Like ripples on a pond from a thrown pebble, a rough paper surface can blur an image. The smoother the finish of a paper’s surface, the more balanced the reflection of light will be, resulting in a sharper, more vibrant print. If a paper is rough or uncoated, light scatters, creating a dull or washed-out surface. A solid black on an uncoated paper, for example, will look grey rather than a rich dark black. In addition, an uncoated paper will absorb more of the ink, like a paper towel cleaning up a spill. The image becomes dull and lines become fuzzy.

Please don’t think that uncoated papers are all that bad. If a design’s intention is to be soft or tactile, an uncoated sheet might be the way to go. For example, an uncoated stock can be warm and inviting, while a coated paper can sometimes feel impersonal or cold. The good news is that there are plenty of surfaces to choose from, each with a varying degree of smoothness.