Choosing paper for a brand catalogue

The image is a catalogue application concept, not a photograph of a specific grade, measured print result or customer project.

Start paper selection with a representative proof sheet. Bring together the project’s skin tones, dark tonal areas, pale grey backgrounds, small type and generous unprinted areas. These reveal more useful questions than a general sample chosen only to look attractive. Use the proposed stock and actual artwork, and record the printing method and file revision.

IMPRINT offers a white coated or lightly coated printing-paper direction. White grades within MONO are uncoated printing papers. Compare them against the catalogue’s image coverage, surface appearance and reading experience, rather than choosing on whiteness or thickness alone. Confirm grammage, thickness and print compatibility for the available grade; a series name cannot replace a specification or proof.

Review the paper white, shadow detail, small-type edges and interference when reading both sides. Then assess opening, the spine and page turning in a bound prototype. Use the proposed page count and binding method at close to the final size. If the cover uses a different stock or thickness, check its creasing, folding and binding separately. Approval of an interior print does not approve the cover or finished book.

Is whiteness enough to select catalogue paper? No. It is one piece of information; surface, images, fine type and binding still need physical review. Use consistent viewing conditions, and avoid ranking whiteness figures obtained under different conditions.

Retain the approved proof sheet, bound prototype, stock identification and artwork revision. For sample requests, provide the format, page count, cover and interior requirements, printing process and binding plan. Method reference: Gmund Offset Printing Guide. It supports general selection and processing methods, not QiLi specifications or measured results.