Uncoated and coated are two different finishes of paper that can both be used to make wrapping paper. While they're used in similar ways, there are some important differences in their appearance, texture and finish.
What is Coated Paper?
Coated paper is paper that has been coated with chemical agent to give the paper a smooth finish. The coating can be glossy, semi-gloss or matte finish and can also be used to improve the brightness of the paper. The coating fills in the tiny pits and spaces between paper fibres and provides a smooth, flat finish.
The coating restricts how much the paper absorbs ink and does give a crisper finish for intricate designs that must be sharp. Because of the coating it is more resistant to dirt, moisture and warping.
What is Uncoated Paper?
Uncoated paper does not have a coating and is generally rougher and more absorbent than coated paper. During printing, uncoated paper will absorb more ink meaning images will be softer and less crisp. It is much easier to write on uncoated paper because of this absorption.
Can Coated and Uncoated Paper be Recycled and Composted?
Both coated and uncoated paper can be recycled (unless metallic ink has been used, then neither can be recycled). However, coated paper requires more energy to be recycled and yields a lower percentage of paper fibre for recycling. This is because the paper coating needs to be removed through a washing process before it can be recycled.
Only uncoated paper can be composted, even if it is printed using metallic ink. Because there is no chemical agents used to coat the paper, our uncoated wrapping paper can be composted, just like newspaper. Coated paper should never be composted. The chemicals used to coat the paper cannot be broken down during the composting process and may contaminate the environment.
Uncoated Paper has a Rough, Dull Finish. Is This a Sign of Poor Quality?
It is true, uncoated paper has a textural finish and ink colours can be less vibrant; however, this is not a sign of poor quality. In fact, it's the opposite!
Our uncoated wrapping paper is 80gsm, the same weight and thickness as standard photocopy paper. What this means is there is 80 grams of paper per square metre. Most coated wrapping paper is 50-60gsm. This may not sound like much, but it has a large impact on the final result. Not only is coated paper more prone to tearing when you cut it and wrap your gifts, lighter colours are often see-through so you have to use double layer to keep the gift inside a surprise!
The vibrant colours achieved on coated paper are due to the chemical coating and brightening agents. If this is the look you want and you're ok using chemical-infused paper, then by all means - go for it!
Our promise to Gift Givers
Emballage strives to be a responsible, eco-conscious brand in every step of our processes and offerings. We believe that buying better quality is key to moving away from today's throwaway culture. And that's why we love designing and providing products made with uncoated paper; a reusable, recyclable and compostable resource.