Paper
We have all kinds of paper at our fingertips these days. They vary in thickness, weight, brightness, purity, coating, sheen, and how well they take tasks like folding, printing, writing, and aging. Here is a rundown of the ways in which they are measured. - Weight - How much a ream of paper (500 sheets) weighs
- Brightness - The percentage of light the paper reflects as measured by a light meter. The brighter a paper, the stronger the printed contrast.
- Color - You know, "white," "red," "black," "mauve," and the like? Color.
- Percentage Recycled - Nowadays paper will tell you what proportion of the paper is recycled content. On behalf of the planet, I implore you to buy heavily recycled paper. And then recycle it yourself when you're done with it. Here's why.
- Often the names of paper tell you exactly what they're for. Printing paper, Resume paper, Copy paper, Multi-use paper...
- Just about all of the papers comes in different sizes and colors, if you look hard enough.
So How Many Varieties Could There Really Be?- Printer Paper
 - Light, sheen-free, simple paper is perfect for the everyday printing jobs.
- 15, 18, and 20 lbs varieties. There's no real brightness to them.
- Available in attached and separated varieties, depending on how old your printer is.
- Copy Paper - Is, you guessed it, perfect for copy machines.
- Generally uncoated, flexible, light, and soft
- Around 20 lbs and 84 US Bright
- Laser/Color Copier Paper - Stronger, brighter, heavier, and fancier paper for sharp and durable reports, presentations, and brochures.
- Around 28 lbs and 97 US Bright
- Multipurpose Paper - For copiers, printers, and fax machines.
- Smoother and brighter than most office papers
- Usually 20 lbs and 92-98 US Bright (depending on if it's regular or super-bright)
- Laser Paper - Heavier, brighter, acid-free paper makes graphics and text vibrant for laser printing jobs.
- 24-28 lbs and 94-98 US Bright. The heavier and brighter it is, the brighter your text and stronger your presentation.
- Printer Paper - A compromise between copy and laser paper in weight and brightness. Great for printing documents that need to impress, but not WOW.
- Generally 24 lbs and 92-96 US Bright (with the brightest and strongest best for two-sided jobs)
What If I Write By Hand?- Writing Pads - Notebooks with lines and margins and everything. Just like in school.
Nope, Not Specialized Enough For Me. What Else Ya Got?- Photo Paper - Printing your digital pictures? Get some photo paper!
- Glossy paper results in glossy photos.
- Matte paper results in matte, non-glossy photos.
- Glossy or Matte is purely a matter of preference.
- Drying times, paper quantities, weight, and single/double sidedness.
- How to tell the difference between premium, professional, ultimate, and other superlative papers? With the name brands, go by price per page.
- Fax Paper - Like ink cartridges, the paper you buy for a fax has more to do with the fax and less to do with the paper. Once you know what kind of fax machine you have, you can buy the proper paper for it.
- Cover and Card Stock - Seriously heavy-duty paper is much stronger and thicker, meant for menus, postcards, covers, and signs.
- Ranges 65-110 lbs, so it comes in half-reams.
- Cover stock is generally lighter than the card stock.
- Wide variety of colors and brightnesses, for all of your artistic needs.
- Colored Paper - Colors everywhere! Brighten up your message.
- Great for laser and inkjet printers as well as copiers.
- 20-24 lbs and the much heavier card stock
- Specialty Paper - Want to make brochures? Magnets? Business cards? Carbon Copies? This paper is for you!
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