Choosing the Right Paper!



Posted: Thursday, March 04, 2010

by Prudence Helders
ALL-STATE LEGAL

The paper you choose for your communications is the tangible touch and feel of your brand. High quality fine cotton paper is easy to recognize - not only by how it looks, but also by how it feels.

However, the benefits of using fine cotton paper, also known as bond paper, go beyond the look and feel of the paper itself. Of course, cotton fiber papers are distinct in their easily identifiable, crisp feel. But did you know that printed colors appear richer on cotton papers? Or that cotton papers are more durable and do not discolor like so many wood pulp papers will over time?

The paper you choose for your stationery is equally as important as your design, printing elements, and visual identity. Some important issues to consider are:

Cotton Content

100% cotton/TREE-FREE - Has incredibly rich look and feel and is most frequently used by law firms for letterhead

25% cotton - Though sometimes used as an alternative to 100% cotton paper for letterhead, these papers are also used for other legal documents, presentations, internal correspondence, etc. due to their archival properties and economical cost

Color

White or bright white enhances logos, graphics and colored inks

Off-white and cream are the most traditional colors chosen by law firms Weight

28 lb. paper for proposals and presentations

24 lb. paper for stationery and other communication documents

20 lb. paper for draft sheets and court filings

Finish

Wove-smooth-to-the-touch surface finish

Laid-elegant, slightly ribbed finish

Cockle-highly textured, traditional legal finish

Environmentally Friendly PropertiesCotton linters are used to make bond paper. Linters are considered by the EPA to be a recycled fiber, thus making any cotton content in bond papers recycled. Cotton papers can also include a percentage of Post Consumer Waste (PCW).

Other Characteristics

Watermark - embedded with a translucent brand that identifies the paper brand or your firm. Watermarks cannot be altered or reproduced, which provides effective protection and authentication of your printed materials.

Date stamped security - discreet mark in the watermark identifies the year of manufacture for document verification and authenticity, which has been used as evidence in numerous court cases.

Next Step

If you are already an ASL cotton paper and print customer, thank you for your business. If you haven't yet decided to use the single source advantage of ASL, just give us the opportunity!

Since 1946, ASL has custom formulated fine cotton papers specifically to the needs of the legal community. We are the industry leader when it comes to providing innovative papers for stationery and legal documents of all kinds. We rely on our experience and knowledge about the legal community, we maintain close working relationships with paper mills and forge associations with companies such as Hewlett Packard's Technical Division to ensure that we remain at the forefront of new technology. We are committed to quality and environmental responsibility. Every paper run undergoes stringent quality assurance inspections before leaving the mill. Every engraved or printed piece of stationery is inspected to provide the best quality. Our recycled papers are 30% post consumer waste to meet (or exceed) all federal and state mandates. We guarantee that we'll help you maximize your firm's stationery impact by using one of our paper brands. Contact your ASL account manager today at 800.222.0510!
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