CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAPER

Kwik Kopy Print Consultants can help you choose a paper stock for any need . . . well, almost any need!

Ordering print material is usually pretty straight forward, however, a little bit of knowledge with regards to paper options may actually save you money and make your print material stand out.

  

One of the most common questions you will be asked when ordering a print job is how heavy a paper do you want?  20 lb. bond is the most common stock used in photocopiers and is a great inexpensive option for general purpose photocopying and use in such documents as internal reports, and memos, etc.  

  

If you are trying to make an impression and are using colour then you need to make some real decisions.    Generally, the more color coverage you have on your page the heavier the paper stock should be.  This will minimiize show-through and make the images and text easier to read and look at.  Text weights range from 50 lb. (often called book stock) up to 110 lb.  The heavier the paper, the more opaque it becomes and the thicker the feel.  Keep in mind, that a book made with 100lb. text will be a thicker book and the pages will have a great feel, however, the pages will probably be harder to turn over when reading. 

  

Next you will be asked if you want coated or uncoated paper.  Regular 20lb. copy paper is uncoated as is most of the paper used in books.  Uncoated paper is best if you will be writing on the paper (i.e. forms, applying stamps, etc.).  Coated paper can either be glossy or matte/satin.  These papers are usally used with color documents as the finish really helps colors and detail pop off the page. 

  

One last thing anyone buying print should be aware of is grain direction.  All paper fibers will run in one direction on the page.  If the grain direction is not correct, business cards will feel and look floppy, booklets won't close properly, and coated paper may crack.  Matching the grain direction is an important part of the print process. 

  

Please make sure to talk to your print consultant about these options as he/she will be able to help you pick the best paper for your print needs. 

SNEAK PEAK INSIDE THE EXPANSION

RED ROCK 'N' ROLLER 

  

Lori Bernard a.k.a. Highland Fling Her (plaid skirt) in action

If anyone were to step out back to our digital reproduction department, one of the first people they would meet would be this quiet, unassuming woman dilligently ensuring her customers were getting the best quality photocopies. Strap a pair of roller skates, a helmet, and some elbow and knee pads on her and you have Highland Fling Her a.k.a. Lori Bernard, one of the members of PEI's Red Rock 'N' Roller Derby.

  

Anyone familiar with Roller Derby from the 70's,  definitely would not picture Lori in that rough and tumble sport. Looks can definitely be deceiving.  When asked why she decided to join PEI's first roller derby league she answered,"I had a friend who told me about this league starting up and I couldn't get the thought of joining out of my head.  After 3 or 4 days I signed up."  Although the sport is awesome exercise, Lori talks most about the social aspect, "I love the camraderie and the new friendships I have made.  Even the girls I'll be skating against have become good friends."  Don't get her wrong though, she is just as eager to talk about the bruises she has received as well as delivered.

  

Lori, a mother of twin nine year-old girls, has been working in the digital department of Kwik Kopy since June of 2006.  Before joining us she worked as a secretary and as a stay-at-home mom.  "I really like how every day is different here, and  seeing digital artwork come in and leave as a great looking document or piece of artwork is really neat."  She then adds with a laugh, " I also really enjoy working with all the crazy people here!"  Her advice to people sending in artwork to be digitally reproduced, "Make sure your artwork is saved as a PDF and you have included bleeds and crop-marks into the file."

Kwik Kopy Design and Print Centre Charlottetown's Services