{"id":15815,"date":"2015-09-18T11:56:37","date_gmt":"2015-09-18T10:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tonergiant.co.uk\/blog\/?page_id=15815"},"modified":"2025-02-28T12:40:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T12:40:58","slug":"buying-guide-printer-paper","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tonergiant.co.uk\/blog\/buying-guide\/buying-guide-printer-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying Guide: Printer Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Buying Guide: Printer Paper<\/h1>\n

Whatever would we do without paper? Books, newspapers, invoices, loo roll \u2013 never has a single material been so diverse, so useful and so invaluable.<\/p>\n

Despite an astronomic rise in all things digital, paper is as indispensable a commodity as ever \u2013 particularly for those reliant on home or business printing. In fact, there are currently more paper variations than ever before, something that often makes buying the stuff rather difficult.<\/p>\n

To help you decide which printer paper is right for you, we\u2019ve put together this specialist buying guide, which includes information on different paper types and specialist features to consider before you buy.<\/p>\n

\"multifunction<\/p>\n

Paper Types<\/h2>\n

Matte Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most commonly used printer paper; matte paper is characterised by its dull, lustreless coating and smooth surface finish. Thanks to the texture and absorbency of matte paper, ink dries quickly on its surface \u2013 reducing the risk of smears and blemishes.<\/p>\n

Glossy Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coated in a high-shine polymer, glossy printer papers produce rich, vibrant colour and impeccable detail \u2013 making them an excellent choice for printing sharp, full colour photographs. The downside to glossy paper is that ink tends to dry slowly on its surface, increasing the likelihood of smudges and smears.<\/p>\n

Bright White Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sure, standard copy paper is white, but it isn\u2019t as white as bright white paper. This specially developed paper features a non-textured surface and a brilliant white coating \u2013 making it perfect for professional, corporate use when you require more image and text definition.<\/p>\n

Copier & Laser Printer Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

Copier paper<\/a> is the most commonly used type of printer paper; the stuff you purchase in large packs and stockpile beside your printer. It\u2019s thin, lightweight and 75% opaque, and often has a matte coating for faster drying times.<\/p>\n

Inkjet Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

You guessed it \u2013 inkjet paper<\/a> is specially designed for use with inkjet printers. In truth, the term is rather broad, and can be applied to any paper capable of running through an inkjet machine \u2013 including photo paper, glossy paper and business card paper.<\/p>\n

Listing Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

Designed for use with dot-matrix, line printers and other machines with the appropriate paper-feed mechanism; listing paper is a continuous ream of sheets connected by a perforated seam. Given that the paper can be continuously fed, it\u2019s ideal for business use when speed and performance are key.<\/p>\n

Photo Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n

In essence, photo paper<\/a> is just another type of glossy paper \u2013 albeit, with a few subtle differences. Photo paper is usually glossy on one side only, and has a much higher weight than other glossy papers. It\u2019s often brighter too, enabling sharper image definition.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Paper Features<\/h2>\n

Coating<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whilst some printer papers are left raw and uncoated, others are coated in a special polymer layer \u2013 which is used to give the material its specific properties. Depending on your specific printing project, you\u2019ll need to choose the coated printer paper that\u2019s right for you \u2013 whether that be glossy, smooth or matte.<\/p>\n

Brightness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Printer papers vary greatly in terms of brightness. Typically, paper brightness is measured on a 0-100 scale \u2013 with 80-100 being the ballpark for a premium quality paper. Generally, the brighter the paper, the better a print will look \u2013 no matter what type of printer you use.<\/p>\n

Weight<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paper thickness is measured in weight \u2013 more specifically, in grams. Whilst a standard copy sheet will weigh around 75 grams, mid-weight card or poster paper can weigh anywhere from 90 grams to 150 grams. Remember \u2013 the higher the weight, the thicker the paper.<\/p>\n

Opacity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another important consideration when purchasing printer paper is its opacity. Opacity is measured on a 0-100 scale, with 0 being translucent and 100 being opaque. Often, the heavier the paper, the more opaque it will be.<\/p>\n