The GDS Media range has been carefully sourced and selected to offer our customers a ‘tried & tested’ range of media that offer high quality together with value for money.
We buy our GDS papers from established manufacturers such as Canon and Xerox to ensure that the papers we recommend in this range give customers the consistent quality of print and are readily available from stock. Because we buy such high quantities of these paper grades we can offer our customers fantastic low pricing and next day delivery, meaning you get the best value for money range straight to your door.
The general rule when choosing a paper is to decide from the following criteria:
How heavy in terms of ink load is your print?
If you are printing a CAD drawing or line layout for your own use then the chances are you would select uncoated 80g or 90g paper. If you are using heavier fills, adding small images or wanting a better quality print you would go up in weight to 100gsm or 120gsm and choose a coated paper. The invisible inkjet coating laid onto these papers during manufacture grabs and holds the ink giving a ‘tighter’ cleaner print with better colour quality and clarity than basic uncoated paper. If you are printing heavy ink load posters then at least 165g or 180g coated would be ideal.
What finish do you need?
Matt papers are fine for posters and presentation prints and can be the best choice for art prints especially, but if you require a more vibrant finish you could choose a satin or gloss – these are true photo papers and will always give better and more vibrant colours than matt papers.
Here are the fundamental range options – we are always sourcing and adding new sizes and qualities:
Click on a finish to be taken directly to that range of finishes
Matt
80gsm Draft Uncoated CAD Paper
Mono line drawings for basic in house use.
90gsm Standard Uncoated CAD paper
Mono and colour line drawings and small block fills for in house use (for reference 80gsm and 90gsm are about the same as standard office photocopier paper).
90gsm Matt Coated Paper
Presentation mono and colour line drawings for client presentation – a smoother and better quality print than uncoated.
100gsm Matt Coated Paper
Presentation mono and colour line drawings for client presentation – a super smooth, high quality paper for client presentations – gives better colours.
120gsm Matt Coated Paper
Presentation work for client presentation – a smooth quality paper for client presentations and light ink load posters or wallcharts (for reference 120gsm is about the weight of good quality traditional writing paper).
165gsm Matt Coated Paper
A popular poster paper with a smooth matt feel and a white preferred by wallpaper designers in particular.
180gsm Matt Coated Paper
For presentation and poster work – a smooth quality paper for client presentations and slightly heavier ink loads. Ideal for full colour posters.
180gsm Superior Matt Barrier Coated Paper
A superior poster paper which takes heavier ink loads and gives the most vibrant colour of all our matt papers. Great for full coverage poster work.
210gsm Natural White Smooth Art Paper
This is a smooth ‘ivory’ colour paper favoured by artists and art students who are after a budget paper with a ‘cartridge paper’ feel. It is not textured and is not too heavy but it does give a nice arty feel to your prints where bright white is too stark.
230gsm Matt Coated Paper
A bright white smooth paper favoured by art shops, galleries and photographers producing high quality posters of original works (they tend to use our 300gsm matt smooth for framed limited edition work to give two price point items).
250gsm Studio Matt Photo Paper
An extremely competitively priced matt photo paper, with excellent photographic reproduction qualities, making this an obvious choice for the discerning photographer. Not compromising on quality for price, this matt photo paper has a good weight and feel, whilst producing beautiful results for both colour and monochrome images.
300gsm Fine Art Smooth Cotton Paper
A natural white, very heavy paper (about the weight of a decent postcard) which is favoured by artists and photographers producing artworks for mounting and framing. Can also be used for floating, where the image is raised on sticky fixers to float within the frame. Although described as smooth in comparison to the textured version below, this paper does have a slight texture giving it an expensive feel. Archival – meaning it lasts for a long time. Acid-free -meaning it is pH neutral addressing the problem of preserving documents and artwork for long periods.
300gsm Fine Art Textured Cotton Paper
A natural white, very heavy paper (about the weight of a decent postcard) which is favoured by artists and photographers producing artworks for mounting and framing. Can also be used for floating, where the image is raised on sticky fixers to float within the frame. We have customer who like to use our Deckle Edge Ripper on this paper to create a feathered edge. This paper does have a heavy texture giving it an expensive feel. Archival – meaning it lasts for a long time. Acid-free -meaning it is pH neutral addressing the problem of preserving documents and artwork for long periods.
Satin
190gsm Satin Photo Paper
A semi-matte, paper with a smooth sheen which is our most popular photo paper. This paper gives the most vibrant colours in comparison to matt papers and can be used for brighter posters as well as framing. Gives less glare than glossy papers so your image is not compromised by lighting glare when displayed. If you want a higher quality feel then choose our 260gsm below. The 190gsm is a light weight paper in comparison and can let some light through when held up.
260gsm Satin Photo Paper
A heavier weight version of the 190gsm above. The most popular satin for photographic prints – a traditional photo weight.
Gloss
190gsm Gloss Photo Paper
A high gloss paper with a very shiny surface. This paper gives the most vibrant colours in comparison to matt papers and can be used for brighter posters as well as framing. Glossy papers of this type are less popular than satin as the image can sometimes be compromised by lighting glare when displayed.
The GDS range also covers tracing paper, double matt film and some specialist self-adhesive products. If you would like more advice on which paper might be right for your prints, just give us a call and we will help – 01625 613548.
