Which paper should I choose for my dissertation?
The printer offers a wide range of paper types for your thesis. The differences between them vary, but to make things a little easier for you, we’ve outlined four paper types below that are commonly used for theses. Of course, it’s best to see them in person at the printers, but this will also give you some background information on the various options for your thesis paper.
HVO (wood-free, uncoated) – €
HVO paper is – as the name suggests – uncoated, and therefore feels slightly rougher than coated, smoother paper. In terms of colour, HVO is bright white and therefore very clear. When it comes to weight, 90-gram paper is often chosen for HVO.
When should you use HVO paper for your thesis?
This paper is very white: there is therefore a stark contrast between the paper and the text of your thesis. This is sometimes considered to be less favourable for readability, which is why books are almost never printed on white paper.
G-Print (coated) – €
G-Print paper is often slightly heavier than HVO, weighing 115 grams. It is coated, which means the paper feels and looks very smooth and slightly softer. In terms of colour, it is slightly less white; HVO has an off-white colour.
When should you use G-Print paper for your thesis?
As mentioned, G-Print paper is coated paper, which means the ink sits on the surface of the paper rather than being absorbed into it. We recommend this type of paper, particularly for images with lots of colour.
Biotop (uncoated) – €
Biotop paper is uncoated, so, like HVO, it feels slightly rougher to the touch. The colour is more yellow/cream than bright white. Biotop is often used as paper for books.
When should you use Biotop paper for your thesis?
Do you have a thesis that consists mainly of text, and do you therefore consider readability to be the most important factor? If so, Biotop is a good option for you.
Recycled (sustainable, uncoated) – €€
As the name suggests: recycled paper is more sustainable. It is also uncoated (so not particularly smooth). Recycled paper is usually 100 grams and has a slightly greyer tone. Also, as it is recycled, there are often small specks or spots visible on the paper, so it is usually not completely uniform in colour.
When should you use recycled paper for your thesis?
Recycled paper is slightly more expensive than other types of paper: the main reason for choosing it is therefore sustainability. Do you prioritise the environment over finding the perfect type of paper for your thesis? If so, opt for recycled paper.
There are, of course, many other types of paper that can be used for a thesis. However, these types of paper are not usually in stock everywhere, which means you need to print a minimum number of copies to keep the costs from rising too much. If you are curious about other options, you can enquire about them at the printer.
