What weight of paper is best for everyday printing?

Twenty-pound bond paper is the standard for everyday printing. It works in virtually all printers and is the most affordable option for high-volume use.

Can I use inkjet paper in a laser printer?

Generally no. Inkjet paper has a coating that can melt or peel under the high heat of a laser fuser. Always use paper rated for your printer technology.

Does brighter paper produce better prints?

Brighter paper, with a brightness rating of ninety-six or higher, produces sharper text contrast and richer photo color, but it costs more than standard bright paper.

Printer Paper Types Explained

Standard Bond and Multipurpose Paper

Standard bond paper is the workhorse of most home and office printers. It typically weighs between twenty and twenty-four pounds, has a brightness rating of ninety to ninety-six, and works equally well in inkjet and laser machines. Use it for letters, drafts, internal reports, and everyday documents where appearance matters less than reliability.

Multipurpose paper sits one tier above bond. It has a slightly heavier weight, smoother surface, and improved opacity, which prevents text from showing through to the other side during duplex printing. If you regularly print double-sided handouts or share documents externally, multipurpose paper is the safer default.

Photo, Glossy, and Matte Paper

Photo paper has a special coating designed to absorb pigment or dye-based inkjet ink without bleeding. Glossy photo paper produces vibrant colors and deep blacks ideal for prints meant to be displayed under glass. Matte photo paper diffuses light and is easier to handle without leaving fingerprints, making it the better choice for photo books, scrapbooks, and prints meant to be touched.

Always check that your printer supports the photo paper weight and finish you choose. Many entry-level printers handle paper up to about 240 grams per square meter. Heavier cardstock may require feeding through a rear straight-through paper path.

Specialty and Coated Papers

Specialty papers include label sheets, transparency film, iron-on transfers, business card stock, brochure paper, and envelopes. Each has unique handling requirements: labels must run only through printers that explicitly support them, transparencies need laser-rated film when used in laser printers to avoid melting, and envelopes typically feed best one at a time through a manual bypass tray.

Coated cardstock is often used for invitations, postcards, and presentation covers. Choose a coated finish when you need vibrant color and crisp edges, and an uncoated finish when you need to write on the surface afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What weight of paper is best for everyday printing?: Twenty-pound bond paper is the standard for everyday printing. It works in virtually all printers and is the most affordable option for high-volume use.
Can I use inkjet paper in a laser printer?: Generally no. Inkjet paper has a coating that can melt or peel under the high heat of a laser fuser. Always use paper rated for your printer technology.
Does brighter paper produce better prints?: Brighter paper, with a brightness rating of ninety-six or higher, produces sharper text contrast and richer photo color, but it costs more than standard bright paper.