# Paper Finishes: Gloss, Satin, Matte & Uncoated

Which stock suits your design.

Printdash artwork guideline. Illustrated version: https://printdash.io/artwork-guidelines#stock-finishes

| Finish | What it is | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gloss | A coated stock with a reflective, shiny surface. Colours are at their punchiest. | Full-bleed colour backgrounds, photography, anything that should look vivid. |
| Satin (silk) | Coated with a low sheen. Keeps most of Gloss's colour depth without the reflection, so it reads well under lights. | Photos and detailed design work - the all-rounder. |
| Matte | Technically coated, but with almost no sheen. Solid colours print evenly and rich. | Solid colour designs that want a flat, understated look. |
| Uncoated | No coating at all - a natural paper feel you can write on. Ink soaks in, so colours are softer, and the toner keeps a slight sheen against the flat surface. | Minimal, type-led designs with little or no background colour; letterheads and notepads. |

- Avoid **full-colour backgrounds on Uncoated** stock: large solids can look uneven and the toner's sheen shows against the flat surface. Choose Matte or Satin instead.
- Photos look sharpest on Satin or Gloss; Uncoated softens fine detail.
- Colours print slightly darker on Uncoated and slightly brighter on Gloss than they look on screen.