Question 1

What grammage of paper should I use for everyday office printing?

Accepted Answer

For standard office printing, 80 g/m² is the most common choice and works well for mono and colour laser printers. If you print a lot of colour documents or want a more professional feel, stepping up to 90–100 g/m² makes a noticeable difference in how the output looks and handles — without significantly increasing cost per sheet.

Question 2

Can I use inkjet photo paper in a laser printer?

Accepted Answer

No — standard inkjet photo paper is not compatible with laser printers and should never be used in one. Inkjet photo papers use micro-porous or polymer coatings designed to absorb liquid ink; in a laser printer's fuser unit, these coatings can melt, causing paper jams and potentially damaging the fuser. Always use paper explicitly labelled as laser-compatible or laser photo paper.

Question 3

What's the difference between paper brightness and whiteness?

Accepted Answer

Brightness measures how much light the paper reflects (ISO scale, 0–100%), while whiteness (CIE index) measures the actual colour of the white — whether it has a blue, neutral or yellow tint. A paper can score high on brightness but still appear slightly warm or cool in colour. For everyday printing, brightness above 90 ISO is sufficient. For colour-accurate professional work, check the CIE whiteness index too — 160+ is the benchmark for premium white.

Question 4

Is there a risk of paper jams if I use heavier paper?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the paper exceeds your printer's maximum supported grammage. Most desktop printers handle up to 160–200 g/m² through the main tray, but heavier stocks typically require a straight-through rear feed path to avoid jams. Check your printer's specifications before buying anything above 120 g/m² in bulk — the manual will specify the maximum weight for each feed path.

Question 5

Which printing paper brands offer the best value in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Navigator and Mondi consistently offer the best value for high-volume office printing, with average prices well below the category average while delivering solid brightness and opacity for everyday use. HP's Color Choice and Premium ranges are the sweet spot for buyers who want reliable quality without paying for specialist coatings. Epson and HP's professional lines are worth the premium only if you're printing photos or colour-critical materials.

Question 6

Does it matter if printing paper is FSC certified?

Accepted Answer

For most home users, FSC certification is a nice-to-have rather than essential. However, for public sector organisations, schools, and businesses with sustainability policies or procurement requirements, FSC or PEFC certification is often mandatory. Beyond compliance, certified papers are produced to the same quality standards as non-certified equivalents — there's no performance trade-off in choosing them.

Question 7

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when buying printing paper?

Accepted Answer

The biggest pitfall is buying paper without checking printer compatibility — particularly using glossy inkjet paper in a laser printer, or feeding heavy cardstock through a printer that can't handle it. A close second is ignoring opacity when buying paper for double-sided printing: anything below 90% opacity will show through visibly on the reverse side. Finally, don't confuse brightness with whiteness when buying for colour-critical work — they measure different things and both matter for professional output.

Printing Paper Price Comparison

Epson Double-Sided Photo Quality Inkjet Paper - A4 - 50 Sheets

Epson Business Paper - A4 - 500 Sheets

Epson Matte Paper Heavy Weight, DIN A3, 167g/m², 50 Sheets

Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper, DIN A3+, 250g/m², 20 Sheets

HP Universal Bond Paper-610 mm x 45.7 m (24 in x 150 ft) printing paper Matte

HP Q1445A printing paper Matte

HP Q1444A printing paper Matte

HP Universal Bond Paper-1067 mm x 45.7 m (42 in x 150 ft) printing paper Matte 1 sheets White

HP C6036A printing paper Matte White

Printing Paper Price Comparison