How to Choose the Right Printer Paper

Paper weight, brightness, finish, and grain all change how your printer behaves. This guide gives you the rules of thumb without the marketing fluff.

Weight and what it means

Paper weight is measured in gsm (grams per square metre). 80gsm is everyday office paper, 100-120gsm is letterhead, 160-200gsm is brochure, 220-300gsm is card.

Brightness and whiteness

Higher brightness numbers print sharper text and more vibrant photos. Aim for brightness 96+ for marketing, 92+ for office documents.

Finish: matte, gloss, satin

Matte for body copy and reports. Gloss for photos and brochures. Satin (or pearl) is the compromise.

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