Become familiar with what paper stocks are readily available by contacting your printer. They will be able to provide updated paper swatches or samples.
Ask your printer about the “house sheet”. Printer select and stock their favorite paper. Their purchasing volume allows for discounted prices. A house paper may not always remain the same, so inquire regularly.
Don’t underestimate the effect paper has on the quality of your printed piece. Paper typically constitutes one-third to one-half of a project’s budget. Skimping on paper most likely will diminish the quality of the project.
Small changes in a stock basis weight can affect how the printed image on the other side shows through. If possible, use a heavier paper to minimize show-through when printing solid blocks of color on an offset press. If you decide to use a heavier stock, check to see if it will affect postal costs for the job.
Avoid using coated paper for materials which people must write, such as reply cards. Coated stock can cause writing to smear.