How Different Weights of Printer Paper Impact Your Printer and Project

The printing process isn’t as handy as you presume. You have to consider many factors that affect your printer performance and the quality of your printouts. When it comes to printing projects, you often look out for the ink quality, printer type, or design. But one significant aspect is overlooked frequently, and that is printer paper weight. The right choice of paper stock is significant to achieve optimal results. In this blog, we will dive into how printer paper weight impacts the execution of the printer and your final project.

Different Types of Printing Paper with Weights

The printing and paper industry offers different types and weights of paper, from standard bond paper to text, cover, and more. Each media weight is used according to its intended use. For example, if you want to make a cover page for your project, you may need a bit more heavyweight paper than the inside pages. Let’s discuss some commonly used paper stock types.

Bond Paper

It is also known as a copier or writing paper commonly used to meet everyday tasks. For example, if you want to create documents, memos, or letters, bond paper is your go-to option. It is usually lightweight and typically weigh between 20 and 80 pounds.

Text Paper

Text paper is an upgrade to bond paper and is mostly used in commercial printing. It usually weighs 50 to 100 pounds. If you intend to make brochures, flyers, thesis Letterheads, or marketing material, you should feature text paper.

Cardstock or Cover Paper

As the name suggests, this paper is quite sturdy and thick. It is mostly used to make book covers, business cards, invitations, and other projects that require durability. Cardstock ranges between 50 and 140 pounds.

How Printer Paper Weight affects Printing Quality?

Paper weight influences the printer’s performance and speed. For example, heavier paper sheets can take a much longer time to pass through rollers. So, if you are dealing with large printing volumes, you may face paper jams and time constraints.

Similarly, inappropriate paperweight can lead to skewed or misaligned printing.

Printer paper weight also affects the quality of text and images of your project. It also impacts how colors will represent on the paper after printing. For example, the heavier ones absorb ink more effectively, resulting in a more vibrant representation. Instead, the lighter papers may be prone to ink spread or distorted colors.

How is Paper Weight Determined?

To begin, what is the weight of printer paper per sheet? Printer paper weight varies depending on the thickness and size of the media. It is typically determined in pounds in the U.S. but in GSM worldwide. The higher the value in pounds or GSM, the thicker or heavier the paper. There are two most common ways to determine the printing paper weight.

• U.S. basis weight: It is usually determined before the paper is cut to attain its final size. Also, it is known as the weight of 500 paper sheets in its basic unit (uncut size).
• Metric weight: In metric weight, printer paper weight is usually measured in GSM. It provides you the measurements of the one sheet of paper that is cut 1 x 1 m2

How to Choose the Right Printer Paper Weight?

To choose the right paper weight, you need to acknowledge your intended use. After determining your purpose for the printing job, choose a compatible printer that can handle the paperweight.

You can also view the printer paper weight chart for more clarity. There are some standard stocks that are commonly used every day in printing solutions and for executing projects.

• Standard printing paper: 20 pounds bond or 50-pound Text paper
• Brochures: 28- or 30-pound Bond, 70 or 80 text
• Business cards: 80 pounds Cover paper
• Letterhead: 24-pound Bond, 60-pound text.
• Invitations: 100 pound cover.

Conclusion

In short, printer paper weight plays a significant role in maintaining the quality of your printed specimen. Understanding various types of printing papers helps you to choose the right one for your project. For selecting the right media weight, you need to consider your project purpose, desired durability, and printer efficiency to meet your expectations.

So, if you are looking for high-quality papers, connect with PaperPapers. We are a worldwide supplier of papers from small packs to tons. We help you to select the right weight that conveys your intended message the way you want it to be delivered. So, why wait? Order now.