Bond paper vs. coated paper for flyer - What is The Difference?

Last Updated May 21, 2025

Bond paper offers a natural texture and high durability ideal for professional, everyday flyers, while coated paper delivers a glossy finish enhancing color vibrancy and sharpness for high-impact, visually striking promotions. Selecting bond paper ensures better ink absorption and a matte appearance, whereas coated paper provides smoother surfaces suited for detailed images and vibrant graphics.

Table of Comparison

Feature Bond Paper Coated Paper
Surface Texture Uncoated, rough Smooth, glossy or matte coating
Print Quality Good for text, less vibrant images High image sharpness and color vibrancy
Weight Typically 16-24 lb (60-90 gsm) Usually 80-150 gsm
Durability Moderate, prone to wrinkling High resistance to smudges and moisture
Cost Lower cost, budget-friendly Higher cost due to coating process
Best Use Text-heavy flyers, internal memos Image-rich flyers, professional marketing

Introduction to Flyer Printing Paper Types

Flyer printing often utilizes bond paper and coated paper, each offering distinct qualities suited to different purposes. Bond paper is lightweight, breathable, and ideal for text-heavy flyers that require easy handling and affordability. Coated paper features a smooth, glossy or matte finish, enhancing color vibrancy and image sharpness, making it perfect for visually striking promotional materials.

What is Bond Paper?

Bond paper is a high-quality, durable paper often used for letterheads, stationery, and flyers due to its strength and smooth texture. It typically has a weight range of 16 to 24 lbs and is known for its good ink absorption, which ensures crisp and clear print results. Bond paper is uncoated, making it less glossy than coated paper but more suitable for writing and printing sharp text.

What is Coated Paper?

Coated paper is a type of paper with a surface layer that enhances smoothness, brightness, and print quality, making it ideal for vibrant flyer designs. It typically features a glossy, matte, or satin finish that allows for sharper images and bolder colors compared to uncoated bond paper. This coating controls ink absorption, resulting in crisper text and visuals, which is essential for high-impact marketing materials like flyers.

Key Differences Between Bond and Coated Paper

Bond paper features a porous, uncoated surface that offers excellent ink absorption and a natural, matte finish, making it ideal for text-heavy flyers requiring crisp readability. Coated paper has a smooth, glossy or satin finish due to its coating, enhancing color vibrancy and image sharpness, which is perfect for photographic or graphic-rich flyers. The key differences lie in texture, print quality, and ink absorption: bond paper provides a more subdued, classic look with better ink penetration, while coated paper delivers brighter colors and sharper details with less ink absorption.

Print Quality: Bond vs Coated Paper

Bond paper offers a smooth, uncoated surface resulting in a matte finish that absorbs ink, producing softer, less vibrant colors ideal for text-heavy flyers. Coated paper, available in gloss or matte finishes, has a sealed surface that resists ink absorption, delivering sharper, more vivid images with higher contrast and color saturation for eye-catching flyer designs. Print quality on coated paper outperforms bond paper when precise detail and color richness are priorities in flyer production.

Durability and Handling Comparison

Bond paper offers superior durability and a sturdy feel, making it ideal for flyers that require frequent handling or longer lifespan. Coated paper provides a smooth, glossy finish that enhances image quality but tends to be more prone to creasing and fingerprints, impacting handling. For flyers demanding robustness and resistance to wear, bond paper outperforms coated paper in maintaining integrity through repeated use.

Cost Effectiveness for Flyer Projects

Bond paper offers greater cost effectiveness for flyer projects due to its lower price point and sufficient print quality for mass distribution. Coated paper, while pricier, delivers superior color vibrancy and durability, making it suitable for high-impact marketing but less budget-friendly for large quantities. Choosing bond paper reduces overall printing costs, especially when flyers require quick turnaround and wide circulation.

Best Uses for Bond Paper Flyers

Bond paper flyers excel in professional, everyday communication such as business reports, memos, and educational handouts due to their durable, lightweight, and easy-to-write-on surface. This uncoated paper is ideal for flyers requiring handwritten notes or stamps, making it suitable for community events, office announcements, and direct mail campaigns. Its affordability and versatility also make bond paper flyers a cost-effective choice for bulk printing where readability and simplicity are key.

Best Uses for Coated Paper Flyers

Coated paper flyers are ideal for marketing campaigns requiring vibrant, sharp images and glossy finishes that enhance visual appeal and color accuracy. Their smooth surface is perfect for high-resolution graphics, making them suitable for retail promotions, event advertisements, and product showcases. The durability and resistance to smudging of coated paper help maintain a professional look in high-traffic distribution settings.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Flyer Campaign

Choosing the right paper for your flyer campaign depends on your desired look and feel; bond paper offers a smooth, uncoated finish ideal for clear text and affordability, making it perfect for mass distribution. Coated paper, available in glossy or matte finishes, enhances color vibrancy and image sharpness, suited for high-impact visuals and premium branding. Evaluate your campaign goals, budget, and the importance of print quality to select between bond's practicality and coated's visual appeal.

Bond paper vs. coated paper for flyer - What is The Difference?

Infographic: Bond paper vs Coated paper for Flyer



About the author. Kakani is a respected author and expert in materials for industrial and manufacturing applications. With years of experience in both research and industry.

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The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be complete. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we cannot guarantee that the details mentioned are up-to-date or applicable to all scenarios. Topics about Bond paper vs Coated paper for Flyer are subject to change from time to time.

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