The Best Print Settings and Practices when Printing with Gloss Cardstock
Want your prints to make a bold statement? Glossy cardstock can elevate your design game—but only if you print it the right way. Here’s how to get the best results with the best print settings and practices!
When it comes to creating eye-catching printed materials, gloss coated paper is a top contender. From business cards to flyers to brochures, the high-gloss finish of this paper makes colors pop and adds a professional touch to any print project. However, to achieve the best results, you need to use the right print settings and techniques to ensure your prints shine. Let’s break down the best practices for printing with glossy paper.
Why Choose Gloss?
Before we dive into the technicalities, let’s take a quick look at why gloss coated paper is such a popular choice. Gloss paper features a shiny, smooth finish that enhances color vibrancy and adds an extra layer of depth to your design. This type of paper is perfect for projects where color and image quality matter—think marketing materials, premium business cards, or event invitations. However, to truly get the best results, you need to understand how to work with it properly.
1. Set Your Printer to Gloss Paper Mode
The first step to achieving high-quality prints on glossy cardstock is adjusting your printer settings:
- Paper Type Setting: Select "Gloss Paper" or "Photo Paper" mode on your printer. This will optimize the ink flow and printing technique for glossy finishes. If your printer doesn’t offer these settings, choose “Coated Paper” for the best results.
- Paper Weight: Since gloss cardstock is often heavier than standard printer paper, ensure you’ve selected the correct weight in your printer settings. If you're working with thicker options like Sterling Premium Digital Paper, make sure your printer can handle it.
- Print Quality: Always select the highest print quality available, typically marked as "Best" or "High." This ensures that the ink is applied precisely and that colors appear vibrant and sharp.
2. Optimizing Color Settings for Gloss Paper
To make the most out of your glossy prints, accurate color settings are essential:
- Use CMYK Mode: When printing on glossy cardstock, ensure your design is in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode. This is the color mode used for print projects, unlike RGB, which is optimized for screens. CMYK will help ensure that your colors appear as vibrant on paper as they do on your screen.
- Check Color Profiles: Make sure you’re using the correct ICC (International Color Consortium) color profile for glossy paper. This helps the printer accurately reproduce the colors of your design, especially when working with glossy finishes like Blazer Digital Paper or Sterling Paper.
- Printer Calibration: Keep your printer calibrated to maintain consistent color quality. You can either calibrate your printer manually or use a color calibration tool to ensure that the printed colors match your design.
3. Prepare Your Design for Glossy Paper
Great designs start with great preparation. Here are a few design tips to ensure your project shines:
- Image Resolution: Always use high-resolution images (300 DPI or higher) when printing on glossy cardstock. Since glossy paper highlights every detail, low-resolution images may appear pixelated or blurry. For sharp, crisp images, ensure your photos and graphics are print-ready.
- Typography: When using glossy paper, you’ll want your text to be crisp and clear. Stick to strong, well-defined fonts, especially for small text. Glossy paper can enhance sharp typography, but fonts that are too thin or intricate might not reproduce as well.
- Bleed and Margins: If your design includes full-bleed elements (images that go to the edge of the paper), be sure to include bleed in your file setup. A typical bleed area is about 0.125 inches, ensuring that your design extends past the trim line and prevents unwanted white borders once the paper is cut.
4. Proper Paper Handling
Glossy paper requires extra care to avoid issues like smudging, curling, or ink smearing:
- Let the Prints Dry: Glossy paper takes longer to dry than regular paper. After printing, let the sheets sit for a few minutes to ensure the ink fully dries before handling or stacking the prints. Otherwise, you risk smudging or transferring the ink.
- Storage and Handling: Keep your glossy prints in a cool, dry place before and after printing. High humidity or extreme temperatures can cause the paper to warp or curl. Store the paper flat, away from direct sunlight, to prevent any damage to the glossy finish.
- Avoid Fingerprints: Glossy paper tends to attract fingerprints. Handle the paper by the edges or wear gloves to keep your prints clean. Any smudges on the surface can detract from the shiny, professional look you’re aiming for.
5. Choose the Right Glossy Paper for Your Project
- Not all glossy papers are created equal. Choosing the right paper for your print project is key to achieving the desired result:
- Sterling Premium Digital Paper: This premium paper is perfect for high-end marketing materials, business cards, or event invitations. It’s designed for digital printing, ensuring crisp, vibrant results every time.
- Blazer Digital Paper: If you want a high-shine finish that makes your colors pop, Blazer Digital Paper is a fantastic choice. It’s perfect for vibrant, eye-catching designs and offers excellent print quality.
Wrapping It Up: Print Like a Pro with Glossy Paper
Achieving stunning results with glossy cardstock requires attention to detail. By adjusting your printer settings, optimizing your color profiles, and using the right glossy paper, you’ll ensure your prints turn out vibrant and professional every time. Whether you’re working with Sterling Premium Digital Paper or Blazer Digital Paper following these best practices will help you take full advantage of the paper’s glossy finish.
At Church Paper, we offer a wide range of premium glossy paper options to help you get the best results for your printing needs. From Sterling Premium Digital Paper to Blazer Digital Paper, our selection of high-quality paper ensures your designs will stand out with every print.
Make your prints shine with glossy cardstock—and follow these tips to ensure your next project is a professional success!