There is a huge array of paper available to buy and it can be difficult to decide what the correct type of paper to choose is.
There are so many sizes, weights and types of paper for your printer so this helpful guide should assist you finding a suitable paper, whether it be for the office or home, for everyday printing or professional presentations.
Laser, Inkjet or Copier Paper?
For best results when printing it is important that you choose the correct type of paper for your printer/copier/fax. Listed below is a short description which should assist you:
Multifunctional Paper – For everyday use, this paper can be used for everything from high volume copying, presentations and reports and correspondence.
Laser Paper – Ideal for optimum performance for use with laser printers Copier Paper – Ideal for use with copiers and ideal for high volume copying and printing Inkjet Paper – Ideal for optimum performance for use with any inkjet printer Mono Laser/Copier/Inkjet – Suitable for use with any machine which only prints in Mono. Colour copier/laser Paper – For best results when printing in colour. The recommended choice of paper when printing coloured graphics, presentations, brochures and newsletters.
Sizes of Paper
Paper comes in a variety of sizes and is listed in international paper (ISO) size system.
Paper sizes range from A0 (being the largest) through to A8. Probably the most common and most familiar to all is A4 size paper as this is what is often used for letters, memos and other documents. A3 is the next size up from A4 and is an ideal size for presentation and large graphics.
Weights & Thicknesses of Paper
The weight or thickness of the paper is measured is grams per square metre (gsm). The greater the gsm of a sheet of paper, the thicker the paper is. The most common weight of paper for everyday use is 80gsm, and more professional jobs 100gsm-120gsm.
Here are just some of the weights of paper that can be found – 75gsm, 80gsm, 90gsm, 100gsm, 120gsm, 160gsm, 180gsm, 200gsm
Other Types of Paper Supplies
Prestige Paper – Sometimes you need paper which is just that little bit special. Prestige paper is ideal for Letter headed paper, letters, CVs and any other type of important document.
Coloured Paper – Colour paper can be a great way to easily organise your office documents by simply assigning a colour to a department or document type.
Recycled Paper – If you have concerns about the environmental impact paper has on the environment you need not worry as most paper products now conform to some sort of environmental standard. Paper can be found in anything up to 100% recycled and much of the paper on sale these days is FSC sourced.
Photo Paper – Similar to normal paper, photo paper should be treated in the same way when looking for the best results. i.e. use Photo Laser Paper in Laser printers. Photo paper comes in the following finishes: Matt, Gloss, High Gloss, Semi Gloss, Satin Matt & Photo Matt.
Mark Meader works for Crane ‘the office supplies people’. Crane offer all types of office supplies including paper, avery labels and pens through to laminating machines and shredders as well as an extensive range of recycled office products.
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