Paper - The Graphic Design: Reference and Specification - page 72

pa p e r u s a g e g u i d e
Use the following chart as a general reference guide for determining which papers are
most suitable for a given job.

Paper Type/
Standard Size
(inches and cm)

Characteristics/
Colors

Finishes Typical Sizes

(inches)

Basis Weights
(lb)

Primary Uses

8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11, 8 1 ⁄ 2 × 14,
11 × 17, 17 × 22,
17 × 28, 19 × 24,
19 × 28, 23 × 35 rolls

Bond
17 × 22
(43.2 × 55.9 cm)

Comes in a
range of pastels,
neutrals, matching
envelopes, and
cover weights

Smooth, cockle 16, 20, 24 Fliers, forms,

photocopies,
newsletters

Writing paper
17 × 22
(43.2 × 55.9 cm)

8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11 , 17 × 22,
22 1 ⁄ 2 × 35, 23 × 35,
25 × 38 rolls

24, 28 Stationery

Comes in a range
of colors and flock-
ing options that
match envelopes,
plus cover and text
weights

Smooth, linen
laid, vellum,
cockle, and more

8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11, 8 1 ⁄ 2 × 14,
17 1 ⁄ 2 × 22 1 ⁄ 2 ,
23 × 29, 22 1 ⁄ 2 × 35,
23 × 35, 25 × 38,
35 × 45, 38 × 50 rolls

Uncoated book
25 × 38
(63.5 × 96.5 cm)

Comes in a range
of colors and is
thicker and more
opaque than bond
or writing papers

30, 32, 35, 40, 45,
50, 60, 65, 70, 80

Books, direct
mail, newsletters,
catalogs

Smooth

Tex t
25 × 38
(63.5 × 96.5 cm)

8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11,17 1 ⁄ 2 ×
22 1 ⁄ 2 , 23 × 35,
25 × 38, 26 × 40

60, 65, 70, 75,
80, 100

Comes in a range
of colors and flock-
ing options that
match envelopes,
plus cover and text
weights

Smooth, linen
laid, vellum,
cockle,
and more

Letterhead, annual
reports, invitations,
posters, brochures,
direct mail, books

Coated book
25 × 38
(63.5 × 96.5 cm)

Dull, gloss, matte,
cast coated,
some embossed
finishes

40, 45, 50, 60, 70,
80, 100

Magazines,
catalogs, books,
direct mail,
annual reports

Matching cover
weights limited to
white and cream
although specialty
lines exist in a
range of colors

19 × 25, 23 × 29,
23 × 35, 25 × 38,
35 × 45, 38 × 50

Cover
20 × 26
(50.8 × 66 cm)

Smooth, cockle,
linen laid, vellum,
dull, gloss, matte,
cast coated

Heavier and more
durable counter-
part to coordinate
with text, book, and
writing papers

20 × 26, 23 × 35,
35 × 38, 26 × 40

60, 65, 80, 100,
120, 130

Business cards,
covers for annual
reports, brochures,
menus, tickets,
postcards, pocket
folders, greeting
cards

Index/Bristol
22 1 ⁄ 2 × 28 1 ⁄ 2
(57.2 × 72.4 cm)

22 × 28, 22 1 ⁄ 2 × 28 1 ⁄ 2 ,
23 × 35, 24 × 36,
25 1 ⁄ 2 × 30 1 ⁄ 2 ,
28 × 44

67, 90, 100, 110,
125, 140, 150, 175

Comes in a
range of colors
and finishes

Coated, vellum,
smooth

Postcards, file
folders, index
cards, boxes, tickets,
clothing tags

Translucent
vellum

8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11, 23 × 35,
25 × 38

17, 21 1 ⁄ 4 , 24, 27,
29, 40, 48, 53

Fly sheets, over-
lays, see-thru
envelopes for invi-
tations and other
mailings

Semitransparent
stock comes in
a range of colors
and weights
plus matching
envelopes

Smooth, grooved

Newsprint
24 × 36
(61 × 91.5 cm)

Inexpensive, light-
weight, white/
manila only

Vellum Rolls 30 Newspapers,

tabloids

Label 8 1 ⁄ 2 × 11, 17 × 22,

20 × 26, 24 × 30 rolls

Comes in gummed,
pressure sensitive,
self-adhesive back-
ing, and in a range
of colors

Smooth (uncoat-
ed), matte, dull,
glossy, and cast
coated

60, 70 Labels, signs,

stickers

Kraft
24 × 36
(61 × 91.5 cm)

Strong and durable,
brown/ manila only

Vellum Rolls 30, 40, 50

Bags, envelopes