One of the most important components of printing and copying is paper. That is pretty obvious, but many times we don’t give much thought to the paper we put into these machines. Certainly, paper is probably the most expensive consumable that is used by a printer or copier, so many people just put the least expensive paper they can find in their machines and hope for the best.
Most of us are familiar with the basic 20 pound or 24 pound “plain” printing paper that is most commonly used in printers, MFPs, and copiers. These general-purpose copier papers are cost-effective and produce acceptable results for most types of office and business printing. However, better print quality can be achieved by making some adjustments to the paper that we print on.
Surface characteristics are an important consideration. Generally speaking, smooth papers will produce better results. Smooth papers such as Hammermill Laser Paper have a highly calendared surface. Calendaring is a manufacturing process by which a very smooth metal roller is applied to the surface of the paper. The roller polishes the paper surface to make it smoother. This smooth surface accepts toner and ink particles more uniformly, resulting in a sharper and less mottled printed image.
Another paper characteristic that contributes to print quality is whiteness. The whiter the paper, the more optical contrast between the background and the image. This produces the perception of more “pop” in the printed image. Many high-quality papers add whitening chemicals to increase the reflectivity of their papers, which is expressed in the whiteness grade of the paper. Today, most papers for printing have whiteness values in excess of 90 points on a 100 point scale.
There are other types of paper that can be used depending on the capabilities of your printer or copier. Coated papers are a popular choice. They are typically coated with a shiny or glossy coating that provides a super-smooth surface much like one would see in a magazine or glossy brochure. Coated papers can be glossy, or they can have a more dull or satin coating. Some papers are only coated on one side and are referred to as “C1S” papers.
Be sure you check the specifications of your printer and copier to ensure best results with a particular kind of paper. Most higher-end devices allow for selection of different kinds of paper either in the print driver, or they use the control panel on the machine itself. Never put paper into the printer or copier unless that paper is approved for that device. Your local copier store or copier dealer should be able to provide information on the best papers for copying on your particular device.
Please contact us to share any questions you may have about what the best copier papers are to use in your MFP, copier, or printer.