The main thing to understand is that the differences between uncoated, matte, and gloss are primarily the amount of coating that is applied to the paper.
The following image was taken with all 4 paper coatings to get an idea of what the differences are. The descriptions below will help clarify the differences that might not be noticeably apparent in the photograph.
Uncoated Paper
Uncoated paper is just what it sounds like -- paper that has no excess coating or newspaper finishing. Since there is no coating, there's absolutely no glare on the surface. This makes it ideal for prints that have a lot of text or reading materials. Since there's absolutely no coating, this is the most porous paper, which is the best for smudge-less writing with the widest range of pens and pencils when compared to other finishes. All bond inventory paper is uncoated.
Matte Coated Paper
Matte paper has a light coating which offers a boost to the contrast to images but results in little warmth. In the picture above, the matte coating did not provide much glare once the photo was taken. The matte coating provides a smoother presentation than an uncoated sheet and thicker than the overall look of a glossy sheet. Matte sheets are great for improving visual designs with a more subdued design and color set with a good deal of glare which glossy coatings have problems with. Pen ink will not smear on matte coating, making it the ideal choice for calendars and journals.
Gloss Coated Paper
Gloss coated paper provides a good deal of shine, which results in a greater contrast and color gamut than other newspapers. This coating is very good for full colour graphics where the color has to"pop". This coating gives a very wonderful finish and professional look for marketing materials or any other kinds of prints that want to show off the color.
UV Gloss Coating
UV Gloss coating is our premium coating which makes pictures really stick out. It really enhances color contrast and makes those vibrant colors pop out, more so than regular gloss. As you can see from the image above, our UV coating provides a much greater glow than our gloss papers. UV Gloss isn't a paper type, but an additional coating added to a gloss or matte paper type.