with soft-touch suede laminate (our Suede Business Cards) or 32pt layered cardstock with painted color edges (our Painted Edge Business Cards).
C1S means Coated 1 Side - one side has a gloss or matte coating and the other side is uncoated. This is common for booklet covers where the outside face needs to look vibrant and the inside can be written on or printed on separately. C2S means Coated 2 Sides - both sides are coated. This is the standard for business cards, postcards, and any piece where both sides will be printed and displayed.
Contact our team at 1-800-423-2679 or email Sales@CopiesAmerica.com and describe your project. We will recommend the right paper stock based on your product, design, distribution method, and budget. We can also send paper samples on request so you can feel the stock before committing to a full order.
Our team can recommend the best stock for your project - or send you samples before you order.
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