Specialist papers plays a major role in how print and packaging are experienced. The texture, weight, finish and rigidity of a stock all influence how refined, tactile or substantial the final piece feels. At Dayfold, material selection is approached as part of the wider production process, helping ensure the paper supports the design, print method and finishing techniques being used rather than simply acting as a surface to print onto.
Uncoated Papers
Often chosen for Luxury Brochures, Luxury Book Printing and stationery where softness and tactility are important. Uncoated stocks create a more natural surface feel and allow embossing, debossing and textured finishes to feel more pronounced once handled.
Coated Papers
Used where sharper image reproduction, stronger contrast and cleaner colour consistency are required. Common across Premium Catalogues, Presentation Materials and packaging projects where photography and fine detail play a larger role in the design.
Textured & Embossed Stocks
Designed to introduce additional depth and character directly through the material itself. These papers create a more tactile interaction before finishing techniques have even been applied.
Coloured & Dyed Stocks
Used to create stronger visual identity without relying entirely on print. Darker papers, coloured cores and dyed materials can completely change how foil, white ink and embossing interact across the final piece.
Specialist & Alternative Substrates
Some projects benefit from more unconventional materials, including substrates produced from stone, recycled plastics and other specialist fibres. These materials can introduce unique surface textures, durability characteristics and visual qualities depending on the application and intended experience of the final piece.
Specialist Boards & Packaging Materials
Selected for Premium Folding Boxes, Premium Rigid Boxes and Bespoke Printed Bags where durability, structure and finishing compatibility all need to perform together.
Different papers respond differently throughout both print production and finishing, which is why material selection is considered carefully on every project.
Premium Litho Printing and HP Indigo Digital Printing both behave differently depending on the stock being used, particularly across textured surfaces, darker substrates and heavier weight materials. White inks, metallic inks and detailed finishing techniques also perform differently depending on the absorbency, coating and surface texture of the paper itself.
Selecting the right stock is often what allows print and finishing to work together successfully rather than compete for attention.
Material choice also influences how finishing techniques perform across the final piece.
Foiling, embossing, debossing and specialist coatings all interact differently depending on the surface, texture and density of the stock being used. Selecting the right combination helps create greater depth, contrast and refinement throughout the finished result.
Every paper is chosen to support how the piece should feel once it’s printed, handled and experienced.
