Coated or Uncoated Paper?

This is often the question…. and will need to be specified at an early stage when starting out on any print project. Many designers prefer the tactile feel of uncoated paper but it often has the downside of turning images dark or muddy. Coated paper is much flatter in texture so it tends to feel sleek and slippery, but the bonus is that it will reproduce all images brightly and accurately.  

There are now some papers available that make the best of both worlds: one example isOmnia by Fenner Paper, which Principal Colour uses a lot for high quality design work. Omnia has the advantage of feeling the same as an uncoated paper, but it reproduces like a coated paper. One drawback is the extra cost, and an extra day is usually need on the print schedule to ensure that the paper is properly dry before finishing. But we feel the final result is well worth it!

Amelia’s Magazine issue 04 (above) was printed on Omnia.