Paper we keep coming back to

Clients rarely ask about paper, but they always notice it. A business card on the right stock feels like a small gift; on the wrong one it feels like a flyer. Over the years we have narrowed our everyday choices down to a handful of uncoated papers that work for short runs and local printers.

Our short list

• A soft natural white, 120–300 g/m². Our default for letterheads, menus and cards. Warm without looking yellow, and kind to pencil and ink stamps.
• A recycled stock with visible fibres. For packaging inserts and care cards. The texture hides small printing imperfections, which is useful for digital short runs.
• A coloured board in a muted tone. For covers and tags. We pick one colour per brand and stick to it, instead of collecting swatches.
• A light, almost translucent sheet. For wrapping and small notes. It makes a simple package feel thoughtful.

Ask the printer early

The best advice we can give is to visit the printer before the design is finished. They know which stocks they keep in the warehouse, which ones are about to be discontinued and which ones behave badly on their machines in humid weather. A ten-minute conversation saves a lot of reprints.

Good paper does not have to be expensive. It just has to be chosen on purpose.