Gloss, Silk or Uncoated Paper: What's the Difference?

Choosing the right paper can make a noticeable difference to the finished appearance of your printing. Three of the most common options are gloss, silk and uncoated paper, but if you don't regularly order printing it isn't always obvious which one to choose.

Each has a different surface and appearance, making it better suited to certain types of artwork and uses. In this guide, we explain the differences between gloss, silk and uncoated paper and help you decide which finish is most suitable for your printing.

Quick answer: Choose gloss for a shiny finish and vibrant images, silk for a smooth finish with less shine, or uncoated for a natural-looking smooth surface that is particularly suitable when the finished print may need to be written on.

What Is the Difference Between Gloss, Silk and Uncoated Paper?

The main difference is the surface of the paper.

Gloss and silk papers are coated. A coating is applied during manufacture to create a smoother surface and change the way the finished paper reflects light.

Gloss paper has the most noticeable shine. Silk paper is also smooth but has a softer, lower-sheen appearance. Uncoated paper does not have this surface coating, giving it a more natural appearance and making it easier to write on.

Uncoated does not necessarily mean rough. The uncoated paper we use at Short Run Print has a smooth surface, so it can still produce clean, professional-looking print while retaining the practical advantages of an uncoated sheet.

Gloss Paper

Gloss paper has a smooth, shiny coated surface. Of the three finishes, it reflects the most light and can give photographs, illustrations and strong colours a bright, punchy appearance.

This makes gloss a popular choice for promotional printing where the artwork contains plenty of colour or photography and you want the finished print to have a noticeable sheen.

Because the surface is coated, gloss paper feels very smooth to the touch. The reflective finish can also make darker colours and photographs appear particularly striking.

The main consideration is that gloss is not normally the best choice if people will need to write on the finished item. Many everyday pens do not write as easily on a glossy coated surface as they do on uncoated paper.

When Should I Choose Gloss Paper?

Gloss is a good option when:

• Your design contains colourful photographs or graphics.
• You want a shiny, eye-catching finish.
• The printed item will mainly be used for advertising or promotion.
• People will not normally need to write on it.

Silk Paper

Silk paper is also coated, but its finish is less reflective than gloss. It has a smooth surface with a subtle sheen rather than an obviously shiny appearance.

For many types of commercial printing, silk provides a useful middle ground. Colours and photographs reproduce well, while the lower level of reflection can make areas of text comfortable to read.

It is a particularly versatile choice when a design combines photographs, graphics and text and you don't specifically want either the shine of gloss or the more natural appearance of uncoated paper.

Like gloss, silk is a coated paper. Although some pens may mark the surface, it is not the option we would normally recommend when writing on the finished print is an important requirement.

When Should I Choose Silk Paper?

Silk is a good option when:

• You want a smooth, professional-looking finish.
• You would prefer less shine than gloss.
• Your artwork combines photographs, graphics and text.
• You want a versatile paper for general promotional printing.

Uncoated Paper

Uncoated paper does not have the surface coating found on gloss and silk papers. This gives it a different look and feel, with little or no surface shine.

It is sometimes assumed that uncoated paper will feel rough or heavily textured, but that is not necessarily the case. The uncoated stock we use has a smooth surface and is designed to produce clear text, graphics and colour printing.

Without the glossy or silk coating, colours can have a slightly softer and more natural appearance. This can work particularly well with simple designs, illustrations, typography and artwork where a highly reflective finish isn't wanted.

One of the biggest practical advantages of uncoated paper is that it is much more suitable for writing on. If customers need to add a name, appointment time, reference number, note or other handwritten information after the item has been printed, uncoated is usually the best of the three options.

When Should I Choose Uncoated Paper?

Uncoated is a good option when:

• You want a smooth but non-shiny paper finish.
• The finished item may need to be written on.
• You prefer a more natural appearance.
• Your design contains plenty of text or simpler graphics.
• You don't want the reflective surface of a coated paper.

Which Paper Is Best for Writing On?

If writing on the finished print is important, we recommend choosing uncoated paper.

Because gloss and silk papers have a coating on their surface, some pens can struggle to write cleanly on them and the ink may take longer to dry or smudge.

Uncoated paper accepts handwriting much more readily, making it a useful choice for items such as forms, appointment cards, response cards or promotional material where information may be added by hand.

Which Paper Makes Colours Look Best?

There isn't one paper finish that is automatically best for every design. The right choice depends on the appearance you want to achieve.

Gloss paper is a good choice when you want strong colours and photographs to have plenty of visual impact. Its reflective surface can make colourful artwork look particularly lively.

Silk paper still reproduces colourful artwork very well but with a more restrained surface sheen. This makes it a popular all-round choice for designs containing a mixture of text and images.

Uncoated paper gives colours a softer, less reflective appearance. This isn't necessarily better or worse; it simply produces a different style and can complement artwork where a natural or understated finish is preferred.

Which Paper Is Best for Flyers and Leaflets?

Gloss, silk and uncoated paper can all be used successfully for flyers and leaflets. The best choice depends largely on the design and how the finished item will be used.

A colourful takeaway menu, event flyer or promotional leaflet containing plenty of photographs may suit gloss. A business flyer containing a mixture of text, branding and photographs may work well on silk.

If the leaflet has an area for customers to complete, a form to fill in, an appointment to write down or simply needs a less shiny appearance, uncoated may be the better choice.

Does Paper Finish Affect How Thick the Paper Feels?

Paper finish and paper thickness are separate things. Gloss, silk and uncoated describe the surface finish of the paper rather than simply how thick it is.

The paper options available can vary between products, so the best approach is to choose the product you require and then check the paper choices offered on that product page. This also means you can choose the finish based on how you want your printing to look and be used rather than relying on the finish name alone.

A simple way to choose: pick gloss for maximum shine, silk for a smooth lower-sheen all-round finish, or uncoated when you want a natural appearance or need to write on the finished print.

Common Questions About Paper Finishes

Is silk paper shiny?

Silk paper has a slight sheen, but it is considerably less reflective than gloss paper. It has a smooth coated surface and sits between gloss and uncoated paper in terms of shine.

Is uncoated paper rough?

Not necessarily. Uncoated simply means that the paper does not have the surface coating used on gloss or silk papers. The uncoated paper used by Short Run Print has a smooth surface rather than a rough or heavily textured finish.

Can you write on gloss paper?

Some pens may write on gloss paper, but the coated surface can make writing more difficult and some inks may smudge or take longer to dry. If the finished item is designed to be written on regularly, uncoated paper is the better choice.

Can you write on silk paper?

It may be possible with certain pens, but silk is still a coated paper and isn't our first choice when handwriting is an important part of the finished item. Uncoated paper is more suitable for this purpose.

Is gloss or silk better for photographs?

Both can reproduce photographs well. Gloss gives photographs a shinier, more vibrant appearance, while silk produces a smoother and less reflective result. The better choice depends on the look you prefer and the overall design of the printed item.

What is the best all-round paper finish?

Silk is a versatile choice for many types of everyday promotional printing because it combines a smooth coated surface with less reflection than gloss. However, gloss may suit highly visual designs better, while uncoated is preferable when writing on the finished item is important.

Will my design look exactly the same on all three papers?

No. The same artwork can look slightly different depending on the paper surface. Gloss tends to give colours a brighter, shinier appearance, silk has a softer sheen and uncoated produces a more natural, non-reflective result. This is part of the reason why choosing a paper finish is as much about the appearance you want as the artwork itself.