As designers, we use our paper books and references to choose what paper we are going to print our brochure/mailer/booklet/flyer/etc on. Writing, text, cover and bristol are all terms used to describe the basis weight of paper. The basis weight is determined by weighing 500 sheets of any grade of paper in the proper basic size. In other words, 500 sheets of 17 x 22 24 lb. writing paper will weigh 24 pounds.
Do you have a quantity and time restriction? Limited storage space? Tired of paying for overruns and make-ready? Want to pay for only what you need? Digital printing is for you.
In the age of Kindles, e-readers and now the iPad, where am I going to get my paper fix? Gone are the days of paper company specification reps coming to visit us with the latest and greatest print and production samples. The number of paper mills are dwindling. Paper reps are unheard of. Even the paper merchants are branching out into other areas that don’t include paper.
But there’s something about paper that makes the printed word and images magical. The feel. The smell of ink on paper. The way the piece looks in different light. You don’t get that viewing anything on a screen. Sure you can be wow’d looking at a website or reading a blog, but when you really want to read – like a book – wouldn’t a dogeared paperback be preferable?
I’m all for saving trees, but if the tree-huggers of the world would actually go to a paper mill and see all they’re doing to be eco-conscious, they’ll realize that the mills aren’t deforesting at all. Most mills plant more trees than they cut down. It’s quite an amazing process. It’s time to print on paper. It’s time to bring back the love of the printed word.
Now… Who needs a brochure?
