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Learn More About Paper

What kind of paper do you need?

Printing and copy paper

Ideal for: Most office machines including copiers, laser and inkjet printers, plain–paper faxes, and multifunction machines.

Key features:

Paper weight of 20 to 22 lbs.
Brightness ranges from 84 to 96. For maximum readability and resolution of images opt for a high brightness rating.
Look for acid–free to avoid crumbling and yellowing when archiving documents.
Paper made with moisture and curl control will help prevent copier and printer jams.
For two–sided copies, opt for high–opacity paper, which is less see–through. Paper that is heavier and brighter will give you more opacity.

What’s available: Letter (most commonly used size), legal, ledger, and three–hole punched, as well as a variety of colors.

Tip: Offices and homes that do not use paper quickly should look for resealable, burst–proof packages, which help protect paper from dirt and moisture.

Inkjet paper

Ideal for: Inkjet printers. This paper, printing and copy paper, is specially designed to help prevent blurring and smearing that can occur when printing with wet ink. Inkjet paper also keeps the ink on top of the sheet for brighter colors and sharper images.

Key features:

Paper weight from 20 to 24 lbs.
Brightness ranges from 90 to 100+. For maximum readability and resolution of images opt for a high brightness rating.
Look for acid–free to avoid crumbling and yellowing when archiving documents.
Paper made with moisture and curl control will help prevent copier and printer jams.
For two–sided copies, opt for high–opacity paper, which is less see–through. Paper that is heavier and brighter will give you more opacity.

What’s available: Coated (offers a smooth surface and higher opacity) and uncoated. Coated paper offers better image resolution. Some people prefer a glossy–coated sheet, while others prefer a matte–coated sheet that gives you the same quality without the glare. Uncoated is more economical and suitable for most general printing needs.

Tip: Offices and homes that do not use paper quickly should look for resealable, burst–proof packages, which help protect paper from dirt and moisture.

Photo-quality paper

Ideal for: Printing photographs from your inkjet printer. Add a photo to letters, reports, flyers, announcements, newsletters, brochures, birthday and holiday cards, invitations, announcements, personalized stationery, place cards, awards, gift tags, and address labels.

Key features:

Paper weight ranges from 28 lbs. to 125 lbs. (150 grams) or higher. Some photo paper is also described in mil. (for example 9 mil.) The higher the mil. rating the thicker the paper is. Heavier and thicker paper is more durable.
Specially coated to absorb the heavy ink load and coverage of photos.
Photo quality paper is available with a matte, satin, or glossy finish. All offer high resolution of images.
Some photo–quality paper works best with a specific dpi settings. Be sure to check and see if the paper requires a 360–dpi, 720–dpi, 1440–dpi, or 2800–dpi setting. Your photos will print faster at a 360 dpi or 720 dpi, but typically have better resolution with a 1440 dpi or 2800 dpi.
Look for photo–quality paper that is smear–proof, water–resistant, and dries instantly.
Some photo–quality paper comes with a self–adhesive back, perfect for creating signs, stickers, and labels
If you plan to print photos on both sides of the paper, be sure to buy a package that specifically says 2–sided photo–quality paper.
Look for acid–free, resin–coated paper or long print life to avoid crumbling, yellowing, and fading when archiving photos.

What’s available: Paper size is typically 8 1/2" x 11". To prevent waste, opt for sheets that are micro–perforated to produce more than one picture per sheet, leaving smooth edges.

Laser paper

Ideal for: Laser printers. This smooth paper is designed to hold toner better than printing and copy paper. It helps ensure splotch–free, fade–resistant text with crisp, straight lines. Provides optimum, jam–free results.

Key features:

Paper weight of 24 to 32 lbs. Choose a laser paper that weighs 32 lbs. when printing presentations, important letters, contracts, etc.
Brightness ranges from 90 to 98+. For maximum readability and resolution of images opt for a high brightness rating.
Paper made with moisture and curl control will help prevent copier and printer jams.
For two–sided copies, opt for high–opacity paper, which is less see–through. Paper that is heavier and brighter will give you more opacity.

Tip: Offices and homes that do not go through paper quickly should look for resealable, burst–proof packages, which help protect paper from dirt and moisture.

Recycled paper

Ideal for: A variety of office tasks.

Key features:

Recycled paper comes in a range of 10% to 100% post–consumer recycled content. Paper with a high amount of post–consumer recycled content will generally cost more.
Paper weight ranges from 20 to 22 lbs.
Brightness ranges from 84 to 96. For maximum readability and resolution of images opt for a high brightness rating.
Choose a brightness rating and paper weight that is appropriate to the machine for which the paper will be used (copier, fax, all–in–one, printer, etc.).
Acid–free to avoid crumbling and yellowing when archiving documents.
Paper made with moisture and curl control will help prevent copier and printer jams.
For two–sided copies, opt for high–opacity paper, which is less see–through. Paper that is heavier and brighter will give you more opacity.

What’s available: Copy, laser, inkjet, and multipurpose paper, as well as colored paper, card stock, business stationery, notepads, notebooks, and message pads.

Why buy: Buying recycled paper is a popular way to help protect our environment. Recycled papers can compete with virgin fiber papers in the categories of brightness, appearance, and functionality.

Colored paper

Ideal for: General printing, fax printouts, announcements, color coding, organization, awards, banners, invitations, signs, menus, flyers, certifications, and any document you want to grab the reader’s attention.

Key features:

Paper weight ranges from 20 to 65 lbs. The heavier the paper the more durable it is.
For two–sided copies, opt for high–opacity paper, which is less see–through. Paper that is heavier and brighter will give you more opacity.
Choose acid–free to avoid crumbling and yellowing when archiving documents.
Paper made with moisture and curl control will help prevent copier and printer jams.

What’s available: A variety of bright and pastel colors. All are compatible with copiers, laser and inkjet printers, and plain–paper fax machines.

Stationery and fine business paper

Ideal for: Resumes, letterhead, presentations, and desktop publishing. Matching envelopes are available.

Key features:

Choose acid–free to avoid crumbling and yellowing when archiving documents.
Paper weight of 24 lbs. will offer adequate paper strength and durability for general office. For presentations and other important office documents, opt for 32 lbs. or more.
Select stationery with a watermark to give the paper an added professional look.

Tip: Look for laser or inkjet compatibility for jam–free printing.

Brochure paper

Ideal for: Sales, marketing, and presentation materials.

Key features:

Paper weight ranges from 20 to 32 lbs. Opt for a high paper weight for repeat handling and allows two–sided printing.
For maximum readability and resolution of images, choose a matte–coated finish and a brightness rating of 90 or higher.
Choose acid–free to avoid crumbling and yellowing when archiving documents.
Scored paper helps ensure evenly folded brochures and saves time.

Tip: If you're designing the brochures yourself, look for paper that is compatible with popular computer programs, such as Microsoft® Word and WordPerfect®.

Thermal fax paper

Ideal for: Fax machines that require thermal fax paper.
Note: Most newer fax machines use plain copy or multipurpose paper.

Key features:

Look for thermal paper with curl resistance.
Thermal fax paper is difficult to write on and tends to fade over time. If you plan to make notes, look for paper with a low–gloss surface that is suited for pen and pencil markings.

What’s available: Rolls and packages of individual sheets.

The information contained in this article is only an overview of the subject matter made for general guidance to the reader, and is subject in all cases to limitations and disclaimers set forth in Staples' Legal Terms and Conditions.

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