Common paper stocks
Most manufacturers work with inventory-specific stocks, often referred to as "house stocks". Purchasing in large volumes promises the lowest available price, as well as guaranteed availability. NPC stocks a variety of commonly used uncoated text stocks and uncoated or coated cover stocks.
Text Stocks
White Offset - Premium, uncoated, fine-quality printing paper manufactured in weights suitable for the text of books and forms. These are more durable stocks than newsprint or hi-brite. This offset, in various paper weights, is typically used for published books and manuals. The shelf life for this grade is six months or more. Although a white offset grade paper is typically more expensive, it provides a long-lasting, high-quality solution.
Common Stocks for NPC projects: 40#, 50# and 60# Offset, Alternative and Equal Offsets
Hi-Brite - The advantage of hi-brite paper is that it is whiter than newsprint. Because of this, colors are brighter and pictures are clearer. This is perfect for a customer who wants to show the tiniest details in print. The shelf life is approximately three months. Hi-brite is a medium-grade paper and the print quality is a little better than newsprint, but not quite as good as the white offset.
Common Stock for NPC projects: 35# Hi-brite
Standard Newsprint - This is a grade of paper made primarily from mechanical pulp rather than chemical pulp, resulting in a shorter life span. This type of paper is used primarily for materials of a non-permanent nature: newsletters, manuals, directories, newspapers, etc. The shelf life is less than the other grades of paper. Newsprint is typically a less expensive type of paper, and the print quality and shelf life are not quite as good as the white offset or hi-brite.
Common Stock for NPC projects: 30# Newsprint
Cover Stocks
White Vellum Cover - This paper has an uncoated finish. It is fairly smooth, but not as smooth as a coated cover stock and will absorb more ink. However, it retains its bulk and has the highest opacity. This cover grade is good for one-color print without halftones or graphics.
Common Stocks for NPC projects: 50# White Vellum Cover and 65# White Vellum Cover
Litho and Matte Coated Covers - These stocks have an outer layer of coating applied to one or both sides. Coated paper is available in a variety of finishes, such as gloss (Litho) and flat (Matte).
Common Stock for NPC projects: 80# Litho Coated Cover
There are several advantages to coated covers. They tend to have good ink holdout and minimal dot gain, which is especially important for recreating sharp and bright images, black and white halftones, and four-color process images. The smooth surface of coated papers also helps deflect the light evenly. It is recommended that all coated covers be varnished.
X Pt Cover Coated 1 Side - This cover stock is defined by thickness rather than weight like the others. For example, in 10 Pt Coated 1 Side paper, "10 Pt" means that the paper is .010 of an inch think (1 point = .001). It is gloss coated on one side only. No opacity is noted for this paper because it is so opaque (almost no light comes through the paper). It is also available "Coated 2 Sides".
Common Stocks for NPC projects: 8 Pt, 10 Pt, and 12 Pt Coated 1 Side and 2 Sides
Form Stock
White Offset - Premium, uncoated, fine-quality printing paper. The shelf life for this stock is six months or more. It provides a long lasting, high-quality solution.
Common Stocks for NPC projects: 40#, 50# and 60# Offset
White Index - It has two outstanding characteristics-stiffness and receptivity to ink. Index is commonly used whenever an inexpensive stiff stock is required. It is available in smooth and vellum finish.
Common Stocks for NPC projects: 110# Index
