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Type of print paper


6 Different Types of Paper for Printing

When you think about it, paper signifies almost all our most monumental moments in life. 

From birth (birth certificate) to graduation (diploma), to marriage (marriage certificate), there is one commonality: You will get a piece of paper to document the occasion.  

While somebody who just got married may not give one thought as to what type of paper their certificate is, as a business, it’s crucial to know the type of paper you need to print/copy documents on your machine. 

This is because using the wrong type of paper on your printer can cause paper jams or poor-quality prints, as well as wasted money when you discover that you bought the wrong type of paper and need to purchase the right one.  

We’ve learned a lot (probably too much) about printer paper during our almost four decades in the printer/copier industry and want to fully inform you on what you need to know about the different types of printer paper and the features you need to be aware of.  

After reading this, you should have a solid idea of the type of paper you need for your machine, so you won’t be left guessing when you need to go out and purchase printer paper.  

Free Guide: Complete Guide to Purchasing or Leasing a Printer for Your Business

Printer Paper vs. Copy Paper  

Printer paper is simply paper that is designed for printing, and there are six common types, which will go over in detail in the next section.  

However, some people get confused about if printer paper is the same as copy paper, and if they can use copy paper to print documents or not.  

There are a couple of differences you need to know when it comes to printer and copy paper. They include: 

  • Printer paper is usually around 24 pounds and copy paper is around 20 pounds, according to Office Ink Blog.   

  • Printer paper is usually slightly more expensive than copy paper.   

  • Copy paper is mainly used for everyday printing and printer paper is typically used for printing documents with images or documents that need to be a little higher quality.  

The 6 Different Types of Printer Paper 

Now that you know the difference between printer paper and copy paper, let’s go over the six different types of printer paper you need to be aware of:  

  1. Regular Matte Paper 

Regular matte paper is the most common type of paper used to print documents and will suit most basic print jobs.   

You can think of this paper as the classic “copy paper” we discussed in the previous section. It’s not shiny, and the smooth matte texture helps to absorb ink and quickly dry so that you can avoid smudges and smears.   

  1. Glossy Paper 

This is the shiny stuff. Glossy paper is coated with a polymer that gives it that smooth shine and allows it to give a richer color output that’s more vibrant than regular paper.   

This paper can be used to print photographs or vibrant images, but it does have a much longer dry time than regular paper, so you might experience some smudges if handled incorrectly. As a best practice, it’s best to only print glossy paper with a laser printer. 

Example of glossy paper, courtesy of Hygloss Products:

  1. Bright White Paper 

Now I know regular paper might seem white, but this paper has specially formulated features to give it an exceptionally smooth surface, and a brilliant white coating.  

It’s what you can consider “fancy copy paper”, and it delivers an aesthetic presentation, which is great for documents that have photos that you’d like a vibrant finish for without a glossy shine.   

  1. Photo Paper 

Photo paper, as the name suggests, is designed primarily for printing photographs or pictures.  

If you think of the last time that you held a photograph printed on photo paper, you can probably remember that the front and back have very different textures and appearances.  It usually has a high-gloss sheen on one side, and a matte on the other side, and is thicker than most other types of paper.   

  1. Heavyweight Paper 

The most common type of heavyweight paper is cardstock, which you may have heard of before since it is a common paper term among print consumers.  

However, there are several different weights of paper that you can choose from, which will determine the thickness of the paper. When you think of paperweight, think of a piece of paper that’s thin, or thick and hard to bend.   

Pro-Tip: When selecting heavyweight paper, you need to be careful about the paper your copier/printer can handle, and which tray is recommended for such paperweight.    

  1. Inkjet Paper 

The last common type of printer paper you need to know about is inkjet paper, which is simply paper designed to specifically work with inkjet printers, which are smaller desktop printers.   

Inkjet printers use liquid toner as opposed to laser printers that work with a dry (powder-like) toner. Read our blog on the differences between inkjet and laser printers to learn more.  

3 Different Printer Paper Features 

Now that you’ve seen the six different types of printer paper, let’s go over one more thing you need to know about printer paper—its features. 

Printer paper has three primary features: Coating, brightness and weight. What do these three features mean as it relates to printer paper? Let’s go over them:  

  1. Coating 

Coating refers to a type of polymer, or synthetic substance, that’s layered onto the paper to make it glossy and bright.  

If you’ve ever seen a piece of paper that looks like it has a sheen to it, the coating of the paper is the reason behind that.   

  1. Brightness 

Brightness is exactly what it sounds like: It’s the way you measure how white and bright a page is.   

The brightness scale usually goes from 0-100, with 80-100 being the sweet spot for quality prints. The general rule of thumb to remember is that the brighter the paper, the better the quality and look of the overall print job.   

  1. Weight 

Weight refers to the thickness and weight of the paper and is usually measured in grams.   

While paperweight can vary drastically; the most common paperweights are regular paper at 75 grams or 20 lbs (like the copy paper mentioned in the first section.) Cardstock is the most frequently used “thick” paper and is usually around 176 grams or 65 lbs.  

Understanding why grams and pounds are used to measure paper can get confusing, and other weight definitions like cover paper, bond or GSM can also come into play, confounding your confusion.  

Read Paris Corporation’s Paper Weight Guide if you’re interested in learning more about the weight of paper and how to choose the right one for your project. 

What Else Should You Learn About Your Printer? 

Getting the right printer paper for your printer will be far from the most important task you undertake during your daily workday.  

However, if you get the wrong kind, it could become an issue that causes both frustration and annoyance because buying the wrong printer paper can lead to paper jams and wasted money. 

To help figure out which type of paper is right for you, buy the smallest sample size of the type of paper you’re interested in and test it out to see if you like the results. If not, try out a different one and keep looking until you’re satisfied.  

As a long-time print vendor, we know that there is a lot that goes into making sure your machine is properly maintained so it’ll last in your office for the long haul. 

And we’ve learned over our years of dealing with customers that the most important thing to having a sustainable office machine is education and choosing the right printer paper is just one aspect of owning a printer.   

Read our blog on the eight tips to increase the lifespan of your copier/printer to learn more about the ways you can get the most out of your machine, and ultimately, make it last longer.  

The Ultimate Guide to the Different Types of Paper for Printing

There are many different paper types you can use for your projects. They vary in composition, design, purpose and even weight and thickness. Each one offers bespoke design options you can utilise in your print. Because of this, each type is exciting in its own way. 

You need to choose the right type for your print projects. So what types of paper for printing are available to you? Let’s explore eight of them.

  •  
  • Matte Coated and Gloss Coated Paper
  • Silk Coated Paper
  • Bond Paper 
  • Quick Fact: How Is Paper Made?
  • Uncoated Paper
  • Carbon-balanced Paper
  • Watermarked Paper
  • A Guide to Paper Weights

Matte Coated and Gloss Coated Paper

Matte coated and gloss coated paper are two sides of a visually-appealing coin. Gloss paper has an incredibly high shine and a smooth tactile feel. It’s a popular choice for leaflets and flyers because it enhances colours. 

Image credit: Oh Magazine

Matte is the opposite. It has a muted surface that refracts light subtly and evenly, reducing any glare. It also has a soft, textured feel to it.

Matte coated paper is very popular when used to create magazines, books and other larger copy-based print, as it lacks the reflective ability of gloss coated paper. In contrast to gloss, matte coated paper is also really easy to write on.

Silk Coated Paper

Silk coated paper is the medium between gloss and matte coated. It’s a great paper type for printing on. It has the smooth feel of glossy paper but without the shine. It’s made by binding silk fibres together, creating quite a luxurious feel.

Image credit: Awagami

As magazines are commonly read using electric light, gloss coated paper can sometimes be difficult to read due to the glare caused by its reflectiveness. Silk coated paper avoids this but also still carries the premium feel that gloss-coated paper can possess.

That being said, tastes are changing. Silk and matte coated paper options are becoming more and more popular and are associated with independent brands who want to retain a minimalist aesthetic. 

When combined with a LED UV printing process, silk-coated paper provides a brilliant ink to paper contrast. This type of paper is a true luxury item and you won’t find it used in everyday brochures.

Bond Paper 

Bond paper is a durable, robust and long-lasting paper type. 

Image credit: Lifewire

As it lacks a coating, it has the advantage of easily being used for printers or pen-use. Although, this is also a disadvantage. It might be prone to damage such as tears, scuffs and stains as it's uncoated.

Quick Fact: How Is Paper Made?

If you really want to know the exciting process behind the way paper is made, you're in luck. To make paper, cellulose fibres are extracted from various natural sources such as wood and cotton.

They’re blended into a pulp with water, flattened and dried then cut into sheets. The process varies for different types of paper and a lot of them have different properties.

Now for more paper types and some important information on weights.

Uncoated Paper

Similar to bond paper, uncoated paper is also typically found in office printers. It has no coating at all which makes it the perfect medium for ink use and absorbency.

Image credit: BP & O

Because it lacks a coating, it has the advantage of easily being used for printers or pen-use. Although, this is also a disadvantage - as it’s uncoated, it might be more susceptible to damage such as tears, scuffs and stains.

Carbon-balanced Paper

Carbon-balanced paper is unique. This is where the paper has been evaluated for how much CO2 has been emitted during its production and transportation. It’s a simple and effective way for organisations to reduce the environmental footprints of their printed media.

Some print providers have opted for carbon offsetting techniques at the point of manufacture to make sure the paper they use is carbon neutral. 

Image credit: The Infographic Energy Transitioning Colouring Book

Carbon offsetting is done through techniques such as giving forests a protected status, locking in the carbon that would have eventually been released through burning or destruction. These protected forests continue to absorb carbon from the atmosphere through their growth. 

Watermarked Paper

Watermarked paper is a great way of representing your company and offers a more bespoke paper type for printing with. It contains an identifying image or pattern which can be seen when viewed in certain lights. 

Image credit: MarketWatch

Watermarks are perceived as sophisticated and professional when used in printed documents. It’s most commonly used in currency as it’s the perfect way to guard against counterfeiting or forgery.

For a more cosmetic style of watermark, you can use embossing and debossing, laid papers and hammered papers to create a bespoke watermarked feature. This gives your paper that unique touch which you only find with premium brands.

A Guide to Paper Weights

Paper weights vary. The technical definition for the weight of paper how much a sheet of paper with a surface area of one square metre. It’s measured in grams per square metre (gsm). Along with different paper types, it’s a way of distinguishing different papers on the market.

The weight of paper is often decided by its thickness but it can also be affected by other attributes such as:

  • A high wood fibre content can increase the thickness and weight of paper.
  • To achieve certain visual and tactile results, some paper processors include additives to the pulp. 
  • The type of processing used can affect the density of the paper, with a higher density pulp creating thinner paper and a lower density pulp creating thicker paper.

Weight is important in print because the wrong weight of paper can lead to issues with print. For example, if you choose a very light paper for leaflets, you may be able to see through the sheet which ruins the look of the print on both sides.

So, let’s break down the different paper weights and what they’re good for:

  • 90gsm: This is uncoated paper and isn’t subjected to chemical treatments. It’s great for large quantities of text so it’s the perfect type for books, printing documents and headed paper.
  • 130gsm: This type is best used with a matte or gloss finish and ages very well. It’s the perfect paper weight type for posters, magazines, brochures and flyers.
  • 170gsm: This paper weight type is used for thin paperboard. It’s a versatile type of paper as it’s available in recycled versions, coated, matte or gloss finishes and even satin. It’s used primarily for catalogues, presentations, certificates and posters.
  • 350gsm: This paper weight type is ideal for business cards, covers and invitation cards as it’s a semi-rigid paperboard.
  • 380gsm: One of the heaviest paper types, 380gsm is best used for folders, packaging, rigid book covers, product tags and display covers.

With all these types of paper, the best option you can go for is to make use of the knowledge of an experienced print provider.

Prepare for Printing With Insights From Experts 

With deadlines looming and the clock ticking before you launch your online campaign, we could understand if making sure your file is a PDF is the least of your worries. 

Here at B&B Press, we’re always trying to make it easier for our customers. That’s why we’ve created a brilliant print guide to advise and inspire you through each stage of creating your print. 

For more tips on preparing artwork for print, you can contact an expert printing professional like B&B Press or download our ‘Guide to Creating Brilliant Print’ below.

What are the types of paper for printing

Paper is the main material used in printing. There are many different types of it, differing in the characteristics of and areas of use.

Let's talk about the most common printing papers.

Offset paper

This is uncoated paper. Use it to print calendars, notebooks, books, newspapers, promotional items, etc. Offset paper moisture resistant is tear-resistant and has high whiteness. Such sheets may be additionally calendered for smoothness.

Coated paper

This type of paper is already produced with an additional coating, which makes the sheet whiter, stronger and smoother. A distinctive characteristic of coated sheets is that they do not completely absorb ink, so the image on them is brighter, more saturated and contrast. This was the reason that the manufacturers of magazines, expensive catalogs, booklets, etc. fell in love with coated paper.

Coated paper available in matt and glossy. Accordingly, in the first case, it does not shine, and is more suitable for printing text, and in the second case, it favorably emphasizes multi-colored drawings.

Newsprint

When listing the types of printing paper, one cannot but mention newsprint. Unlike previous species, it has lower density and whiteness. However, this did not make it less common and in demand in the printing industry. Newsprint is much cheaper than other types, so it is used for printing inexpensive newspapers, brochures, and especially when you need to print a large circulation.

Design paper

Design paper differs from other papers by its variety of color palettes and unusual textures. Its cost is more expensive than the previous types of sheets, but there may be more difficulties with it. For example, sometimes design sheets are thicker, preventing them from being used on many typewriters. In addition, it is not always possible to apply UV varnish and screen printing. Such paper is most often used to create expensive printing products.

Kraft

Kraft is an environmentally friendly material, so it is used not only in printing, but also to create packaging for completely different types of goods. Kraft can be printed and used with a range of post-printing treatments. Recently, it is kraft that has become one of the most popular options for papers for printing.

office paper , which is used for printing documents, should be included in a separate category. Before ordering office paper, you need to understand that it is divided into classes and differs in whiteness, density and with an opacity of . If you need paper for printing drafts, it is better to choose cheaper class C paper, but if you need paper for contracts, agreements that must be stored for more than one year, you should buy class A sheets.

paper, it is important to understand its weight, as not all equipment can handle different weights.

Glossy paper weight:

Density-thickness
90 g/m2 - 0.06 mm
115 g/m2 - 0.08 mm
130 g/m2 - 0.09 mm
150 g/m2 - 0.1-0.11 mm
170 g/m2 - 0.12-0.125 mm
200 g/m2 - 0. 17 mm
250 g/m2 - 0.18-0.19 mm
300 g/m2 - 0.22 mm

matte paper:
90 g/m2 - 0.065 mm
115 g/m2 - 0.09 mm
130 g/m2 - 0.1-0.11 mm
150 g/m2 - 0.12-0.13 mm
170 g/m2 - 0.14 mm
200 g/m2 - 0.18-0.19 mm
250 g/m2 - 0.22-0.23 mm
300 g/m2 - 0.31 mm

Of course, it is difficult to understand the specifics of all types of papers, so UBI Pack Studio will be happy to help you! Give us a call and we'll help you find the right paper for your product.

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