Goodbye Paper Jargon: Our Standard Stocks

Choosing the right paper can be confusing when every product seems to come with its own code and abbreviation. At Quinprint, we’ve simplified things by describing our standard paper and card stocks in plain language. Whether you’re ordering business cards, postcards, or booklets, you’ll find it easy to understand the difference between light, medium, and premium options without needing to decode trade terms.

When you see technical terms like “C1S” or “C2S,” here’s what they mean. “C1S” stands for coated one side, meaning one side has a smooth, coated finish for printing and the other is uncoated for writing. It’s perfect for greeting cards because you can write on the inside with ease, which is why we call it Greeting Card Stock. “C2S” means coated two sides, so both sides have a smooth, glossy or silky finish, ideal for pieces like postcards and business cards that are printed front and back.

What “Text” Means in Paper Terms

“Text” or text weight papers are thinner and more flexible than card stocks. They’re used for flyers, reports, inserts, or booklets.

• Bond paper: Lightweight uncoated paper for everyday printing, letterhead, memos, or general stationery (20–24 lb bond paper).
• Standard paper: Smooth, bright uncoated paper for crisp prints and everyday uses (Husky 70 lb Text).
• Medium paper: A thicker option with a quality feel for higher end brochures or multi page booklets (Lynx 80 lb Text).
• Standard gloss: Coated on both sides for a shiny, high impact look that makes full colour images pop (80 lb EuroArt Plus Gloss Text or Flo Dull Digital).
• Heavy gloss: A thicker, more durable version of our gloss stock for premium brochures or covers (100 lb EuroArt Plus Gloss Text).
• Standard silk: Smooth, low sheen coated paper that provides a professional finish without the glare of gloss (80 lb EuroArt Plus Silk Text).
• Heavy silk: Heavier weight silk paper for a luxurious feel and added durability (100 lb EuroArt Plus Silk Text).
• Premium paper: Bright white, uncoated paper with a refined tactile feel, ideal for high end reports or proposals (Cougar 100 lb Text).

Card Stock (Cover)

Card stock, also called cover stock, is thicker and sturdier than text paper. It’s used for business cards, postcards, invitations, and covers that need structure and strength.

• Light card stock: Thin but sturdy card stock for simple cards, postcards, or light covers (Tango 10 pt Digital Cover C2S).
• Standard card stock: The everyday go to for covers, heavier postcards, and short run cards (Tango 12 pt Digital Cover C2S).
• Medium card stock: A heavier, more substantial option for projects that need durability (Tango 14 pt Digital Cover C2S).
• Premium uncoated card stock: Thick, uncoated stock that’s elegant and ideal for invitations or minimalist stationery (Cougar 130 lb Digital Cover).
• Greeting card stock: One side coated and one side uncoated, offering vibrant print quality outside and a writable surface inside (Tango 12 pt Digital Cover C1S).

Why this approach works

• Easy to understand: Plain language like gloss, silk, light, and premium makes choosing simple.
• Flexible: As new stocks arrive, such as extra heavy gloss or recycled uncoated text, they fit naturally into these categories.
• Transparent trade names: Behind the scenes, we map every plain language option to the exact trade stock used in production, so you get consistent quality without needing to know brand names or codes.

How this Fits Your Order

When you order, choose a plain language category, such as medium paper or standard card stock, and tell us your preferred finish, like gloss, silk, or uncoated. Internally, we map that to the exact trade product, so the material used for your order, like Christmas cards, is always correct and consistent with our standards.

Need help choosing?

If you’d like help picking the right paper or card stock for your next project, we can recommend options that suit your design, quantity, and budget, and even provide samples on request.