Paper Types
Satin
Satin is our recommended choice for high-quality results. Satin is a coated paper with a smooth finish and a slight sheen. Satin is suitable for print jobs containing text and pictures, making printed colours appear bright and well defined, and is great for readability.
Gloss
Gloss is a coated paper with a high shine. Printed colours appear bright and vivid on gloss paper, making it ideal for displaying striking graphics and photographs in colour.
Uncoated
Unlike gloss or silk, this paper does not have a coating, which gives it a very soft finish. This paper stock is very absorbent, and colours have a more understated appearance. Uncoated paper is particularly suitable for items like Postcards since it makes them easy to write on.
Recycled
Recycled papers are eco-friendly stocks that contains 100% recycled fibres. They are better for the planet and save more than 70% of the energy and water used in traditional paper production.
Photo Lustre
For Layflat items, Photo Lustre has the look and feel of traditional photographic paper and produces vivid, high-definition print work. It possesses remarkable ageing and water resistance properties, complemented by a stunning glossy and pearlescent finish.
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Paper Weights
What is lb?
The term lb is an abbreviation for pound. The higher the paper weight, the heavier the paper.
Text vs Cover paper
Cover Paper is thicker than Text paper. For example, 80lb Cover paper would be the same weight as 145lb Text paper.
Text 60lb
This paper range is thin, lightweight and very flexible, ideal for projects with low ink coverage.
Text 70 – 80lb
This lightweight paper stock range is budget-friendly and cost-effective for those planning to send their prints by post (lighter paper, less postage to pay). Most Magazine prints are often in this range.
Text 100lb and above
This popular paper weight range offers little to no show-through - meaning if you opt for double-sided printing, print work on the other side of the page will not be as obvious. It's also strong enough to support thread-sewn binding for items like Hardcover Books.
Cover 80 - 130lb
This paper is thick and has a more premium feel. This paper stock is perfect for covers on Comic Books and Colouring Books.
Paper Sizes
We offer products in a range of sizes with other popular sizes available. You can learn more about them here. If you cannot see your preferred print specifications, you can contact us and get a free quote for a custom size.
| Size | Width (“) | Height (“) |
|---|---|---|
| Tabloid | 11 | 17 |
| Legal | 8.5 | 14 |
| Letter | 8.5 | 11 |
| Digest | 5.5 | 8.5 |
| Junior Legal | 5 | 8 |
Special Book Sizes
| Size | Width (“) | Height (“) |
|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8.5 | 11 |
| Square | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| US Trade | 6 | 9 |
| Digest | 5.5 | 8.5 |
Cover Papers
Cover papers add a front and back cover to bound items and cover the spine. To add a cover, select Add Cover on our Instant Price Calculator and choose your print specifications.
The heavier the cover paper weight, the more rigid your item will be. Please avoid adding a thick cover to bound items with low page counts, as it forces the pages to stay open.
You may want to choose a thinner cover to give your bound items more flexibility, but you can also forgo a cover entirely. This option is known as a self-cover or floppy cover due to the bendable nature of the item.
IMPORTANT: Only cover papers can be laminated, not inner pages. Read more about our cover paper finishes and laminations here.
Suitability
We offer a range of paper weights, but not all options are suitable for every product. But don’t worry – our Instant Price Calculator will not let you choose any unsuitable options.
The method we use to print your order (offset or digital) can also affect what options are available. Our advanced online system will ensure your print specifications correspond to the best printer for your print job.
For example, business stationery is printed often on uncoated paper, similar to the paper stock you might use with a desktop printer. However, you cannot produce the quality of work using digital, uncoated paper, so we would print all business stationery using an offset press.
Upgrading and Variations
Occasionally, the paper weight you request for your prints goes out of stock. Instead of delaying your order, we will upgrade the paper weight and print your work on the next weight up. This is a standard procedure in the printing industry, and we will not charge you extra. Plus, we will never downgrade your paper either. While not an issue for most, it can affect postage costs if you plan to send your prints in the post. If you must have a specific paper weight, let us know before your work goes to production.
Variations in Paper Production
Paper is a natural material supplied by paper mills in batches. Therefore, there can be weight or thickness variations between batches, resulting in a paper up to 10lb heavier or lighter.We may also buy our paper from different merchants, which can sometimes lead to variations in our paper stock.
Environmentally Friendly
At Mixam, we know our impact on the environment matters. Sourcing materials with minimal environmental impact, we work hard to ensure we leave the lightest possible carbon footprint from the beginning and end of the printing process.
What we're doing to help:
- We print on eco-friendly, recycled papers certified by FSC.
- All our paper stocks come from sustainable sources
- We use superior quality vegetable-based inks
- We recycle all our waste products
