Would you like printed materials that not only look good, but also feel special? Structured papers are the answer: with embossed surfaces, they bring a tactile experience to your designs – from business communications to wedding stationery. The tangible surface supports what you want to convey, ensuring that your printed products are memorable. It emphasises quality and sophistication, makes values tangible and turns communication into an experience.
At Papier Direkt Shop, you will find a wide selection of structured papers. These range from laid, hammered or linen-embossed to felt-marked and other embossed surfaces. In this overview, we present the most important paper textures. We explain how the embossing is created, what they are particularly suitable for and what you should bear in mind when printing on textured paper.
What types of structured paper are available at Papier Direkt?
We offer a wide range of structured papers that are clearly distinguishable from one another in terms of appearance and feel, so you can find the right material for every idea and every project. These are the most popular paper textures:
Laid Paper
Laid paper (also known as Vergé) features fine, parallel lines that give each sheet a classic, serious character, making it ideal for business letters, invitations or elegant correspondence, for example. The embossing is based on a historical paper-making technique in which the paper structure was created using a mould made of thin wire struts (known as a vergé mould). Today, this ribbing is reproduced by machine, ensuring that the typical look can be reliably reproduced.
Conqueror laid together with printed textured cardboard with laid surface in the colour Blush Warm Rosé and Zeta laid.
Conqueror laid The traditional Conqueror brand has been in production since 1888. The paper was the first machine-made fine paper with ribbing.
Zeta laid Compared to Conqueror, Zeta laid has a slightly more subtle ribbed surface. The colour selection is similarly extensive, with 5 shades of white.
Textured cardboard Blush Warm Rose The sturdy, laid 220 g/m² cardboard in a warm rosé colour is perfect for creative projects and printed materials.
Hammer embossed paper
If you are looking for a striking, lively structure, hammered paper allows you to make a powerful statement. The surface of this embossed paper is reminiscent of hammered metal, has a three-dimensional effect and adds a special touch to stationery and corporate communications without much effort. The characteristic texture of small valleys and hills creates an exciting, tactile experience. This adds sophistication to print designs and ensures high recognition value.
Zeta hammer embossed The fine paper with an embossed hammered finish impressively demonstrates how strongly haptics influence the perception of printed materials. In a business context, the aesthetics of hammered paper convey a sense of exclusivity and create a clear recognition value.
This distinctive structured paper is also particularly popular for wedding stationery. With its brilliant white colour, it emphasises the elegance of wedding invitations, save-the-date cards and other stationery items for weddings.
Save-the-date cards made from Zeta hammer embossed cardboard.
Linen paper
If you like an elegant, textile-like look, choose linen paper. Its fine embossing conveys seriousness, calmness and finesse. It perfectly complements both typography and graphic elements that are intended to appear refined and clear, as well as artistic handwriting. With its fabric-like structure, linen paper gives your designs a unique, exceptionally elegant aesthetic.
Linen-textured paper has a long tradition. This is demonstrated, for example, by this stationery treasure from our collection: a christening card from – wait for it – 1973! For many decades, linen paper has been synonymous with quality and elegance. These are characteristics that are still valued today. Whether for certificates or cards for special occasions, linen paper is a timeless classic that never goes out of fashion.
Christening card made of linen-textured paper with gold embossing and colour printing from the early 1970s.
The fabric-like, textured surface of linen paper creates an exciting visual and tactile effect.
Linen paper Our linen-embossed paper is available in Brilliant White and Cream. With its elegant embossing, it is just as suitable for high-quality business stationery and letterhead as it is for invitation cards and other stylish stationery.
Linen-textured paper is also wonderfully suited for lovers of handwritten letters. The ink adheres well and does not bleed, as the linen paper is not particularly absorbent. It is therefore popular for calligraphy or letter writing. Handwritten items and printed matter take on a special charm.
Felt-marked paper
Felt-marked papers create a natural, handcrafted look. The relief-like structure is very subtle, yet visible and tangible. It is created during production through contact with embossed felt. The irregular surface refracts light, reducing reflection and creating fine shadows and subtle depth. This makes printed products appear more vivid and lifelike. Felt-marked paper has a warm appearance. The material is therefore ideal for designs that are intended to convey closeness, craftsmanship and authenticity.
Old Mill Fine uncoated paper with very subtle felt marks, giving the surface a slightly rough and somewhat dull feel. The two colours, Bright White and Ivory, impress with their elegant simplicity. This makes the card quality of the fine paper ideal for cards for a wide variety of occasions, for example.
Countryside Mineral The fine fibre structure of Countryside Mineral creates an attractive effect reminiscent of natural stone. At the same time, the mottling of the sustainable paper remains discreetly in the background. The uncoated paper is available in two colours: Sandstone and Slate.
Da Capo Watercolour Pad High-quality watercolour paper for artists, produced in Germany. The extra rough, felt-marked surface of Da Capo watercolour paper creates a slightly grainy structure. This effectively loosens up the watercolour motifs.
Tintoretto Ceylon The surface appearance of Tintoretto Ceylon is reminiscent of artist paper and conveys a handcrafted impression. This makes it ideal for printed matter where atmosphere and material effect are important, such as art prints or wedding stationery.
Countryside Mineral Sandstone & Slate with a natural stone-like surface, together with the finely felt-marked Old Mill.Rich colour printing on Tintoretto Ceylon Crystal White, together with natural white Da Capo Watercolour Paper.
Torchon paper
‘Torchon‘ means ‘scouring cloth‘ in French and describes a very coarse, textured linen surface. The surface of Torchon paper has distinctive, cloud-like structures and is well known in the fine art context, where it allows colours to flow in a unique way and creates plastic effects. This characteristic can be used to great effect for creative printed materials.
Hand-painted paper with a Torchon finish and menu printed on our natural white textured cardboard.
Natural white textured cardboard The cotton-containing 250 g/m² cardboard with a torchon surface is a real all-rounder. It delivers excellent printing results, but is also suitable for painting with watercolours. This makes it an ideal choice for combining printed and hand-painted elements, for example in card design. Printed watercolour motifs take on a distinctly authentic effect on the textured cardboard.
If you are looking for a Torchon pad, we recommend our Watercolour Pad Torchon, available in several formats.
What other embossing structures are there for paper?
If you prefer subtle textures, it is worth taking a look at micro-embossed surfaces. ‘Micro-embossing’ is a collective term for various delicate paper structures that appear subtle and modern and add a fine depth to printed materials. Micro-embossed papers are generally more print-friendly than heavily structured papers with deep embossing, as the raised and recessed areas on their surfaces are comparatively flat.
Flat, blue colour printing on Rives Design fine paper with a fine diamond pattern and Lunar Metallic envelope with delicate micro-embossing in Silk White on leather-grained binding cardboard in Bright White with a distinctive surface texture.
Rives Design Rives Design fine paper is a geometrically embossed structured paper available in Natural White and White. The original honeycomb-like diamond pattern of the delicate embossing gives printed communications an unusual, modern look.
Lunar envelopes These metallic envelopes in four formats enchant with their micro-embossed paper texture and two soft colours inspired by the silvery reflections of the moon. The elegantly shimmering metallic surface transforms every stationery project into a luxurious visual and tactile experience.
Leather-effect binding cardboard In addition to the linen look, there are many other embossed structures for paper that are reminiscent of textile materials. Leather-embossed paper is particularly popular. We offer distinctive, leather-grained binding cardboard in Bright White, Cream White and Black. However, there are also leather papers with special reptile embossing, such as lizard, crocodile and chimera.
What are structured papers and why are they so popular?
Structured papers are high-quality fine papers with visible and tactile surface textures. The various embossings give textured papers a distinctive look and feel and add another dimension beyond colour. The embossed surfaces react to light, give depth to surfaces and allow the paper quality to be experienced with the fingers. This added tactile value is the reason why textured papers are so popular in corporate communications, branding and marketing, as well as in stationery for special occasions such as weddings.
With structured papers, you can design printed materials that not only look good, but also feel special. Their noticeable texture conveys value and emphasises the high quality of these fine papers. They are available in a wide range of designs – from delicate micro-embossing and fine linen surfaces to very distinctive textures. They help you to set the right tone for your communication and make your printed products real eye-catchers.
How does the structure get into the paper?
The characteristic surfaces of structured papers are created by mechanical embossing during paper production. Therefore, the paper is processed using special rollers that emboss the desired pattern. The result can range from elegant and subtle to striking and expressive. This creates papers that stand out from smooth standard papers in terms of both appearance and feel.
Printed matter on Zeta structured paper. The hammered finish is created during paper production by an embossing roller.
In laid paper, the embossing effect is created, for example, by an egoutteur (also known as a dandy roll): the roller covered with screen fabric runs over the still damp web in the screen section of the paper machine and creates linear ribs that mechanically replicate the historic vergé look. In the past, this was created by a scoop screen (known as a vergé screen) consisting of thin wire rods. When the paper pulp was scooped manually from the vat, the fibre pulp settled on the screen, with the wires leaving pressure marks. In these areas, the paper produced was thinner and the typical ribs appeared as lighter lines when viewed from behind. Today’s mechanical surface embossing recreates the historical ribbed look. The fine, parallel lines can be reliably reproduced by machine and are particularly balanced.
Printing on structured paper works very well. It is best to check the settings options on your printer. If there are different options for media type, grammage, single sheet feed or standard feed, adjust them accordingly. For laser printing, you should select a suitable media type such as ‘rough paper‘ or ‘heavy paper‘ (especially for card stock). In addition, single-sheet feeding helps to minimise bending and ensure even printing. With very strong structures, the toner may provide less coverage in deep areas. Flatter structures such as fine felt markings or micro-embossing produce a more homogeneous print image.
Some textured papers are also suitable for inkjet printing. It is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, such as ‘HP Indigo certified’ or ‘inkjet suitable’. On open, coarse surfaces (e.g. Torchon), colours behave differently than on smooth papers and sometimes form colour fringes. This can be used creatively and is particularly appreciated in the fine art sector.
The structured papers in the Papier Direkt range have good running properties in laser printing. Conqueror laid, Zeta laid and linen paper are also expressly suitable for inkjet printing. Our Tester Packs are ideal for testing whether a paper is suitable for your designs and your printing device. We always recommend carrying out processing tests with your own device.
For which applications are structured papers suitable?
Structured papers are always appropriate when quality and personality need to be emphasised. The variety of structured surfaces makes it possible to tailor the feel precisely to the design: sometimes as a subtle accent, sometimes as a striking stylistic element that deliberately takes centre stage.
The variety of embossed structured papers creates numerous possibilities for exciting print designs with added haptic value.
Structured paper gives high-quality business stationery such as letterhead and business cards a stylish aesthetic and a special recognition value. In print designs and advertising materials, textured paper conveys messages on another level and appeals to multiple senses. Thanks to their added haptic value, textured paper and structured cardboard are also particularly suitable for exclusive packaging designs, package inserts, product labels and decorative elements in product presentations.
High-quality structured paper is an effective design element for invitations, greeting cards and thank you cards for special occasions, allowing you to emphasise your message and express your appreciation. Structured paper gives event and wedding stationery in particular an extraordinary character that highlights the significance of the occasion.
Structured papers are your shortcut to greater impact in many applications. They combine a unique look and feel, turning print into an experience.
Do you use structured paper, and what do you particularly like to use it for? Which of the paper structures presented here is your favourite? Tell us in the comments or on Instagram.
