Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM
Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
What is paper opacity?
Answer
Opacity measures how well a sheet blocks light and hides what is printed on the other side. High-opacity paper keeps double-sided pieces clean and readable, while thin, low-opacity stock lets the back image ghost through.
- Why it matters: for anything printed on both sides, opacity prevents distracting show-through.
- What raises it: heavier weight, fillers, and brightness treatments all increase opacity.
- Trade-off: very thin, economical stocks show more of the reverse side, so plan double-sided layouts with opacity in mind.
Ready to order?
Get your standard flyers printed at 4OVER4
