After you’ve bought a nice all-in-one printer, a good WiFi printer or another top printer, it’s time to start looking for the best printing paper. In this article I will help you with that. I will guide you to select the best printing paper, then recommend 5 top printing paper brands for you to consider.
Printing paper buying guide: How to select the best printing paper yourself
You may think that there is not much difference between printing paper. In this buying guide I explain that there are a number of characteristics to pay attention to when you start looking. Read on quick!
Paper format
By far the most commonly used size for printing paper is the A4 size (210 × 297 mm). Other possible formats are:
- A0 size: 841mm x 1189mm
- A1 size: 594mm x 841mm
- A2 size: 420mm x 594mm
- A3 size: 297mm x 420mm
- A5 size: 148mm x 210mm
- A6 format: 105mm x 148mm
- A7 size: 74mm x 105mm
- A8 size: 52mm x 74mm
Most printers allow you to print only one format, but multiple formats are also possible. For example, if you have an A3 printer, you will in principle also print on A4 format.
Print technology
Before you go hunting for printing paper, check whether you have an inkjet printer or a laser printer at home. Printing paper is usually developed only for one of these two printing technologies, but very occasionally the paper is suitable for both.
Most printing paper is intended for inkjet printers. That’s not surprising: most people prefer the best inkjet printer over a laser printer.
Because the ink does not dry immediately with this printing technology, this paper must have a thinner coating. Paper made for laser printers tends to be heavier, smoother, and brighter.
Grammage weight
The grammage shows how thick the print paper is. The thinner the paper, the more it shows through. This looks cheaper and is therefore not the most suitable for professional use. 80 grams of paper is the most common. If you’re looking for thicker paper, go for 90 grams per paper or more.
What can be somewhat confusing here is that the indicated grammage refers to m² (A0 format). So this is usually not the actual thickness of the paper. For example, 80 grams of paper for the A4 format means that the paper weighs 5 grams per sheet.
Brightness
The brightness of the paper, also known as the whiteness, is expressed in ‘CIE’. The higher this number, the higher the paper’s brightness. Preferably go for 150 CIE or more.
If you go for a lower CIE value, the contrast between the paper and the ink will be low. This does not benefit the overall quality.
Smooth or rough paper
Paper that is either too smooth or too rough is not desirable. Where paper that is too rough is not conducive to the quality of the print, smooth paper can cause the ink to run, but this is also partly a matter of taste.
The differences between smooth and rough used to be greater. Nowadays there are few differences between these: most paper is smooth, but not too smooth.
Photo paper
If you want to print photos, you need special photo paper. Due to the special coating, this paper ensures a razor-sharp print.
A distinction is usually made between a matte, semi-gloss, glossy and high-gloss finish. For black and white prints, matte is the best choice, while color prints stand out better on glossy paper.
Environmentally friendly paper
Do you want to take the environment into account when choosing printing paper ? Then look for environmentally friendly(er) paper. You can read this from certain labels and quality marks.
The EU Ecolabel guarantees that production takes place in an environmentally friendly manner. The FSC quality mark indicates that the raw material for the paper comes from responsibly managed forests.
Recommend 5 best printing papers
1. Double A Paper A4 paper White 2,500 sheets
Brand: Double A
Colour: White
Paper size: A4 size
Gram weight: 80
Photo paper finish: Matt
Number of pages: 2500
Suitable for printer type: Inkjet printer, laser printer
2. Double A A4 Printing Paper
Brand: Double A
Colour: White
Paper size: A4 size
Gram weight: 80
Number of pages: 500
Suitable for printer type: Inkjet printer, Laser printer
3. Double A
Brand: Double A
Colour: White
Paper size: A4 size
Gram weight: 80
Photo paper finish: Matt
Number of pages: 250
Suitable for printer type: Inkjet printer
4. HP / Premium Printing Paper / ft A4 / 80 g / 250 sheet pack
Brand: HP
Colour: White
Paper size: A4 size
Gram weight: 80
Photo paper finish: Semi-gloss
Number of pages: 250
Suitable for printer type: Inkjet printer
5. Double A A3 paper
Brand: Double A
Colour: White
Paper size: A3 size
Gram weight: 80
Photo paper finish: Matt
Number of pages: 500
Suitable for printer type: Inkjet printer
Printing paper FAQs
How thick is 80 grams of paper?
If it concerns 80 grams of paper, this is the A0 format. It is always expressed in A0 format, regardless of which format you buy. For A4 format, this means that the paper weighs 5 grams.
How can I print photos?
If you want to print photos, good photo paper is indispensable. This is paper with a special coating that ensures that you get a sharp result. A photo is much less attractive on ‘normal’ paper. Note that the photo always needs to dry for a while after printing.
What is FSC paper?
FSC paper is printing paper that has the FSC quality mark. This quality mark guarantees that the raw material for the paper comes from responsibly managed forests.
Which printing paper should I buy?
That’s entirely up to you and your budget; everyone is unique. What I do have for you is a handy table with – in my view – the most important specifications of the best printing paper. That way you make the best choice!
Five good printing papers which we recommend are:
- Double A Paper A4 paper White 2,500 sheets
- Double A A4 Printing Paper
- Double A
- HP / Premium Printing Paper / ft A4 / 80 g / 250 sheet pack
- Double A A3 paper
As you can see, printing papers differ from each other, for example in size, grammage and clarity.
Hopefully you now have an idea how to find the best printing paper for you. Thanks for reading and let us know your choice or your comment!