Uncoated Paper: Natural, versatile, eco-friendly

Uncoated paper is a versatile and popular type of paper characterized by its natural feel and appearance. Unlike coated papers, the surface is not additionally coated or refined. This preserves the characteristic, slightly rough texture that gives uncoated papers their authentic character.

Newspapers
© Photo by Steve Buissinne on Pixabay
02.12.2024
Source:  Various sources on the internet

Properties and advantages of uncoated paper

The open and porous nature of uncoated papers offers several advantages:

  • Excellent writability and printability, as the ink is well absorbed
  • High opacity, allowing for double-sided printing
  • Natural, matte appearance for an elegant look
  • Pleasant, authentic feel
  • Good foldability and variety of grammages for a wide range of applications

Due to the rough surface, the printing inks on uncoated paper appear slightly more matte and less brilliant than on coated papers. Nevertheless, very good printing results can be achieved, convincing with their natural look and tactile appeal.

Business card
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Typical applications for uncoated papers

Due to their special properties and natural appearance, uncoated papers are often used for high-quality print products and publications where authenticity and tactile quality are valued:

  • Stationery, business cards, and business documents
  • Invitations, greeting cards, and flyers
  • Brochures, folders, catalogs, and leaflets
  • Books, notebooks, and writing pads
  • Magazines and periodicals
  • Packaging and labels


Especially with natural papers, recycled papers, and paper specialties such as handmade paper or Japanese paper, additional coating is deliberately omitted to preserve the pure, unadulterated character of the paper.

Writing paper
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Environmental friendliness of uncoated paper

Uncoated papers often perform better in terms of sustainability than their coated counterparts. Since no additional surface treatment is applied, fewer chemicals and resources are required in production. In addition, uncoated papers are generally easier to recycle because no coating materials need to be removed.

Recycled papers, in particular, are almost always uncoated and impress with a low ecological footprint. Using waste paper as a raw material saves wood, energy, and water. Uncoated recycled papers are thus an environmentally friendly choice for many printing applications.

Conclusion: Uncoated paper - all-rounder with natural charm

Uncoated paper is a true all-rounder with natural charm. The rough, open-pored surface lends print products a special look and feel, underscoring high-quality content. Thanks to good writability and printability, as well as the variety of grammages, uncoated paper is versatile - from business cards to brochures to packaging.

Last but not least, uncoated papers also score in terms of environmental friendliness. Recycled papers, in particular, are offered almost exclusively uncoated and are especially resource-saving thanks to the use of waste paper. Companies and consumers who value sustainability and a look that is as natural as possible are well advised to choose uncoated papers.