Coated paper has a glossy or matte finish. Coated paper is generally very smooth and can be either very shiny (high gloss) or have a subtle shine (matte). Either way, coated paper will have a great effect on the appearance and usefulness of the printed item. Coated paper is more resistant to dirt, moisture and wear. It also makes the printed material more shiny. That is why it is generally used in the printing of magazines, book covers, glossy photos and art books. Coating restricts the amount of ink that is absorbed by the paper and how the ink bleeds into the paper. This is desirable for sharp and complex images as the ink stays on top of the paper and will not wick or bleed reducing the sharpness of the printed material. This same property can be unattractive for the back of business cards as the coated paper does not take well to pen ink or pencil and many people like to write on the back of business cards.