Regardless of what it is you’re looking to print, chances are there is a specific type of paper suited for your printing needs. For the final product to end up looking just as sharp as you imagine it, it is worth taking the extra time to consider the different paper options available and making your selection wisely.
With all the different types of paper for printing, it can be a bit tricky to feel confident that you’re making the right choice. Below, you’ll find a handy guide that will take you through the various options and outline the defining characteristics of each.
Here are the ten different types of paper for printing:
1. Inkjet printer paper
Many people don’t realize this, but there are different types of paper for printing that work best for each printer. Inkjet printer paper is specifically designed to be most compatible with inkjet printers and to yield the best results in terms or quality, resolution, and colour.
Inkjet printer paper comes in a variety of forms depending on the project you’re looking to complete. You can find inkjet printer paper designed to print everything from business and greeting cards to different sizes of photos.
2. Laser printer paper
Like inkjet printer paper, laser printing paper works best when used with a laser printer. Unlike some of the craftier alternatives seen more commonly with inkjet, laser printer paper is most often seen in a business environment. It is intended to print quickly and doesn’t yield as high a quality in terms of colour saturation. Items frequently printed on laser printer paper include documents, cheques, and mailing labels.
3. Matte printer paper
Matte printer paper is probably the most common types of paper for printing. It is ideal for most standard printing tasks thanks to the fact that it provides fairly good quality and dries faster than other types of paper. The matte quality is what provides it with this characteristic and therefore it is the right paper to use for any documents that are needed in a hurry.
4. Glossy printer paper
Glossy printer paper serves as the perfect canvas for printing jobs involving images and photographs. While standard text won’t really benefit from glossy paper, it does have the capacity to produce super bright colours and very sharp images. This is due to the fact that the glossy surface absorbs ink a different way than matte paper and allows the images to come out with greater clarity.
5. Large printer paper
Large printer paper works very well for any printing jobs that require flexographic printing. It is smooth and non-textured, which along with the brightness of the paper, produces a bright and crisp image on the surface.
If you’re looking to print large-scale images, make sure you choose the right size and dimensions. You should also be careful when storing large printer paper, which can be quite fragile. Consider investing in flex storage solutions to keep your printer papers safe and sound.
6. Card stock printer paper
Most business cards and postcards are printed on cardstock printing paper. It is also very popular for various kinds of crafts and scrapbooking projects. The important difference here is that card stock paper is significantly studier than other alternatives, so it is able to stand up to a lot more wear and tear without appearing damaged or tattered. For items that are going to be passed around, carried, or meant to endure over time, card stock printer paper is the way to go.
7. Resume printer paper
Many people don’t realize that is paper specifically designed for the purpose of printing resumes, but if you’re really hoping to make your application stand out it might be worth considering. Resume printer paper is somewhat heavier than traditional paper and feels a bit sturdier.
It also comes in a slightly off-white appearance, which makes it less jarring to the eyes and more pleasant to ready. Traditionally, important documents are printed on paper of an ivory or cream tone to indicate to the reader that the information contained is significant.
8. Watermarked printed paper
Watermarked paper is uncoated and is distinguished by the design stamped on its surface. This is typically intended to give the final printed project a look of elegance of sophistication. Embossed papers, laid papers and hammered papers all fall into the watermarked printer paper category.
9. Environmentally friendly printer paper
Thanks to an increase in environmental concerns, you can now purchase paper that has been forested from sustainable forests exclusively. This kind of paper is made from wood taken from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council, the most highly accredited forestry certification system in the world) forests. With this selection, you can rest assured that your paper meets strict environmental and social sustainability criteria.
10. Recycled printer paper
In order to qualify as recycled, paper has to have been produced using between 60% and 100% recycled paper pulp. If you’re looking to be truly eco-friendly, it is also worth looking into whether or not the paper was bleached with polluting chemicals.
