Your browser is out of date.

You are currently using Internet Explorer 7/8/9, which is not supported by our site. For the best experience, please use one of the latest browsers.

About Us Blog Houston Printing Paper: What's Suitable For Your Printer Unit?

Learn About The Different Types Of Office Printing Paper In Houston

There are many kinds of printing papers that are used within offices, and you might struggle to figure out which ones to buy. Different papers are made to be used for different purposes and some paper can only be used with one type of printer. With that said, you'll want to learn about some of the different types of papers out there. They include paper for:

Laser Printers

  • Laser Paper- Laser paper is designed to be used for only laser printers. The paper is made specific types of materials and features. This type of paper is good for mailing labels, checks and printing addresses.
  • Bright White Paper- a Bright white paper is typically used to print documents. It's ideal for printing texts, simple images and things of that nature. Not only that, but the paper can print via double-sided or duplex.

Inkjet Printers

  • Matte Paper- This paper is good for inkjet printers. It can be used for general use and daily use. It has a surface that allows inks to dry rapidly.
  • Glossy Paper- Some people think the glossy paper is a photo paper, but it's different. It can smudge easily, but it's still good for general use. The ink does take a bit of time to dry when you use this paper to print.
  • Photo Paper- This paper is designed for photos. It has a surface that is coated with a gloss-like substance. However, the paper does allow the ink to dry very fast, and it's available in different weights, sizes and coating options.
  • Card stock- This is another kind of paper that is commonly used. It's great for crafts and arts because it has a thick surface. Some of the best things it can be used for include printing out signage, greeting cards and business cards to name a few.

Printing Papers: Things To Consider When Buying Them

There are several things to consider when purchasing printing paper. This is regardless if you're using it in the office or at home. Some of the top things to consider include:

  • The Brightness- Papers have different contrast and reflective capabilities. The brightness also refers to how the ink holds, as well as the toner once the print job is completed. One through 100 is what the brightness receives as a rating.
  • The Rating- The higher the rating, the higher the quality of the paper. Office paper typically has a brightness rating of between 80 to 100. Photocopy paper usually has a 92 score rating. Meanwhile, the premium type of photocopy paper has a rating of 96 or 97, on average.
  • The Finish- You need to consider the finish, which is the texture of the surface. The finish can affect the toner and ink, as well as the paper's resistance to tearing. The higher the paper's rating, the lower the quality. With that said, there are five main kinds of finishing qualities, with one being gloss. The others include matte, dull, silk and cast coat.
  • The Weight- This is how thick and heavy the paper is. It's measured in GSM. Generally speaking, the more the paper weighs, the more sturdy it will be. People often choose heavy paper when they want to print catalogs, card stock, and postcards and things of that nature. The 20 pounds paper category is what a lot of people typically use.
  • The Opacity- Opacity is how transparent the paper is and it measures how much light can be passed through the paper. In general, prints are less likely to be visible on the other side of the paper if the paper is thick. If it's thin, the chances are the print will be very visible on the other side of the paper.
  • The Texture- The texture of the paper is all about how the surface of the paper feels. Paper sometimes is coated and other times it is not coated, but whether it's coated or not is determined during the manufacturing process. Bond papers have surfaces that are not textured, and this type of paper is good for office print jobs and home print jobs.
  • Paper Size- There are many sizes that paper comes in. Some of the most common sizes include letter size, legal paper size, and tabloid size. Other sides include Super Size, which is print paper that is very wide and it is the equivalent to four letter-size papers.

Other sizes include A4 paper, which is the standard size in most countries across Europe. A5 is another size, which is the standard size for paper books and notebooks in Europe. Remember, different sizes typically serve different print purposes. What we normally see in offices in regards to printing faxes, documents, presentations and so forth, that's usually letter size paper. This paper is called an A size and it is the standard size of paper used in America. Other countries, the standard letter size is A4, while A5 print paper is referred to as the standard size for items such as notebooks.

Document Printing: What Is The Best Paper To Use

As previously discussed, the different print paper is used for different purposes. They all have different sizes, values, and materials. Using the right paper means you can get the best results, save a bit of money and save on using other resources, including energy. Bond paper is a good choice if you want a paper that can be used to print out documents from your office or home. The surface isn't coated and the toner and ink absorb right into it. Just make sure you buy paper within the previously mentioned guidelines because it is important to use only paper of high quality, otherwise, your print projects might turn out to be nothing like you had hoped. For more information on some of your other options for office supplies, please contact us or call now! Visit our blog for more related articles!