Coated & Uncoated
Stock Finishes
___Coated
___Uncoated
Coated stock has a surface sealant, like varnish on wood. This is made up of various liquids and clay along with other substances. Coating allows ink to sit up on top of the surface of the paper without seeping into the paper fibers. Halftone dots and type are therefore very crisp and controllable on press. And, in most cases, coated stock costs more than uncoated stock.
Uncoated paper soaks up ink like a sponge. Ink enters the paper fibers and spreads, causing halftone dots to grow. This is especially noticeable on newsprint, which is a type of uncoated stock. Halftone screens printed on newsprint are coarse, and the halftone dots are visible. Photo quality suffers, but for a throw-away piece like a newspaper or an inexpensive paperback novel, this is acceptable.
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