Choosing the Best Paper For Your Copying Machine

If only we could call up Dwight Schrute, Assistant to the Regional Manager at Dunder Mifflin. He would surely answer all of our paper questions!

But alas, our paper fantasies are relegated to the real world. And we are left to choose our own paper with no beet farm insight.

But finding the best paper for your copier isn’t as hard as it sounds, and we can offer some guidance. So if you’re looking for a photocopier paper, read on to learn a few key differences.

Regular Everyday Paper

No matter your business, you’ll need a hefty supply of regular printer paper to use for the printing of documents from day-to-day. This is your standard 8.5″ x 11″ paper, and believe it or not, there are quite a few different types on the market.

One of the first things you can notice when picking up one of these different papers is paper weight. Not that one is going to feel heavier than the other, but the heavier paper will be a little thicker, more opaque, and have a sturdier feel overall.

You’ll often see a copier paper weight of 20lbs. This number is derived from the weight of 500 sheets.

A lighter paper may have a tendency to jam in printers, but there are steps in finishing that prevent this, making lighter weight paper a good option for most printers. A good everyday printer paper will also be acid-free, which means it will not discolor or breakdown if stored for a long period of time.

Photo Paper

If you have a copier for photos, you’ll want a paper that is different than your everyday copy machine paper. This is where photo paper comes in.

Photo paper is thicker, boosts color quality, and has either a matte or glossy finish. This type of paper is best used for printing images and not text. A matte paper indicates a more absorbent paper, made up of paper particles, air, and an ink attracting coating. Glossy papers consist of a complex chemical composition made up to give the paper its glossy finish.

Glossy papers provide a more brilliant array of colors while the matte paper may be more stable in the long run.

Choosing between matte or glossy finish is a matter of preference, and each manufacturer produces a slightly different finish. Testing is the best way to find what is right for you.

Resume Paper

Resume paper is slightly heavier than other paper and is thicker with a cream or off-white color. It often is textured and possibly has a woven appearance. This paper is most commonly used for printing resumes and CVs but can be used to print other documents in order to show their high level of importance.

It’s always a good idea to keep a small ream of this on hand. You never know when you may need to make a lasting impression when presenting an important printed document.

So What Is the Best Paper?

It really depends on your needs and preferences. If you work with paper a lot, you’ll want to find one that feels nice, is sturdy and doesn’t jam, and is cost-effective.

If you’re ready for a new office copier, we’d love to help. Take a look at our products today!