Paper — Key Considerations

In order to pick the best paper for your business printing needs consider the following:

Weight

The greater the paper weight, the heavier, thicker, and sturdier the paper is. Look for 20 lb. paper for general office copying and printing. For important documents and when printing image–rich documents, opt for 24 lb. paper or heavier.

Brightness

The 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 92 or greater. For general office copying and printing, a brightness rating of 84–90 will suffice.

Machine type

As 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. In the chart below you can see the difference among various paper types.

Type of paper	Paperweight	Brightness
Printing and copy	20–22 lbs.	84–96
Inkjet	20–24 lbs.	90–100+
Laser	24–32 lbs.	92–98+
Photo	28–146 lbs.	89–96

Price

You 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),

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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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