The greater the paper weight, the heavier, thicker, and sturdier the paper is. Look for 20lb. paper for general office copying and printing. For important documents and when printing image-rich documents, opt for 24 lb. paper or heavier.
BrightnessThe brighter the paper is, the whiter it is. A high brightness rating is particularly important when printing image-rich documents; look for a brightness rating of 96 or greater. For general office copying and printing, a brightnessrating of 92 will suffice.
Machine TypeAs technology has advanced, so has paper. You can now purchase paper specifically made for your type of business machine - and it will likely perform better. For example, laser paper is specifically designed to hold toner better than copy paper - ensuring splotch-free, fade-resistant text and high-resolution images.
PriceYou might be tempted to purchase the cheapest paper available, but slightly-more expensive paper typically offers enhanced features, including:
Curl and moisture resistance, which helps prevent paper jams,
High opacity, which allows you to print on both sides (ultimately saving money and paper),
Acid free properties, which makes the paper archive safe (it won't yellow and crumble over time)