Paper Stock Glossary

Uncoated Paper

There are a variety of coating finishes, and specialized uncoated papers, but paper stock is either coated or uncoated. All paper actually falls into one of these two categories.

Uncoated paper has a non-glare surface and is absorbent. It has nothing covering the natural fibers and easily soaks up ink. Uncoated paper can be textured, for example, a linen finish, but it can also be very smooth, like printer or copy paper. Uncoated paper is the easiest to write on. Uncoated paper is generally used for things like: stationery and standard envelopes, inexpensive flyers, newsletters and a final product you can write on, etc.

Coated Paper

Coated paper has been covered with a hardened clay material so that it will better display text and images with sharper detail and denser color. The coating can be a non-shiny matte, dull, gloss and cast coated (a mirror-finish high gloss), spanning the range from non to super glossy. Paper can be coated on one or both sides. Paper coated on one side is often used for low-cost postcards. Coated paper is more difficult to write on, especially with pencils or ballpoint pens. booklet printing exampleCoated paper is great for: brochures, catalogs, postcards, packaging and a product that you won't be writing on, etc.

What is C2S?

C2S is describing paper that is clay coated (glossy) on both sides. It generally refers to paper that is 8pt and above. (This should not be confused with a gloss coating that is applied to sheets after they are printed, i.e., a post-printing treatment.)

What is C1S?

Similarly, C1S refers to a paper stock that is coated only on one side (versus C2S where the paper is coated on both sides). As the backside is completely un-coated, it suits for applications where a lot of writing is intended on that side.