Paper Type and UV Coating Guide for Direct Mail
Is your direct mail postcard design ready to print? Once you've finished designing your direct mail pieces, you'll need to choose the most suitable variety of paper for your campaign.
Paper comes in a wide range of types, most commonly grouped into certain grades and weights. For direct mail postcards, we offer a variety of paper options ranging from 80lb matte card stock to heavier and thicker 130lb stock.
Which type of paper is best for your campaign? That depends on your goals. In this guide, we'll talk more about the various types of paper available for your direct mail campaign and share the advantages of several types of paper and coating options.
Which paper is best for you?
When you launch a direct mail campaign with QuantumPostcards, you can choose from a variety of paper options. We offer paper that ranges in weight from 80lb to 130lb, as well as a variety of glossy and matte finishes.
Need a reliable option for postcards? Our most frequently purchased paper is 80lb Matte Card Stock – a durable paper suitable for direct mail postcards with a bright appearance and rich color.
A major advantage of matte paper is its resistance to fingerprints, which are slightly more obvious on glossy paper.
Another common option for postcards is our 100lb Gloss Card Stock. This is a type of medium-weight card stock that's slightly heavier and firmer than the 80lb card stock with a glossy finish that's great for bringing out colors.
Need a premium card stock? As well as our 80lb and 100lb card stock, we also offer a 130lb Premium Gloss Card Stock. This is the thickest glossy card stock we offer – a great choice for setting your campaign apart from the competition.
Finally, we also offer 16pt Ultra-Heavy Smooth Card Stock. This is our thickest card stock, with a luxurious feel that makes it perfect for business cards and other items where prestige is an important factor for your business.
Each type of card stock offers its own advantages and disadvantages, from price to durability. For most campaigns, an 80lb or 100lb card stock should be perfect. For an even more prestigious feel, our heavier card stocks may suit your campaign.
The importance of UV coating
Whichever card stock you choose for your campaign, it's important that your direct mail postcards arrive at their destination in good condition. As your piece makes its way through the mail system, it can become worn without the right protection.
UV coating is a type of protective coating that's applied to your postcards to protect them from the bumps, pressure and scratches they can experience as they travel to their destinations.
As well as protecting a postcard from wear and tear, UV coating creates a polished look that enhances the appearance of your postcards. This makes it a great choice, not just for protection, but also for your direct mail piece's looks.
Which option is best for your campaign?
Are you preparing to launch your first direct mail campaign? The paper you choose for your direct mail postcards can have a huge impact on how recipients respond to your campaign.
From light card stocks to heavier, thicker paper, each type of paper offers a range of advantages and disadvantages. To give your campaign the highest chance of success, try investing in high quality paper that sets your message apart from the rest.
