How to Choose The Best Paper For Your Printer
While computers have made the world increasingly paperless in today’s world, there is still an important need for paper. From newspapers to blueprints to regular paper for office use, there is still a large need for paper in today’s workplace.
When it comes to choosing the right paper for your printer, there are several basic, yet important factors to consider:
- Weight
- Thickness
- Brightness
- Quality
Paper weight is written in pounds and is based on the weight of 500 sheets of a particular type of paper. Though some types of paper might be the same size i.e. 8 1/2 by 11, the weight can vary greatly. Make sure to compare products of the same paper type. Heavier or thicker paper can give resumes or reports a more professional feel, while lighter weight paper is meant for everyday use.
Brightness is determined by the amount of light that reflects off a sheet of paper and is measured on a 0 to 100 scale. This means the higher the number, the brighter the paper.
Consider what you’ll print onto a particular type of paper before choosing the appropriate brightness. Pictures on a brighter paper stand out as does darker text. But bright paper and images of poorer quality may not be a good mix.
Paper is made from many different materials: wood fiber, recycled newspaper, leaves and hemp among many others. Today, more than a third of new paper is made with recycled fiber. When it comes to quality, figure out what you’re using it for and how you want it to look. Paper with a moderate weight, good brightness and of good makeup gives the paper a good feel, durability and a good look.
Aside from office settings, the need for paper is also increased in architectural and engineering settings. Most of today’s architectural and engineering offices average 3,500 square feet per month of printing output. The blueprinting process began in the mid-1800s when a drawing was placed over a piece of paper for blueprints, which was coated with a chemical mixture. When exposed to light, the chemicals formed a copy of the original drawing on the blueprint paper.
For architectural and engineering purposes, Tyvek paper is a popular option. Tyvek is synthetic paper that is recyclable, tear resistant, waterproof and comes with a matte finish.
Paper for blueprints is easily found online and some chain stores also carry it. Some of these stores also offer blueprint printing services, which can turn blueprints into high quality reproductions complete with color to make the renderings more vibrant.
Whether you need paper for blueprints, plotter paper or inkjet paper for your office printer, it’s important to take the time to find the right paper for your needs.
