--- type: hub title: "Printing Paper Stock Guide: 60+ Substrates Explained" description: "A printing paper stock guide to 60+ substrates: text and cover weights, kraft, cotton, wood and recycled stocks, and which one fits your job and budget." resource: https://www.4over4.com/guides/stock-substrate-selection tags: ["hub"] generated: by: "process:4over4-mapp-build" at: 2026-10-20T21:15:07.589Z timestamp: 2026-10-20T21:15:07.589Z sources: - resource: https://www.4over4.com/guides/stock-substrate-selection title: "Printing Paper Stock Guide: 60+ Substrates Explained" status: stable --- # Printing Paper Stock Guide: 60+ Substrates Explained A printing paper stock guide to 60+ substrates: text and cover weights, kraft, cotton, wood and recycled stocks, and which one fits your job and budget. - [Apparel Merch Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/apparel-merch-guides) - [Banner Sign Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/banner-sign-guides) - [Brochure Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/brochure-guides) - [Business Applications](https://www.4over4.com/guides/business-applications) - [Calendar Notebook Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/calendar-notebook-guides) - [Color Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/color-guides) - [Comparisons Reviews](https://www.4over4.com/guides/comparisons-reviews) - [Design Process Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/design-process-guides) - [Design Software Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/design-software-guides) - [Dimensions Templates](https://www.4over4.com/guides/dimensions-templates) - [File Prep Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/file-prep-guides) - [Finishes Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/finishes-guides) - [Finishes Techniques](https://www.4over4.com/guides/finishes-techniques) - [Flyer Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/flyer-guides) - [Invitation Card Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/invitation-card-guides) - [Layout File Setup](https://www.4over4.com/guides/layout-file-setup) - [Logo Branding Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/logo-branding-guides) - [Marketing Strategy Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/marketing-strategy-guides) - [Packaging Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/packaging-guides) - [Paper Stock Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/paper-stock-guides) - [Postcard Mailer Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/postcard-mailer-guides) - [Pricing Cost](https://www.4over4.com/guides/pricing-cost) - [Printing Basics Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/printing-basics-guides) - [Product Explainers](https://www.4over4.com/guides/product-explainers) - [Rules Regulations](https://www.4over4.com/guides/rules-regulations) - [Shipping Postage](https://www.4over4.com/guides/shipping-postage) - [Step By Step Creation](https://www.4over4.com/guides/step-by-step-creation) - [Sticker Label Guides](https://www.4over4.com/guides/sticker-label-guides) - [Stock Substrate Selection](https://www.4over4.com/guides/stock-substrate-selection) - [Wording Messaging](https://www.4over4.com/guides/wording-messaging) ## Latest Stock Substrate Selection Guides ### [Bamboo and Eco-Friendly Business Cards, Options Explained](https://www.4over4.com/guide/bamboo-business-cards-eco-friendly-options-explained) Bamboo business cards compared with the eco stocks we print: 18pt recycled kraft from $24.75 for 100, 45pt cotton, and 65pt beech or cherry wood cards. ### [Choosing the Right Booklet Paper, Finish, and Binding](https://www.4over4.com/guide/choosing-the-right-booklet-paper-finish-and-binding) Pick the right booklet paper, finish and binding, since page count decides the binding first, then print saddle stitch or perfect bound booklets. ### [How to Get Free Printing and Paper Samples From 4OVER4](https://www.4over4.com/guide/how-can-i-get-free-printing-samples) Request free paper and printing samples from the 4OVER4.COM free samples page, with what is included, who qualifies, how fast they ship and each step. ### [How to Choose Outdoor Sticker Materials That Survive Sun and Rain](https://www.4over4.com/guide/how-to-choose-outdoor-sticker-materials-that-survive-sun-and-rain) Learn which outdoor sticker and decal materials and laminates resist UV, water, heat and abrasion, then order outdoor stickers that hold their color. ### [How to Use Business Card Samples to Pick the Perfect Card](https://www.4over4.com/guide/how-to-use-business-card-samples-to-pick-the-perfect-card) How to use business card samples to judge stock weight, texture and finish before you print a full run, then order premium business cards from 4OVER4. ### [Letterhead Paper Stocks Weights and Finishes Explained](https://www.4over4.com/guide/letterhead-paper-explained) Letterhead paper explained by weight, texture and finish, from light 24 lb writing bond up, so your branded letterhead sets the impression before a word. ## All Stock Substrate Selection Guides ### [Matte Sticker Paper, and When It Beats Gloss](https://www.4over4.com/guide/matte-sticker-paper-explained) What matte sticker paper is and when to choose matte over gloss for durability and a premium look. Order matte stickers and labels. ### [Photographic Paper Types and the Best Use for Each](https://www.4over4.com/guide/photographic-paper-types-and-best-uses) Glossy, matte and luster photographic paper compared, with the best use and weight for each, so you can print photos, posters and fine art at 4OVER4. ### [How to Choose Postcard Paper and Cardstock for Print and Mail](https://www.4over4.com/guide/postcard-paper-and-cardstock-guide) How much a postcard weighs by size and stock, which cardstock to pick from 14 pt to 100 lb cover, and the USPS thickness rules for the postcard rate. ### [Sticker Materials Explained From Vinyl To Holographic](https://www.4over4.com/guide/sticker-materials-explained-types-and-how-to-choose) Compare sticker materials including vinyl, paper, clear, holographic, and waterproof, and learn which to choose for your use, then order custom stickers. ### [Stone Paper Explained From Waterproof Pages to Eco Stocks](https://www.4over4.com/guide/stone-paper-explained) What stone paper is, a waterproof, tree-free and durable sheet made from ground stone, with its print pros and cons and eco and recycled stocks at 4OVER4. ### [Types of Packaging Materials Compared by Cost, Durability, and Eco Impact](https://www.4over4.com/guide/types-of-packaging-materials) Compare packaging materials by cost, durability and eco impact, from paperboard to corrugated and kraft, then order custom boxes and labels at 4OVER4. ### [What Are Printing Substrates and the Types That Fit Each Job](https://www.4over4.com/guide/what-are-printing-substrates-types-explained) Understand printing substrates, from paper and plastic to vinyl, metal and fabric, how each decides what a piece survives, and how to pick the right one. ### [The Best Poster Materials and How to Choose the Right Stock](https://www.4over4.com/guide/which-poster-material-should-you-use-a-practical-breakdown) A material by material poster breakdown across gloss, matte, satin, canvas, rigid board and recycled stocks, so you match the material to the room and job. ### [What Type of Paper Are Brochures Printed On?](https://www.4over4.com/guide/best-paper-types-for-brochure-printing) The four brochure stocks at 4OVER4.COM compared, 100 lb gloss and silk text, 70 lb uncoated and 14pt cover, with the fold, finish and use that suits each. ### [Matte vs Glossy Brochures and Which Finish Wins in 2026](https://www.4over4.com/guide/matte-vs-glossy-brochure-which-is-better-for-print) Gloss brochures make photos pop and resist moisture while matte reads cleaner and hides fingerprints, so pick by content, then 80lb text or 100lb cover. ### [Matte vs Glossy Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/guide/matte-vs-glossy-business-cards-which-is-better) Matte or glossy business cards, compared on finish, durability, writability and cost, so you pick the look that fits your brand from 60+ stocks. ### [How to Choose the Right Cardstock for Your Business Card](https://www.4over4.com/guide/the-right-cardstock-for-your-business-card-printing-project) Business cards print on 14pt to 16pt coated cardstock, so compare the five paper types plus weight, finish and texture across 60+ stocks before you order. ## Where to Start The guides here compare the substrates behind a print job, from the text weights a brochure folds on to the thick stocks behind a business card, so you can match paper to budget. Good first reads: [What Type of Paper Are Brochures Printed On?](https://www.4over4.com/guide/best-paper-types-for-brochure-printing), [Matte vs Glossy Brochures and Which Finish Wins in 2026](https://www.4over4.com/guide/matte-vs-glossy-brochure-which-is-better-for-print) and [Matte vs Glossy Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/guide/matte-vs-glossy-business-cards-which-is-better). ## Kraft, Wood and Recycled Card Stocks [Kraft Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/product/kraft-business-cards) print on 18pt kraft uncoated cover made from 100% post-consumer waste, with CMYK plus white ink as an option, from 100 for $24.75. [Ultra Thick Kraft Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/product/ultra-thick-kraft-business-cards) step up to 32pt, 48pt, 64pt or 80pt kraft, also 100% post-consumer waste, from 50 for $46.72. [Wood Business Cards](https://www.4over4.com/product/wood-business-cards) use 65-point beech or cherry wood, from 250 for $470.11 with a 15 business day turnaround. Standard stocks with recycled content include 15pt cover gloss 1 side and 14pt uncoated cover, both at 30% post-consumer waste, and 13pt uncoated cover at 100%. 4OVER4.COM is an FSC certified printer, #C013635, and prints with low-VOC soy inks. ## From Reading to Printing Each product in [all printing categories](https://www.4over4.com/shop-by) lists its own paper choices with live prices, so you can check which of these stocks it offers before you order.