Paper and finish that travel well

Why it matters

Print pieces travel well when I use heavy cover stock and scuff resistant finishes that keep edges clean. That protects your brand look and keeps text and codes readable after mailing, handing out and riding in a pocket or glove box.

Exact steps

• Choose the right stock. For postcards and rack cards, pick a heavy cover stock, which is a thick paper made to resist bending. For tri fold or gate fold brochures, ask for a score, which is a light crease that stops the fold from cracking ink.
• Pick a finish that matches the job. Aqueous coating is a thin water based layer that resists smudges and lets people write with a pen. UV coating is a cured glossy layer that makes color pop and adds scratch resistance, though it can glare under bright light. Lamination is a thin plastic film that gives strong scuff protection. Soft touch lamination feels velvety and looks premium, and scuff resistant matte lamination hides wear well.
• Protect edges and corners. Rounded corners reduce dog ears in wallets and bags. If your piece will be carried often, rounded corners are worth it.
• Design for fewer visible scuffs. Very dark solid backgrounds can show rub marks. A subtle texture or mid tone background often looks cleaner after travel.
• Pick coatings by use case. If people need to write an appointment or a note, keep at least one writable area uncoated or use a matte or satin finish. If it will get tossed in bags or move through mail bins, choose UV coating or lamination.
• Tie to digital without tracking links. Print a short, memorable URL that you control, and use the same plain URL in a QR code. Keep clear space around the code and good contrast so any phone scans it easily. Print the URL under the code so people can type it if they prefer.
• Do a pocket test. Ask your printer for sample stocks and finishes. Carry a few in a pocket with keys for a day, then check scuffs, bent corners and readability.

Case example

For a multi location retailer, I used heavy cover stock, scuff resistant matte lamination and rounded corners on rack cards. The cards stayed clean on counters and in bags, and the plain URL plus QR made the path to the website simple.

How I can help

I can plan paper, finishes, and clean QR and URL treatments through Content & Media > Print Design and Content & Media > Logo & Branding, and tie them into your calendar and offers with Marketing > Plans.