Designing for print means considering every detail that contributes to the story being told, especially the paper. One attribute of paper – shade – has a huge impact on the vividness of color, photo details, and overall mood. Understanding when and why you should choose a specific shade of paper will help you elevate your projects from good to unforgettable.
Which Shade to Choose?
Cougar®, our premium line of uncoated paper, comes in two expertly engineered shades: White and Natural. Cougar White brings clarity and contrast while Cougar Natural offers warmth and depth. Choosing between them means defining the goal of your piece. What do you want your piece to feel like? What kind of reaction do you want to spark?
Cougar White is your blank slate for anything you may want to print—bright, balanced, and ready to help your color leap off the page. This shade is ideal for achieving strong contrast, sharp details, and vibrant color reproduction. Allowing for clean, striking looks, it’s especially suited for images requiring crisp lines and lifelike clarity such as portraits, wood grains, or architectural renderings.
If your project calls for crispness and vivacity, Cougar White is your go-to.
Cougar Natural, on the other hand, introduces a subtle warmth and softness that adds emotional depth to your visuals. Its smooth, creamy shade is perfect for transforming projects that seek to evoke nostalgia, authenticity, or a handcrafted feel. Cougar Natural is especially powerful for enhancing skin tones, enriching natural landscapes, or adding a vintage touch to photography. Even black-and-white images gain a new dimension, growing less stark and more storied. The warmth of Cougar Natural invites the viewer in, wrapping your content in a sense of comfort and tactility. From full-color spreads to duotones and artistic prints, Natural is your choice when searching for a grounded, personal look.
A Matter of Mood
Whether you’re crafting a bold brand piece or a quiet, personal story, the right paper shade can help your design deliver its message, both visually and emotionally. Cougar Paper Trails doesn’t just talk about paper shade—it shows it. Through visual examples like side-by-side print comparisons, and thoughtfully explained concepts, Make the Journey Colorful gives readers a hands-on experience with both Cougar White and Cougar Natural. By placing the actual sheets in your hands, it lets you see the difference paper shade can make. Whether you’re comparing the warmth of Natural against the brightness of White or studying how each handles detail and contrast, Cougar Paper Trails turns abstract ideas into tangible insights—making it an essential tool for any creative professional looking to make more informed, intentional print decisions.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into how shade and brightness can shape perception, don’t miss the latest edition of our Paper 101 series: Cougar Paper Trails: Make the Journey Colorful.
To request your copy, visit Domtar.com/Collateral or reach out to your local merchant or Domtar Account Manager.
