6 Important Terminologies in Printer Paper

When it comes to purchasing printer paper you may be tempted to pick any old bundle off the shelf—that is until you notice that each one is slightly different, and the outer packaging contains wording and numbers that you have no idea how to decipher.

Just as it's important to choose the right print equipment, it's vital to choose the right type of paper to go in it, to enhance the look, feel and quality of printed materials. The question is: How do you differentiate one type of paper from another? The secret lies in understanding printer paper terminology and learning a number of common words and phrases to determine which type of paper is the right fit. 

• 1. Brightness - The brightness of paper is measured by the amount of light reflected off its surface and is rated on a scale between 0 and 100, where 100 is the brightest. Standard multipurpose copy paper is typically rated around 84, whereas photo paper is often 95 or higher. The brighter the paper, the greater the clarity, crispness, and contrast of text and images. 
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• 2. Inkjet - Inkjet paper is specifically designed for use in an inkjet printer and is coated to absorb the ink in the exact quantity needed to produce clear images while preventing the ink from spreading. This paper should not be used in a laser printer however, as the coating can damage the machine. 
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• 3. Weight - Paper weight is determined by the weight of 500 pieces of paper and the higher the weight, the thicker the paper. Standard weight is 20 pounds which is suitable for everyday use, while medium weight paper is 22-24 pounds and is commonly used in situations where a heavier feel is more impressive, such as proposals or presentation materials.
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• 4. Laser - This paper is designed for laser printers only and if used in an inkjet printer the quality of images and text will suffer, as the ink is unable to properly adhere to the paper. 
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• 5. Stock - This term refers to paper that is significantly thicker than traditional print paper and is often used for projects such as business cards, brochures, and other promotional materials. 
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• 6. Recycled/Non-recycled - Recycled paper is made from used materials, and is often comparable in quality to new. 

Choosing the right paper for the job is the best way to maximize your investment and produce quality documents and images.