When buying paper for your office, you must consider the use of the paper. Are you going to use it for your printer, fax or copier? We have put together a guide to finding the right paper for your office based on its intended use.
Copier paper is usually a lightweight paper also known as reprographic paper, copier paper, dual-purpose, or xerographic paper. It is generally thin allowing for larger amounts of paper to fit in the copier at one time. The paper’s weight is specified by basis weight in pounds (# or lb.) and most frequently used copier paper has a basis weight of 20 lbs. Most printing equipment is calibrated with a certain thickness, which is measured in ten thousandths of an inch. U.S. copiers most frequently use 8-1/2" x 11" paper, but other sizes are available such as 8-1/2" x 14" and 11" x 17". Another option with copier paper is to find recycled paper which is virtually indistinguishable from non-recycled paper.
Paper that is used in computer printers comes in many different forms such as inkjet paper, laser paper, and photo paper. Additionally, Printer paper is available in Matte or Glossy finishes. Matte paper has a bright white coating that dries quickly and is recommended for everyday printing. Glossy paper has a shiny coating that absorbs ink for spontaneous drying and is commonly used for printing photographs, posters, and other images. Inkjet paper is best used with inkjet printers, which is ideal for producing high resolution photos. Laser paper is usually used with laser printers and is ideal for creating checks and labels. Photo paper is used in many homes and offices today to print out digital pictures. Photo paper produces a glossy finish and allows for ink to dry quickly.
Computer paper is used to describe any type of paper that is used with computer printers. Besides from the types listed above, it also refers to the continuous sheets of paper that are used in dot matrix printers. This type of computer paper may be completely white or have green stripes to ease the reading of data. Both single-part and multi-part computer paper formats are available.
Copy paper and printer paper have many different properties that affect the quality of the output. Choosing the right paper will ensure that you get the best results. So you must consider the paper’s weight, brightness, opacity, and smoothness.
Paper weight refers to the weight of a 500-sheet ream of 17" x 22" paper. The higher the paper weight means thicker and more durable paper. Standard 20# paper is used for everyday printing and copying, and for high-volume needs. Heavier paper is used for presentations and other applications where quality is important.
Contrast (brightness) is a key element between the toner or ink and the paper. The whiter the paper the better your copies will look. Most paper will have a brightness rating between 80 and 100. (Higher numbers represent brighter paper)
Opacity is a measure of how well a material prevents light from passing through it. Standard 20# copier paper is somewhat translucent, while heavier papers are more opaque.
Paper’s smoothness (texture) varies by application. Laser printers and copiers use heat and toner to produce text and images. They require a smoother paper for crisp results. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, use water-based ink. They benefit from textured paper which allows the ink to dry faster, reduces bleeding, and produces sharper output.
When choosing paper, be sure to use the right paper for your machine. For inkjet and laser printers look at opacity and smoothness. If you will be printing images or creating publications, choose a heavier weight paper with extra brightness. Special photo, greeting card, and other specialty papers are also available.
