Best Types of Paper for Printing Letterhead Stationery

Developing a distinctive brand is a crucial part of growing any business, and your letterhead is an important part of that. Your letterhead tells your audience as much about your business as the contents of your correspondence. It communicates how professional and polished your company is, telling the reader if you are detail-oriented, consistent and organised. It also creates a mood, introduces you, and the impression it makes will linger. That is why choosing the best types of paper for printing your letterhead is so important.

The types of paper for printing letterhead are thicker than ordinary copier paper. Regular copier paper is 80 grams per square metre (gsm), while letterhead is at least 100gsm. While brochures and other sales material usually are printed on coated paper, letterhead should be uncoated. This is because someone will be signing letters and the recipient may wish to jot a note on the letter, and coated paper is difficult to write on. Coated paper does not work very well in laser or inkjet printers either.

That narrows the types of paper for printing letterhead to uncoated paper of at least 100gsm. A few different kinds of paper fit those criteria, so the next question is which one best reflects the company’s brand?

Choosing the Best Uncoated Paper for Letterhead

When considering the best types of paper for printing letterhead, the goal is to balance form and function. In other words, the paper should reflect the brand identity while also serving as the medium for an easy-to-read letter. Letterhead should be distinctive, and the source of the letter should be immediately obvious, but it should not be so quirky or gimmicky that it is awkward to use, store or read. The branding should not upstage the actual content of the letter.

Colour is what the eye notices first. Letterhead paper should typically be white or cream for easy reading, but the printed logo and company information at the top and bottom should use the brand’s signature colours. An experienced printer can give you advice on how to fit everything into a standard format, so your logo catches the eye, your contact details are obvious and the letter itself is easily read.

Different types of paper for printing have different textures. Letterhead paper ranges from smooth to linen-like. The company’s budget and brand image are some of the critical factors in choosing a paper texture for letterhead stationery. A solicitor or accountant might opt for a more textured paper because it conveys a sense of propriety and dignity and because their clients are more likely to keep that correspondence for their personal records. But in general, textured paper for letterhead is not standard. Most businesses use a 100 – 120gsm smooth, matte, uncoated paper that is affordable, functional and attractive.

If you are unsure which of the various types of paper for printing is ideal for your company’s letterhead, contact us. We will be happy to discuss your specific needs and advise you on the most effective options.