Did you know that the average individual uses about 680 pounds of paper per year? Since this can quickly become wasteful, it is important that you use the right kind of paper for both personal and business applications.
Clay-coated drawing paper is an excellent option for those looking to increase the efficiency of the paper used for many applications. What is coated drawing paper? What can you use it for?
Read on to answer these questions so that you can reduce waste and improve your project’s results.
What Is Clay Coated Drawing Paper?
The main distinction between coated and uncoated paper is the way that it is manufactured.
After the regular paper is created, a layer of clay coating may or may not be applied. If it is sent out as-is, it’s uncoated and porous. Those that are coated then they are sealed.
The coating serves as a sealant to eliminate the porous nature of the paper. This restricts the amount of ink that the surface absorbed. Therefore, the ink- be it from your hand or from a printer- sits on top of the paper in a crisp and precise manner.
The point of coated drawing paper is to create a bolder look. It also allows for small, precise dots and lines that you can trace in plotter applications.
Papers are categorized according to how glossy they are. The glossier the paper, the less ink the paper will absorb. All coated papers have a smooth and glossy finish regardless of the texture of the underlying paper sheet.
Clay Coated Drawing Paper Applications
When choosing between coated and uncoated paper, there are a few factors that you need to consider.
The first is functionality.
Coated papers offer higher levels of ink holdout and will be best for heavy solid colors. They also hold metallic inks, UV coatings, and foil stamping well. Note, however, that coated paper is not the best option if you plan to draw with a pen.
The second factor to consider is aesthetics. The coated paper offers a sharper contrast between the printed picture and the white space that surrounds it. It is ideal for images with fine detail because of the contrast between various colors.
The final factor that you need to consider is your individual applications. Let’s take a look at some popular clay-coated drawing paper uses.
1. Magazine Pages and Flyers
If you are looking to increase your print marketing campaign’s effectiveness, a coated paper can help.
Most professionally made magazines and graphic novels are on coated paper for this reason. The colors stand out boldly and are unlikely to fade over time.
The glossy finish is also a fantastic way to make your marketing materials stand out from the competition. Your flyers will be more noticeable and aesthetically appealing than others. This is a great way to grab and hold the attention of prospective clients.
2. Commercial and Industrial Applications
There are several commercial and industrial clay-coated paper applications.
The food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries tend to use it for packaging because it is waterproof. It is also resistant to heat damage that may come with some food-related applications.
Many industrial applications (such as building large machinery or commercial items for sale) require moisture-proof paper. The factory sticks this paper into the surface of building materials to create waterproof labels.
3. Paper Signs and Vinyl Sign Plotter Paper
If you want to make a paper sign (and mount it on cardstock), clay-coated paper is definitely the best choice. This is true for all of the same reasons as its magazine applications. It lasts for a long time, can withstand various weather conditions, and has an aesthetically pleasing contrast.
Arguably, the most important application of the paper coating is for plotter paper. Paper signs are great for many personal and business uses, but they cannot measure up to vinyl signs.
Vinyl is more durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing than paper can be. You can also print a wide variety of colors on vinyl and create cutouts within it. Assuming that you use the right type of ink, it will stick for a lifetime.
To create vinyl signs, you must plot out the design on paper. You can then use a plotter machine with a Sure-cut or Econo-cut blade to cut through the vinyl.
All you need to do is map out the locations where the blade should cut with the plotter.You can then program the machine to cut precisely through the paper and the vinyl underneath.
Plotters also paint on vinyl, which is much cheaper than buying and cutting various vinyl colors. Regardless of what you are looking to do, it would be best first to plot out your vinyl sign for precision and accuracy.
Clay-coated paper is ideal for these applications because of the clean lines you can print on it. You can create fine dots and lines that the plotter blade or pen can run over. This ensures that your cuts are smooth, accurate, and finely detailed.
Get Cracking
Now that you know the basics of clay-coated drawing paper, it is time to get started.Contact us with any remaining questions you have about the medium.
Our experts are happy to talk about whether coated plotter paper is right for your applications. We will also give you an estimate for the amount of clay-coated paper you need for your project. Since we are committed to ensuring that your printing needs are met, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Simple Solutions International offers a full selection of plotter blades and plotter pens as well as a variety of useful tools for use in plotting and sign making, such as plotter adapters, masking film, spray mask, and other sign making tools and accessories.