Best paper for covers?

[crazywaffle124]

What is the best paper for the covers? Should I buy glossy paper, thick paper, or use just regular paper? Is it better to go to a store to get it printed (like Staples), or just print it from home?

[ZX the Hedgehog]

Depends on what you're looking at.

Plain (or, Matte) paper is the cheapest, and will still produce decent prints, but looks a bit whiter in color.

Glossy paper produces better color (especially blacks), but certain types of covers will not fit, as it almost never comes in Legal size.

Most people will tell you paper thickness doesn't matter, though a slightly thicker paper *may* be easier to stuff in, but usually any thickness paper is fine.

Either way you decide to print it, find the cheapest while still maintaining quality in color.

[Arseen]

Short answer: Semigloss photo paper.

[Lashek]

I use the following paper for mine:
http://paperworks.com/store/products/paperworks-inkjet-2-side-semi-gloss-8-12x14-48lb180g-50pkg

The reason being is that both sides are semi-gloss, so when I use a UGC, I can have a proper inlay as well as a cover. It's also slightly thicker than regular paper, and allows for some amazing print quality.

[TDIRunner]

If you decide to go with the matte instead of the semi-gloss, I would recommend this.  It's what I use.

Red River 50 lb. Premium Matte Double Sided 8.5x1114

http://www.redrivercatalog.com/product/1510.html

http://www.redrivercatalog.com/category/85x14_inkjet_photo_paper.html

***EDIT***  Made the correction to say 8.5x14.  Sorry.

[ZX the Hedgehog]

What I actually use is Hammermill Color Copy Legal:

http://www.staples.com/HammerMill-Color-Copy-Digital-Paper/product_SS913261#id=%27dropdown_16709%27

It's basically a high-quality legal paper for color prints. It's matte, but produces surprisingly good blacks on a good printer.

[crazywaffle124]

What I actually use is Hammermill Color Copy Legal:

http://www.staples.com/HammerMill-Color-Copy-Digital-Paper/product_SS913261#id=%27dropdown_16709%27

It's basically a high-quality legal paper for color prints. It's matte, but produces surprisingly good blacks on a good printer.

I ended up getting this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006L38Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
will this be good?

[FritzWhite]

I used multipurpose for my covers and they look mediocre. I plan on upgrading my covers to better paper. Maybe you can post a picture later to show how the covers turn out.

[Lashek]

I ended up getting this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006L38Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
will this be good?

This is just regular multi-purpose paper that you can buy anywhere. While not bad for temporary prints, I don't think blacks will look as good as on semi-gloss / photo paper. Your mileage may vary though, so it's hard to say.

[Mel]

Here is TDIRunner's paper comparison picture.

Some of you might want to hit me for waiting this long, but I finally bought some good quality paper.  The difference really is amazing.  I'll probably replace all of my covers eventually, but I'm not in a big rush.  I'm mostly concerned with using the better quality stuff going forward.

Red River 50 lb. Premium Matte Double Sided 8.5x11



The new stuff is on the right (just in case you couldn't tell )


The difference in person is about a thousand times better than what the pictures are showing (and I think the pictures show a lot).

[crazywaffle124]

Here is TDIRunner's paper comparison picture.

Some of you might want to hit me for waiting this long, but I finally bought some good quality paper.  The difference really is amazing.  I'll probably replace all of my covers eventually, but I'm not in a big rush.  I'm mostly concerned with using the better quality stuff going forward.

Red River 50 lb. Premium Matte Double Sided 8.5x11



The new stuff is on the right (just in case you couldn't tell )


The difference in person is about a thousand times better than what the pictures are showing (and I think the pictures show a lot).

Thanks for this! Is 8.5 x 11 good, or do I need 8.5 x 14? I'll be making ps3 xbox 360, wii, ps2,ds, gba covers

[tiamaxwell]

It would need to be legal sized, 8.5" x 14" . Standard is too small.

[TDIRunner]

I can't believe I said 8.5x11.    I absolutely meant 8.5 x 14.  

Here is the proper link.  Item number 1514.  Sorry for any confusion.

http://www.redrivercatalog.com/category/85x14_inkjet_photo_paper.html

[crazywaffle124]

I can't believe I said 8.5x11.    I absolutely meant 8.5 x 14.  

Here is the proper link.  Item number 1514.  Sorry for any confusion.

http://www.redrivercatalog.com/category/85x14_inkjet_photo_paper.html

no problem! Would this paper be good if I wanted to make manuals as well? Does this site have manuals/ catridge labels?

[TDIRunner]

I can't believe I said 8.5x11.    I absolutely meant 8.5 x 14.  

Here is the proper link.  Item number 1514.  Sorry for any confusion.

http://www.redrivercatalog.com/category/85x14_inkjet_photo_paper.html

no problem! Would this paper be good if I wanted to make manuals as well? Does this site have manuals/ catridge labels?

I think you would probably want to go with a slightly little lighter paper for manuals.  But I've never tried to make manuals before, so you should probably get a second opinion.