The Best Printer Paper
A printer is pretty useless without paper. And although you can pick out any old ream, we suggest putting a little thought into your purchase. After all, certain prints deserve quality paper, while other projects demand a high quantity. Consequently, the choice can be a bit of a challenge, which is why we're here to help.
What to Look For
The trick to choosing the right paper for your printer is to focus on weight, size, color, and ink retention. For example, Hammermill Multipurpose inkjet paper uses ColorLok technology to lock in every drop of ink for brighter colors a bolder blacks. However, if you’re trying to print pictures, the satin finish of Koala Ultra Premium Photo Paper is a better choice. For more details and a look at a few more of our top picks, you can check out the list below.
Amazon Basics Recycled Printer Paper
Eco-friendly and consistent
The Amazon Basics recycled printer paper is made using 30 percent recycled materials to help minimize your impact on the environment. It’s also acid-free to prevent yellowing. The best part is that this affordable paper is available in single reams up to full pallets, so you can save money while stocking up.
Pros:
- This thin paper doesn’t jam easily even in unreliable printers.
- Although it’s on the thin side, you don’t need to worry about bleed-through, so you can print on both sides.
- You can get this paper in bulk, making it great for daily business use.
Cons:
- Occasionally, a couple of sheets may stick together.
HP Printer Paper
Dependable finish
This printer paper from HP gives you reliable, consistent results. It’s perfect for keeping stocked in your school or office printer for day-to-day jobs, and the acid-free archival finish keeps all of your paperwork looking its best. And for added convenience, it’s available in three sizes and packs of 500 to 5,000.
Pros:
- You can use this paper in both laser and inkjet printers.
- Ink doesn’t bleed through to the other side, so you can use this paper for double-sided printing without an issue.
- It feeds well through the printer, and it rarely jams or sticks.
Cons:
- Depending on the ink you use, you may have to give it a minute to dry before you handle it after printing to prevent smearing.
Hammermill Multipurpose Inkjet Paper
The bolder the better
ColorLok technology ensures that the Hammermill multipurpose inkjet paper absorbs ink and dries fast for colors that are 30 percent brighter and blacks that are 60 percent darker. It’s thick, high-quality, and rarely jams or sticks in your printer. This premium pick is the ideal choice for creating promotional flyers, professional displays, and reports.
Pros:
- The thickness is ideal for professional-quality double-sided printing.
- Everything you print comes out crisp, bright, and perfectly legible.
- It’s very sturdy, so you don’t need to worry about tearing or ink bleeding.
Cons:
- While great for most business uses, it isn’t a good choice for things that need to be folded, like brochures.
Astrobrights Mega Collection
Broaden your horizons
If you love color and want to create unique projects, you may want to check out this mega color collection from Astrobrights. It includes 625 sheets of heavy-duty paper in five colors to ensure you have plenty to work with. We think it’s fabulous for arts and crafts, flyers, and any other projects you want to liven up.
Pros:
- This heavyweight paper doesn’t jam or get stuck as it glides through your printer.
- The colors are vivid, and your projects can easily catch the eye and get people’s attention.
- It’s a fantastic choice when you want to print things out for crafts and scrapbook displays.
Cons:
- We wish this were available in smaller quantities.
Koala Ultra Premium Photo Paper
Professional quality
You can print photographs on any paper. However, if you want long-lasting photographer-quality results, you need the Koala Ultra Premium photo paper. It has a special microporous coating that ensures maximum ink absorption and true-to-life color quality. The satin texture also prevents fingerprints and smudging. And once finished, your pictures are waterproof.
Pros:
- This paper’s satin finish looks and feels professional, making it ideal for photographers.
- It dries fast, so it resists smudging.
- You can use this paper to create scrapbooks, photo albums, and framed gifts.
Cons:
- If the paper bends or wrinkles, the colors won’t print well in that area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the quality of the printer paper matter?
If you use low-quality printer paper, your projects may jam the printer, smudge, tear, or bleed ink through to the other side. Such low-quality options waste more ink, paper, and electricity when you have to reprint everything. Even if your projects print correctly, the finished pages may rip, or you may be able to see the printed portions on the other side, which looks unprofessional.
What do bleed-through and ink retention mean?
Bleed-through, or bleeding, refers to ink feathering or soaking through the paper. It may also look like smudging or spilled ink. Ink retention is how well the paper absorbs and holds ink. So good ink retention means the paper quickly and cleanly absorbs the colors and shows them clearly. You would notice bad ink retention because your projects would look faded, the edges may look fuzzy, and there could be bleed-through to the other side.
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