What is coated vs uncoated paper?

At some point buying print you will hear the terms "coated paper" and "uncoated paper" and they can be confusing. The truth is that avoiding these terms (as some internet printers do!) can be worse. It is the most basic way that paper is categorized and a good thing to understand.  Very simply coated paper has some sort of clay coating on top (that can be matte dull or glossy). Think glossy magazine paper and you have the concept! The clay allows the inks and varnishes to sit up on the sheet and as a result - often printer sharper and clearer than on the other option. Coated paper (such as our house 14pt or 100# gloss book) take varnishes very well so you can use a dull sheet and apply gloss varnish or use a gloss sheet and apply dull varnish! Confused? No need - just talk to us about the look you want and we can suggest a good combination and show you samples.

Uncoated paper is completely different - think "fine stationery" or letterhead paper. With this paper there is NO clay coating and as such....this paper does NOT take varnishes well - it simply dives into the sheet and colors will look more subdued with less "pop" vs a coated sheet.  We LOVE uncoated paper for all stationery uses and especially classy business cards! Our most popular business card is our 18pt which is in fact and "uncoated sheet".

Ask us for samples - we are happy to send!

-Sean

An amazing value: EDDM or Every Door Direct Mail

Beleaguered though the Post Office might be - a well design post card mailed to the right audience still works. Launched in April of 2011 this is a new program that basically allows small business owners with no direct mail experience to design saturation (every door) mailings easily from any computer. With just a few clicks you can browse the individual post routes in a neighborhood and choose routes to form a mailing. An interactive map and easy instructions really set the program apart. Even someone who has never mailed before can usually pick it up easily. If your business wants to reach every door in a particular area - it is a amazing value since it delivers a HUGE "flat" class mail piece for the value price of just 14 cents!  This is a huge saving over first class presort and most standard class presorts would end up being more expensive.  A few simple rules:

• Flats only up to 3.3 ounces
• at least 200 pieces but no more than 5,000 per day
• mail must be taken directly to routes post office
• standard trays (free at the post office) need to be used

Many clients use our 6x11 Grand Postcard with a small size up to 6x11.625 which we allow at no extra charge. This small size change allows the piece to quality as a "Flat" in order to meet the EDDM requirements. Full specs on mail piece sizes can be found on the link below. Anyone contemplating a mailing should at least be familiar with the basic sizes - it can save a fortune!

http://dbcalc.usps.gov  has definitions for each postal class and is a great place to start.

http://uspseverydoor.com is the place to go to check it out!

We are always happy to help and feel free to call us anytime if you have questions on implementing a EDDM mailing for your business.

-Sean


http://deltagraphics.com