Papers
Our creative papers are sorted by world and by range, so you can choose from over 200 references to create your own unique, made-to-measure printing project. Our catalogues are mainly made up of uncoated papers specifically for letterpress or offset printing. Our references include papers from leading manufacturers such as Gmund, Fedrigoni, Favini, GF Smith, Koehler, Arctic Paper, James Cropper, etc.
Our catalogues by range
Cotton papers are the most numerous in our catalogues. These are high quality paper types that we use for letterpress and offset printing. These papers are made from cotton fibres mixed with other materials, giving them unique characteristics. Here are the main fibres used in the manufacture of our cotton papers:
Cotton fibres: cotton fibres are the main component of cotton papers. Cotton is a natural vegetable fibre that comes from the cotton plant. Cotton fibres are valued for their softness, strength and ability to absorb ink evenly, resulting in sharp, precise prints.
Flax fibres: flax fibres are sometimes blended with cotton fibres to make top-of-the-range cotton papers. Linen is also a natural plant fibre and has similar properties to cotton. Linen fibres add strength to paper and can improve its durability.
Abaca fibres: abaca is a plant native to the Philippines and is often used to make special papers. Abaca fibres are known for their high strength and softness. When mixed with cotton fibres, it can give cotton paper a unique and luxurious texture.
Other fibres: in addition to cotton, flax and abaca, other natural fibres such as hemp, bamboo and jute can be used to make cotton paper. Each fibre has its own specific characteristics, particularly in terms of texture, resistance and ink absorption.
The use of these natural fibres in the manufacture of cotton paper gives business cards a distinctive look and a pleasant tactile feel. These papers are often valued for their superior quality, durability and ability to enhance letterpress or offset printing, making them ideal for high-end business cards.
9 criteria for defining the characteristics of a paper
1. Grammage: Grammage is the weight of paper per unit area, generally expressed in grams per square metre (g/m²). The higher the grammage, the thicker and more resistant the paper.
2. Format: The paper format is the size of the sheet, expressed in length and width.
3. Thickness: The thickness of the paper is the distance between the two surfaces of the sheet, measured in microns. It depends on both the grammage and the composition of the paper.
4. Texture : Paper texture is the surface of the paper and can vary from smooth to rough, glossy to matt.
5. Opacity : Opacity is the measure of a paper’s ability to prevent transparency by blocking light. A more opaque paper has a better ability to hide the content printed on the reverse side.
6. Whiteness: Whiteness is a measure of the reflection of light by the paper, generally expressed as a percentage. Whiter paper can give a brighter, higher contrast print.
7. Absorption: Paper absorption is a measure of the ink’s absorption capacity. It depends on the surface of the paper and can influence print quality.
8. Stiffness: Stiffness is a measure of the paper’s ability to retain its shape and volume after being handled.
9. Durability: Durability is a measure of the paper’s resistance to tearing, wear and fading.
There are many surface textures for creative papers, here are a few examples:
Smooth paper: Smooth paper is the most common and is used for many applications. It has a uniform surface with no rough edges.
Matt paper: Matt paper has a soft, velvety texture that reduces reflections and gives a warmer impression.
Glossy paper : Glossy paper has a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light, giving a more vibrant, high-contrast impression.
Satin paper: Satin paper has a smooth surface with a glossy finish and a silky feel.
Layered paper : Layered paper has a grainy, even texture that gives a traditional, handmade feel.
Textured paper: Textured papers have a variety of very different textures, including surfaces imitating wood grain, stone textures, leather textures, etc.
Metallic paper: Metallic paper has a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light and gives the impression of a precious metal, such as gold or silver.
The different types of paper
Digital printing papers: These are designed for use with digital printers, which print directly onto the paper from an electronic file. These papers have a specially treated surface for optimum ink absorption, guaranteeing high print quality. They often have a lighter grammage than letterpress or offset printing papers and can be available in a wide variety of finishes, such as matt, gloss or satin. They are generally used for printing discount business cards, flyers, posters, etc.
Uncoated letterpress papers: these are used for printing on letterpress presses, which is one of our traditional printing methods that uses engraved metal plates to transfer the ink onto the paper. These papers have a rougher surface that absorbs more ink, giving a more matt, textured impression. Uncoated papers are often used for projects such as books, magazines or brochures.
Uncoated offset papers: these are similar to uncoated letterpress papers, but are designed for use with offset presses, a printing method that transfers ink to a metal plate which is then pressed onto the paper. These papers have a smoother surface than uncoated letterpress papers, giving a sharper, more precise impression.
