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Coated (art) paper — what is it? Weights, gloss vs matte

Published: 10 sierpnia 2026
Coated paper has a smooth surface on which colours look more vivid than on uncoated stock. The standard for flyers, posters and business cards.

Coated paper (art paper) is covered with a thin layer of pigment coating — historically containing chalk. The coating smooths the surface so ink does not soak in deeply: colours are more vivid, edges sharper, and photos look better than on uncoated stock.

Gloss or matte?

Gloss boosts colour saturation — ideal for photos and rich graphics. Matte is elegant, glare-free and easier to write on — a frequent choice for business cards and catalogues. Both cost the same.

Coated paper weights

WeightTypical useCharacter
130 g/m²ulotki, plakaty wnętrzowecienki, elastyczny
170 g/m²ulotki premium, plakatysztywniejszy, lepiej leży
250 g/m²okładki, karty menupółkarton
300–350 g/m²wizytówki, pocztówki, zaproszeniasztywny karton

What do we print on coated paper?

At BARWA we print flyers (130–170 gsm), posters (170 gsm) and business cards (350 gsm with gloss, matte or soft-touch lamination) on coated paper.

Frequently asked questions