Will glossy brochures smudge if I write on them?

They can. Ballpoint ink dries slowly on a coated glossy surface, so it smears if someone writes on it right away. If your brochure needs to be written on, matte is the better base.

• Glossy: ink sits on top and takes longer to dry, which invites smudging
• Matte: absorbs ink quickly and cleanly, ideal for note-taking
• Use case: forms, appointment fields or personalization all favor matte
• Tip: if you want gloss overall, leave a matte or uncoated panel for writing