Printer Paper

Most people spend time checking to make sure they purchase the correct cartridges for their printer but do not give any thought to the printer paper. For an inkjet printer, standard paper works but using paper made specifically for inkjet printers gives you better quality. Absorption and brightness are what affects the quality of your printing. ‘Brighter than average’ printer paper means that the paper is smoother than normal paper, which determines the amount of light that reflects off the paper's surface. This makes the printout images brighter and better. Absorption is also important when shopping for printer paper. The less ink the paper absorbs, the better the document looks. When paper absorbs too much ink, the ink absorbed into the paper can spread and cause the images and text on the page to look blurry or hazy. Well-coated printer paper does not let ink absorb into the paper, which allows for a smoother, precise print.

Getting the Right Paper

Large printer manufacturers often offer their own line of ink cartridges and paper, claiming that products made specifically for its printers give the best results and often advise people to stay away from other companies' products. If you have an inkjet printer, this is true, as printer manufacturers design papers and inks to work with their printer, which will give the best results. Some of the problems you could end up with, by using inferior quality printer paper with a large brand-name inkjet printer, are lower print resolution, inaccurate colors caused by the ink spreading before drying, faster fading prints and a dull finish. With inkjet printers, printing excellent photos requires a perfect match between the printer, paper and ink, which the large printer manufacturers offer, but it is expensive for the consumer. Laser printers are different because any laser paper or bright white paper is suitable for printing draft quality graphics or plain text documents and available at all office supply stores.

Purchasing the Paper

Read the fine print on printer paper packages in office supply stores because they often list the names and model numbers of compatible printers. For paper described as cotton rag, often used in printing high-quality photos, this paper is perfect for inkjet printers using pigment-based ink but unsuitable for dye-based ink. Lignin-free and acid-free paper gives a good overall life span and great image quality, while polymer-coated paper prevents both dye and pigment-based inks from spreading or fading.

There are many ways to purchase printer paper, such as office supply stores, directly from the printer manufacturer or buying online. Some of the many advantages to shopping online are the convenience of shopping from home and the ease of comparing products at different retail websites. Be sure you shop at trusted sites with a good reputation and a secure payment system.