Five facts about growing paper that you need to know!

Growing paper is something very special. The texture and content are very different from normal paper and the printing process is also different from normal printing paper. Here is an overview of the most important facts about growing paper: No bright white paper: each growing paper can have a slightly different colouring and is usually not bright white like normal paper. This often gives it a rustic and natural look. Each seed gives a different look: even within the same grammage, the colours are different. For example, the 250 gsm paper with forget-me-not seeds has a different look and feel than the 250 gsm growing paper with the wildflower mix. If you want to know the difference within a grammage before finalizing your order, contact us and we will be happy to send you a sample. Limited printing possibilities : Unlike conventional paper, not every design can be printed on growing paper. Please read our design tips before placing an order. Design deviations : Designs on growing paper are not always perfectly centred and may have minimal deviations (mm range). This is due to the nature of the seeded paper. However, these minor irregularities add to the handmade and natural charm of the paper. Each growing paper is unique: Due to the production method, each product made from growing paper can be unique. This is because the paper may contain remnants of recycled waste paper, such as leftover colour, leftover letters and other residues. These irregularities give each card an individual character.

Design guidelines

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The Golden 3 Rules

To make sure your design is perfectly realized on seed paper, we have put together three simple guidelines for you. They help you avoid common mistakes and ensure that your printed products look exactly the way you want them to.

Create the correct dimensions

In order for your design to be printed correctly, it must be created with the correct dimensions. If your design extends to the edge, a bleed is required so that there are no white edges when cutting.

Simply create your print template according to our instructions – with or without bleed. It’s best to use our ready-made templates directly so that everything fits perfectly and you can’t go wrong.

Use templates

Leave 60% white space

To ensure that your design can be printed correctly on our seed paper, it must contain at least 60% white space. A high ink coverage will cause the paper to become too moist and the seeds may germinate prematurely. Designs with large areas of colour are therefore not possible.

In addition, our uneven seed paper cannot absorb large areas of colour evenly, which can result in print streaks. It is essential to remove large backgrounds.

Choose the right file format

Your design must be saved in one of the following formats so that we can print it without any problems: PDF, PNG, or JPEG. Make sure that the file is in high resolution so that your print is razor-sharp.

Not everything is possible!

To achieve the best results when printing on seed paper, you should avoid certain design elements as they can affect the quality of the print and the effect of the paper. Here are the most important no-gos:

No full-colour printing
No frames in designs
No photoprinting (Possible under certain conditions)

For optimal printing results, we recommend designs that emphasise the unique texture of the seed paper rather than working against it. Our team will be happy to help you customise your design!

Experience seed paper

Curious to see and feel our eco-friendly seed paper? Order your free sample set today and explore all our paper types firsthand!

Order a paper sample

Seed paper characteristics

Seed paper is a natural product with its own characteristics. Each card is unique, and small inclusions or slight color variations are completely normal. The embedded seeds are sensitive to pressure, moisture, and storage conditions, which is why we cannot guarantee full germination. With the right care, however, your message will continue to grow and turn into something special. All details about the properties and characteristics can be found below.

Each seed paper has its own individual colour. Although our printers are specially adapted, we can not completely rule out colour deviations in the end product.

Due to the production method, each sheet of seed paper is unique. With our paper made from recycled waste paper, for example, colour snippets, scraps of letters and other residues may be visible in the paper. Cards with these blemishes are not sorted out.

Be aware of this when making your choice. If you would like to know the difference, please contact us and we will be happy to send you a sample.

We make every effort to bring the result as close as possible to your colour specifications. For a direct comparison, please order a test print.

Step by step to your print file

To ensure your design is perfectly realized on seed paper, your print file needs to be set up correctly. In this section we guide you step by step through preparing your file, with or without bleed. You will find all key details and examples below.

With bleed

Read our step-by-step instructions to create your design correctly. Use our tips to efficiently and flawlessly prepare your design for printing on growing paper.

Without bleed

Read our step-by-step instructions to set up your design correctly. Use our tips to efficiently and flawlessly prepare your design for printing on growing paper.

Special elements

Seed paper can be customized in many ways and gives you plenty of options for creative design. In this section, we show you how to correctly include additional elements such as QR codes in your print file. You will also learn about the special options we offer, for example punch holes for tags, the use of photos, or other unique finishes. This allows you to make your message even more personal and functional. All details and guidelines can be found below.

QR codes

Size: The QR code should be at least 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm to ensure readability.

Margin: Leave a margin of at least 5 mm around the QR code to avoid any interference with the surrounding design elements.

Color Contrast: Ensure there is a strong contrast between the QR code and the background for optimal scanning. Typically, a black QR code works best on seed paper.

Hole punching

Position: Determine the exact position where you want the hole to be placed.

Mark: Use a small cross (X) to indicate the hole placement.

Color: The cross should be in a light, non-intrusive color (e.g. a light grey). Avoid using bright colors.

Size: The cross should be small, just large enough to be visible to the printer but not to interfere with the design (e.g., 2-3 mm).

Border Distance: The hole should be placed at least 5 mm from the border to ensure that it won’t rip.

Rounded corners

Corner Radius: Decide on the radius of the rounded corners (e.g., 4 mm, 8 mm) and incorporate this into your design.

Safety Margins: Keep all important text and design elements at least 8 mm away from where the rounded corners will start. This prevents them from being cut off during trimming.

Bleed Area: Add a bleed area of 5 mm around the edges of your design. This ensures that the print extends to the edge of the paper without any unprinted borders.

Pictures

Picture Size: The picture should not occupy more than 40% of the total area of the chosen format. For example, if you are using an A4 sheet (210 x 297 mm), the image area should be no larger than approximately 84 x 118 mm.

Quality: Use high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) to maintain clarity and detail.

Discover more about printing photos on growing paper here!

Planting instructions

With a planting instruction and the website www.letitsprout.com in your design, you ensure that the recipient knows exactly how to plant the paper and bring the seeds to bloom.

Download instructions:

Growing paper is something very special. The texture and content are very different from normal paper and the printing process is also different from normal printing paper. Here is an overview of the most important facts about growing paper:

No bright white paper: each growing paper can have a slightly different colouring and is usually not bright white like normal paper. This often gives it a rustic and natural look.
Each seed gives a different look: even within the same grammage, the colours are different. For example, the 250 gsm paper with forget-me-not seeds has a different look and feel than the 250 gsm growing paper with the wildflower mix. If you want to know the difference within a grammage before finalizing your order, contact us and we will be happy to send you a sample.
Limited printing possibilities: Unlike conventional paper, not every design can be printed on growing paper. Please read our design tips before placing an order.
Design deviations: Designs on growing paper are not always perfectly centred and may have minimal deviations (mm range). This is due to the nature of the seeded paper. However, these minor irregularities add to the handmade and natural charm of the paper.
Each growing paper is unique: Due to the production method, each product made from growing paper can be unique. This is because the paper may contain remnants of recycled waste paper, such as leftover colour, leftover letters and other residues. These irregularities give each card an individual character.