Letterhead Paper Stocks Weights and Finishes Explained
The paper your letterhead prints on sets the impression before a word is read. Here is how the stocks, weights, and finishes compare, and how to pick the one that fits your brand.
Letterhead paper is chosen by weight, texture, and finish, and it sets the impression before a word is read. Weights run from light 24 lb writing bond to substantial 100 lb text, usually uncoated so the page takes a pen and feeds through printers. Linen adds formality, foil adds premium, and the standard size is 8.5 by 11 in. 4OVER4.COM prints it and ships from New York.
Start here
Letterhead paper in one paragraph
Letterhead paper is the stock your header prints on, chosen by weight, texture, and finish. Most letterheads use an uncoated stock, from light 24 lb writing bond to heavy 100 lb text, so the page takes a pen and runs through printers. Linen and laid textures signal formality, foil adds a premium accent, and the standard size is 8.5 by 11 in. 4OVER4.COM prints each stock and finish to order.
Why the paper matters more than you think
A letterhead does its job before a single word is read. The moment someone lifts the page, the weight, texture, and finish of the paper have already set an impression, competent or careless, formal or casual, established or new. That impression is the paper, not the ink.
Letterhead paper is the stock your header prints on, chosen for how it feels and how it behaves. Because a letter is often written on, run through an office printer, and filed, the paper has to do more than look good: it has to take a pen, feed cleanly, and hold up in a folder.
This guide breaks down the stocks and weights, the finishes that change the feel, and how to match paper to your brand. If you are ready to order, our letterheads come in a range of stocks and finishes with live pricing.
What is letterhead paper?
Letterhead paper is simply the sheet your letterhead is printed on, described by three things: its weight, its texture, and its finish. Weight is how heavy and substantial the sheet feels. Texture is the surface, from perfectly smooth to a woven linen. Finish is whether it is coated or uncoated, and any specialty treatment on top.
For most letterheads the answer is an uncoated stock, because the page is a working document. Uncoated paper takes handwriting and toner without smearing and feeds through printers reliably, which a glossy coated sheet does not. That practicality is why the default letterhead is an uncoated bond or text weight rather than a shiny card stock.
From that practical base you can climb. All three start from the same size and stock logic.
Paper weights and stocks, explained
Paper weight is the single biggest lever on how a letterhead feels. At the light end, 24 lb writing bond is the classic everyday stock: thin enough to run in volume through any printer, sturdy enough to feel like a real business page. It is the practical default for high-volume correspondence.
Step up to 70 lb uncoated text and the sheet gains a noticeable heft that reads as premium while still taking a pen cleanly. 80 lb linen or laid adds a woven texture on top of that weight, the choice for firms and formal identities. At the top, 100 lb text is the heaviest common letterhead stock, substantial enough to pair with foil accents.
There is no single right weight, only the right match for the job. High-volume mailings favor the lighter bond, while a letter that has to make an impression justifies a heavier text. When it matters, order free paper samples so you can feel the difference before you print.
Letterhead paper size
US letter, 8.5 by 11 in, is the standard letterhead paper size and the one to choose unless you have a reason not to. It folds twice into a #10 envelope, feeds every office printer and copier, and files without special handling. The international equivalent is A4 at 210 by 297 mm, slightly narrower and taller than US letter, so if your letters cross borders set up a separate A4 version rather than scaling the letter artwork, which shifts every margin with it.
Legal, 8.5 by 14 in, is the third size worth knowing. It is the same width as letter with three extra inches of length, which suits contracts, engagement letters, and anything that would otherwise spill onto a second page. Because the header is identical in width, a legal letterhead can reuse the letter file with the footer moved down the sheet.
Whatever the size, the layout matters as much as the stock. Leave the top 1.5 to 2 in clear for the pre-printed logo and address block, and the bottom 0.75 to 1 in clear for the footer rule, phone, and web address, so typed body text never lands on a printed element. If a color band or a logo runs off the edge of the sheet, build the file with 0.125 in of bleed so trimming does not leave a white sliver. Set size, stock, and quantity on letterheads to see live pricing, or order free paper samples first.
Finishes and textures that change the feel
Finish is where a letterhead expresses personality. Uncoated smooth is the workhorse: clean, writable, and neutral, letting your brand and type do the talking. It is the safe, correct choice when the page will be handled and written on.
For more character, linen and laid textures press a subtle woven or lined pattern into the sheet. The effect is tactile and traditional, which is why law firms, financial offices, and formal brands reach for it. The texture reads as heritage and care without saying a word.
At the premium end, a foil accent adds a metallic shine to a logo or rule, turning a functional page into a statement. Foil needs its own setup layer in the file, which our guide on setting up files for foil walks through.
Choosing the right stock for your brand
Start from what the letterhead has to do and who receives it. A busy practice sending many letters a week is best served by a lighter uncoated bond that is economical and printer-friendly. A firm whose letters carry weight, literally and figuratively, is better matched to a heavier text or a linen finish that signals seriousness.
Consider the whole system too. A letterhead rarely travels alone: it pairs with envelopes, business cards, and often a folder. Choosing a consistent stock family across those pieces makes the brand feel intentional. A law firm letterhead on linen, for instance, pairs naturally with matching cards.
If you are unsure, samples settle it fast. Order free paper samples, hold each weight and texture, and imagine your logo on it. The right stock is usually obvious the moment it is in your hand.
Designing and ordering your letterhead
Good letterhead design leaves room to work. Keep the branded elements, logo, name, and contact details, in the header and footer, and leave the body area clean so the letter itself has space. Set the file to CMYK, and add bleed only if a color or logo actually reaches the edge; a plain white margin needs none.
You do not have to build the file from scratch. A free letterhead template gives you a correct 8.5 by 11 in layout to fill in, and the online designer handles it live in your browser. For layout choices, our guide on letterhead design tips covers font, size, and format.
When the design is set, it is just stock, finish, and quantity. Use the live specs and pricing panel below to choose your paper and see the exact options, or order free paper samples first to feel the stock before your run.
Wally weighs the paper before he prints the letter
The stock sets the impression before a word is read
Wally picks paper by the job: light 24 lb writing bond for everyday letters that run through a printer, heavier 70 to 100 lb text when the page needs to feel substantial, and a linen texture or foil accent when the brand calls for formality. He keeps it uncoated so it takes a pen, sets it to 8.5 by 11 in, and 4OVER4 prints it on the exact stock you choose.
Order letterheads →Quick reference
The letterhead spec sheet, at a glance
Every letterhead comes down to a few decisions on size, stock, and finish. Match these and your artwork is ready for the press.
| Setting | Get it to | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8.5 x 11 in (US letter) | Fits standard envelopes, office printers, and filing without special handling. |
| Stock weight | 24 lb bond to 100 lb text | Lighter for everyday printing, heavier for a premium presentation feel. |
| Finish | Uncoated, linen, or foil accent | Uncoated takes a pen, linen adds texture, foil signals premium. |
| Color mode | CMYK | Letterheads print with process inks, so convert from RGB before export. |
| Bleed | 0.125 in if art reaches the edge | Needed only when a color or logo runs to the trim, not for a plain white margin. |
| File format | Flattened PDF | A single press-ready PDF keeps type and logos crisp and predictable. |
Step by step
Choose and order letterhead in 6 steps
- Pick the weight that fits the use Choose lighter 24 lb writing bond for high-volume, everyday correspondence, or a heavier 70 to 100 lb text for letters that need to feel substantial.
- Choose a finish that matches your brand Stay uncoated if people write on the page, add a linen or laid texture for formality, or specify a foil accent for a premium identity.
- Set the size to US letter Build the document at 8.5 by 11 in so it stays compatible with envelopes, printers, and filing.
- Design in CMYK with room to write Keep the header and footer branded and the body area clear, set color to CMYK, and add bleed only if art reaches the edge.
- Proof and export a flattened PDF Check the type at 100 percent, then export a press-ready PDF, or start from a free letterhead template.
- Upload and order Send the file in the configurator or run it through our free file check, then choose your stock, finish, and quantity.
Specs and pricing
Letterhead specs and live pricing
Once you have picked a stock and finish, the rest comes down to quantity. Here are the live specs and price-per-unit for letterheads at 4OVER4.COM, straight from the configurator.
| Quantity | Price Per Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $2.00 | $99.95 |
| 100 | $1.05 | $105.44 |
| 200 | 58.2¢ | $116.43 |
| 300 | 43.6¢ | $130.72 |
| 400 | 34.9¢ | $139.49 |
| 500 | 29.4¢ | $147.18 |
| 600 | 25.4¢ | $152.68 |
| 700 | 22.6¢ | $158.17 |
Print it
Order your branded letterheads at 4OVER4
See it in use
Real letterheads, printed in-house
Explore more
Where to go next
By the numbers
Business printing you can count on at 4OVER4
Common Questions
Common questions about letterhead paper
What is letterhead paper?
Letterhead paper is the stock your business letterhead is printed on, and the choice of weight, texture, and finish shapes how the page feels in the hand before anyone reads it. Because a letterhead is often written on, printed through office machines, and kept on file, the paper is usually an uncoated stock that takes a pen and runs cleanly through a printer. Weights range from a light 24 lb writing bond for everyday correspondence up to a substantial 100 lb text for letters meant to impress, with textured options like linen and laid for a more formal, established look.
How do I choose the right letterhead paper?
Match the paper to how the letterhead is used and the impression you want. If it is printed in volume and written on daily, a lighter uncoated 24 lb writing bond is practical and cost-effective. If the letter represents a firm where perception matters, step up to a 70 to 80 lb uncoated text or a linen finish that feels more formal in the hand. For a premium identity, a heavier 100 lb text paired with a foil accent makes a strong impression. Order free samples first so you can feel each weight and texture before committing to a run.
What does letterhead paper cost and how are prices set?
Letterhead price is driven by the paper you choose, the print coverage, and the quantity you order. Heavier stocks and textured or specialty finishes cost more than a standard uncoated bond, and premium touches like foil add to the total, while larger runs lower the unit price.
What sizes, stocks and finishes are available for letterhead paper?
The standard letterhead size is 8.5 by 11 in US letter, which keeps it compatible with envelopes, printers, and filing. Stocks run from 24 lb writing bond through 70 and 80 lb uncoated text up to 100 lb text for a heavier feel. Finishes include smooth uncoated for writability, linen and laid textures for formality, and specialty options like foil accents and full-color CMYK printing. Each letterhead product page lists the exact stocks and finishes with live pricing so you can see how each choice affects the cost.
What size is letterhead paper?
Standard letterhead paper is 8.5 by 11 in US letter. That size folds twice into a #10 envelope, feeds any office printer or copier, and files without special handling. Outside the US the equivalent is A4 at 210 by 297 mm, slightly narrower and taller, so international letters need their own file rather than a scaled letter file. Legal at 8.5 by 14 in is the same width as letter with three extra inches of length, used for contracts and longer letters. Whichever size you print, keep the top 1.5 to 2 in and the bottom 0.75 to 1 in clear of body text so your pre-printed header and footer are not overrun, and allow 0.125 in of bleed if any color runs off the edge.
What weight paper is used for letterhead?
Most letterhead is printed on 24 lb writing bond, the everyday weight that runs in volume through office printers and copiers and still feels like a real business page. Step up to 70 lb uncoated text for a sheet with noticeable heft that still takes a pen cleanly, or 80 lb linen or laid when the texture has to read as formal, which is why law firms and financial offices choose it. 100 lb text is the heaviest common letterhead stock and the one to pair with a foil accent. High-volume mailings favor the lighter bond, a letter that has to make an impression justifies the heavier text, so order free samples first and feel each weight before committing to a run.
How long does letterhead take to print and ship?
Turnaround depends on the stock, finish, and quantity you choose, and the configurator shows the production time for your exact build before you order. Because 4OVER4 prints and ships from New York, many letterhead orders move quickly, and rush options are available on qualifying products. Configure the order to see the estimated production and shipping window alongside the live price.
Should letterhead be coated or uncoated?
Uncoated is the usual choice for letterhead because a letter is often written on and passed through office printers, and a coated, glossy surface resists ink from a pen and can smear. Uncoated stock takes handwriting and toner cleanly, which is exactly what a working document needs. Reserve coated finishes for pieces meant to be looked at rather than written on. If you want a step up from plain uncoated without losing writability, a linen or laid texture adds a formal feel while still accepting a pen.
Get Started
Ready to print letterhead that feels the part?
Configure your letterhead at 4OVER4.COM, choose the stock, weight, and finish that fit your brand, and print a page that impresses before it is read. Watch your price update live.
Legal Disclaimer
Gold Standard guarantees apply to all standard orders placed through 4over4.com. Price match requires verifiable proof of a competitor's published price for an equivalent product with matching specifications and turnaround time. Satisfaction guarantee covers manufacturing defects and print quality issues. Contact support with order number and documentation. On-time delivery rate based on tracked orders 1999 to 2026. Individual results may vary based on shipping carrier performance.
