Concert tickets come in all shapes and sizes these days. From simple thermal printouts to elaborately designed collectibles, the paper ticket stub has evolved dramatically over the years. But with so many options available, what paper is actually used to create modern concert tickets? Here’s a quick look at the key requirements:
- Durability – The ticket needs to withstand being carried around, slipped into wallets and pockets, and handled by excited fans. The paper must be tear resistant.
- Printability – The ticket needs to work with high resolution full color printing, as well as thermal printing. The paper must absorb and hold ink well.
- Security – The ticket should have security features to prevent counterfeiting like watermarks, holograms, and specialty inks.
- Cost – Venues purchase tickets in huge quantities, so the paper needs to be reasonably affordable.
With those requirements in mind, most modern concert tickets are printed on specialty paper stocks that are thicker and more durable than common copy paper. Let’s take a closer look at the specific types of paper used for tickets these days.
Thermal Ticket Paper
One of the most common types of paper used for concert tickets is direct thermal paper. This refers to paper that is coated with a special chemical formula that reacts to heat. Using a thermal printer, images and text can be printed onto the paper without requiring any ink.
The thermal printing process causes the chemicals in the paper coating to turn black when heated, creating the image. This type of paper is popular for venues that need to quickly print large volumes of tickets on site just before an event. The benefits include:
- No ink required – Thermal paper just needs heat to create an image.
- Cost effective – Thermal paper is relatively affordable.
- Fast printing – Modern thermal printers can print tickets at very high speeds.
- Compact – Thermal printers take up little space compared to large format inkjet printers.
On the downside, thermal paper has some drawbacks when used for concert tickets:
- Fades over time – The image printed on thermal paper will slowly fade and discolor, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight. For collectible tickets, longevity is important.
- Lacks security – Thermal paper does not support many of the popular anti-counterfeiting features like watermarks. Thermal tickets are easier to fake.
- Basic appearance – Thermal printing does not allow for the colorful, photographic images and effects possible with other printing methods.
So thermal ticket paper is commonly used for concerts where:
- A basic ticket design is acceptable
- Quick and easy on-site printing is needed
- Collectability is not a major concern
It’s a cost-effective option for venues that just need to rapidly print a high volume of tickets for each event.
Heavyweight Paper Stock
On the opposite end of the spectrum from thermal paper, some concert tickets today are printed on heavy, high quality paper stock. This provides a number of advantages:
- Thicker and more durable – Heavy paper stands up well to wear and tear.
- Vibrant printing – Thicker papers hold ink on the surface, allowing for vivid images with pop and dimension.
- Security – Features like embedded holograms can be added to thick paper tickets.
- Collectible – The durable, vividly printed tickets make great keepsakes and mementos.
The thickness and weight of the paper is measured in “points” – each point equals 1/1000th of an inch layer of paper. Here are some common paper weights used for tickets:
Paper Weight | Thickness |
---|---|
100 lb text | .10 inches |
80 lb cover | .008 inches |
14 pt cardstock | .014 inches |
28 pt cardstock | .028 inches |
As you go up in paper weight and thickness, the ticket becomes more durable, but also more expensive to produce. 14 pt to 28 pt cardstock is commonly used for high end concert tickets. This thicker paper also allows for special cutting techniques like rounded corners or die cutting into unique ticket shapes.
The downside to heavyweight paper is mainly cost – it costs more to print tickets on thick paper stock. The printing process is also slower, so these tickets are often produced well in advance of an event rather than on-site.
Synthetic Paper
An alternative to natural paper is to print tickets on synthetic materials like plastic and recycled polypropylene. Brand names for these materials include Teslin, Artisyn, and Synaps. They offer some interesting benefits:
- Tear resistant – Synthetic materials are extremely hardy and difficult to rip.
- Weatherproof – They can withstand some exposure to water and the elements.
- Reusable – Some venues use durable plastic tickets that can be scanned, then reused for future events rather than being taken at the door.
- Customizable – Synthetic substrates allow for unique options like transparent areas in the ticket, metallic ink finishes, and digital data chips or NFC tags embedded in the ticket.
On the other hand, synthetic tickets have some downsides to consider:
- Cost – The exotic synthetic materials generally cost more than natural paper.
- Printability – Plastics can be tricky to print on using standard methods and inks.
- Less collectible – Fans tend to prefer the look and feel of heavy paper stock for keepsake tickets.
Still, innovative venues and artists are increasingly experimenting with exotic synthetic ticket materials to provide fans with a unique souvenir. Embedded RFID chips in particular allow for novel experiences like storing visuals, music, or a personal message from the artist that can be accessed by tapping your phone to the ticket.
The Printed Ticket Stub
Regardless of the paper weight, material, or printing method used, the iconic ticket stub remains an important part of the live event experience for many fans. Here are some of the reasons printed tickets continue to thrive in the digital age:
- Tradition – Tangible tickets have been part of concerts and events for generations. Fans appreciate continuing this traditional experience.
- Souvenirs – Fans love to hold onto ticket stubs as memorabilia and collectibles from favorite shows.
- Gifting – Printed tickets make great last minute gifts and are more meaningful than simply emailing a PDF.
- Graphics – Real paper allows for stunning visual designs, artwork, photos, and graphics that just aren’t possible with digital tickets.
- Security – Printed tickets can have custom overt and covert security features that are difficult to replicate.
The unique collectible ticket stub has become its own artform, with concerts competing to have the most elaborate designs and effects. Even as digital ticketing grows, the printed memento stubbornly lives on.
Modern Ticket Printing Methods
Once the paper stock is selected, what printing methods bring these concert tickets to life? Some of the most popular today include:
Full Color Lithographic Printing
Lithographic printing uses a printing plate to transfer inked images onto paper. It allows for full color printing at very high resolution – ideal for photographic images and complex graphics. The tickets are printed on large format sheetfed offset printing presses. The benefits include:
- High visual quality
- Full color CMYK printing
- Works on a wide array of paper types
- Medium to high print volume capacity
The challenges with lithographic printing include longer lead times and setup costs for the printing plates. It is best suited for tickets that do not require frequent design changes.
Digital Inkjet Printing
Inkjet printing uses no plates – tickets are printed directly from a digital file using microscopic ink droplets sprayed onto the paper. The benefits of inkjet include:
- High resolution full color printing
- Fast setup and changeover between print jobs
- Ability to print on odd paper shapes and thicknesses
- Short runs and print on demand capabilities
The limitations include slower overall print speeds and higher ink costs compared to lithographic printing. As the technology improves, inkjet continues displacing lithographic printing for more concert ticket jobs.
Thermal Printing
As discussed earlier, thermal printing uses chemically coated paper and a heated printhead to form images. Benefits include:
- Very fast print speeds
- No dry time required
- Lower printer costs
- Ideal for on-demand printing at the venue
Thermal printing limitations include lower image quality, fewer substrate options, and lack of security features. But it remains a viable option for basic concert tickets.
Hybrid Printing
For maximum security and visual impact, printers often combine multiple printing techniques on one ticket. A typical hybrid approach is:
- Thermal or inkjet printing of variable ticket info like the barcode and numbering.
- Offset or inkjet printing of the static graphics and images.
- Finishing techniques like die cutting, embossing, or hologram application.
Combining printing technologies allows printers to optimize cost, throughput, and security. This hybrid approach is growing in popularity for high end concert tickets.
Finishing and Embellishments
Printing is just the beginning – from there tickets move into finishing processes like:
Coatings – Gloss, matte, and textured varnishes add protection and an enhanced look and feel.
Foil stamping – Metallic foil applied via hot stamping provides a glittery accent.
Embossing – Pressing a raised image into the ticket adds dimension.
Die cutting – Custom shaped tickets stand out from standard rectangles.
Holograms – Diffractive foil images provide security and visual intrigue.
Attachments – Rare tickets may have swatch cards, backstage passes, or other items physically attached.
Finishing can turn a standard printed ticket into a true collectible for fans. Concertgoers love the tactile experience of holding a ticket stub featuring special coatings, colors, and shapes. Creative embellishments separate ordinary tickets from unforgettable souvenirs.
Conclusion
Modern concert tickets have come a long way since the days of simple cardstock stubs. Specialty paper suppliers offer hundreds of options to select the perfect weight, texture, and color. Printers leverage cutting edge digital, offset, and hybrid technologies to create tickets with stunning photographic quality. And imaginative finishing techniques add shine, dimension, and uniqueness.
The result is an explosion of innovative and artistic ticket stubs that turn live events into opportunities for creativity. Fans have come to expect keepsake-worthy ticket stubs as part of the concert experience. Fusing art, science, and security, the simple concert ticket has been elevated into a collectible artform.