Preparing a large-format poster
Resolution, viewing distance, size: the rules are not the ones you use for A4.
Choosing your paper: weight explained
Paper weight is the weight of one square metre. The higher the number, the thicker and stiffer the sheet. It is the choice that changes how a printed piece feels more than anything else — often more than print quality itself.
The quick guide
| Weight | Feel | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 80 gsm | Ordinary copier paper | Photocopies, working documents, dissertations |
| 100–120 gsm | Slightly firmer | Letterheads, tidy reports |
| 135–170 gsm | Flexible but holds its shape | Flyers, leaflets, small posters |
| 250–300 gsm | Stiff, thin-card feel | Business cards, covers, invitations |
| 350 gsm and up | Genuinely rigid | Premium cards, packaging |
Matt or gloss?
Gloss lifts colours and photographs: ideal for a strong visual. It does reflect light, though, and reads less easily when there is a lot of text.
Matt is quieter, does not reflect, and can be written on with a pen. It is usually the better choice for a document meant to be read.
Three common mistakes
- An 80 gsm flyer. It creases in a pocket and feels cheap. From 135 gsm up, the impression changes completely.
- A business card that is too thin. Below 300 gsm the corners curl within days in a wallet.
- Gloss for long text. Under office lighting it quickly becomes tiring to read.
Unsure? Touch it
Drop by the shop: we have samples. Thirty seconds between your fingers beats an hour of hesitating in front of a screen.