Choosing the Right Paper

When choosing a paper stock for a project, it’s important to make your selection wisely. Paper affects all aspects of a print project, including overall perception, reproduction quality, durability and mailing cost. Choose poorly, and you can ruin an otherwise great product.

Paper costs can account for up to 50% of the total cost of a print project. Fortunately, Springfield Printing can help you make the right stock choice for every type of project you design.

There is a nearly limitless range of paper stocks available. Let Springfield Printing help you find the right one for your project.

Consider the end use of the piece first - The end use of the piece is perhaps the most important factor when choosing a stock. For example, if a piece needs to be mailed, paper selection and weight is critical to meet strict postal regulations, however, too much weight can add significant postage costs. Another example is when a printed piece that will be handled frequently or have a long shelf life will benefit from the durability of a cover-weight stock. Have Springfield Printing prepare paper stock prototypes to answer any mailing weight and durability questions.

Smaller print run? Go with the better paper - At lower quantities, paper makes up a lesser percentage of the total print cost than for larger quantities. If your project is a run of 5,000 four-color brochures, it’s often a good idea to use the highest-quality sheet possible, as the cost decrease from a lower-quality sheet isn’t significant. For a run of 40,000 brochures, however, the cost difference is much greater.

Confirm availability - Not every paper stock you see in a swatchbook is readily available. If the paper you want isn’t available, we can often help you find a close match. Be sure to confirm your paper stock selection before file preparation is complete and have Springfield Printing check its availability.

The Springfield Printing Advantage
Navigating the dizzying array of paper choices can be frustrating unless you have Springfield Printing at your side to help you. Give us a call when designing your next project, and never worry about selecting the right paper again.