how to select paper
It's easy not to think about paper--just borrow what's in the copier machine, right? But if you've seen the difference that a quality paper makes--especially one designed specifically for your inkjet or laser printer--you also know it's hard to go back to copier paper for anything but the most ordinary of documents. Paper designed for your printer looks and performs better every time.
Using special printer paper will not only give you better results, it will also be less costly: You'll have fewer paper jams and your output will look great every time. But there's more to plain white paper than meets the eye. Here are the basics of using and selecting paper for general use and printing photos.
a crash course in paper basics
First take into account what you'll be printing. Black-and-white documents are quite different from full-color photos. Some papers are multipurpose and, therefore, good for both; but if you want crisp, vibrant photos that will last a long time, you should use paper that's designed just for photos.
If you're looking for good general-use paper, think about the following:
Weight. Paper weight ranges from lightweight newsprint to very heavy cardboard. Most quality business paper is 20- to 24-pound (lb) bond, with greeting card papers at the heavier end of the scale, usually in the range of 60- to 65-lb cardstocks. Metric equivalents are expressed in grams per square meter, abbreviated as g/m2.
Thickness. The thickness of a paper affects its handling and is most applicable to photo papers. Generally, thicker media will be stiffer and will resist creases and tears. Thickness is most often expressed as a unit of measure called a "mil."
Brightness. A higher brightness value means that more light is reflected from the surface of the paper, providing crisper text with better contrast and a brighter background for color and images. HP's brightest papers include Premium for inkjet printing and Premium Choice for laser printing.
Opacity. Opacity describes how well the paper blocks the passage of light through it. Highly opaque media prevent print from showing through to the other side and are considered good for printing on both sides--e.g., for brochures, newsletters, calendars and other similar applications.
Finish. Finishes for laser and inkjet papers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with numerous choices for a variety of applications. They range from matte to glossy, with lessening degrees of glossiness, sometimes described as semi-gloss, soft-gloss or satin-gloss. Many people prefer the mirror-like finish of high-gloss media for color photographs, and smooth matte finishes for black-and-white photographs and business documents. (Be careful with extremely smooth, shiny or coated papers that aren't specifically designed for your printer. They can cause jams and even repel ink.)
Here's what to look for in paper for printing photos:
Whiteness. For photo or picture printing, keep in mind that whiter papers produce sharper, more vibrant colors. Ink is translucent. Light passes through it and bounces off the paper, then passes back through the ink. The paper color, therefore, affects the color you see when you print.
Thickness. Some photo projects--like calendars--require a heavier paper stock. But if it's too thick, it could jam up your printer.
Surface. For printouts with crisp lines and intense, high-quality colors, the surface of the paper is key. Glossy paper produces vibrant color but is susceptible to fingerprints. So matte paper might be a better choice for prints that will be handled often.
Your best bet is to buy a paper sampler with various weights and finishes. That way you can see for yourself what kind of results you get.
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