Laser Paper
Although similar to inkjet paper, laser paper is specially designed for the toner used in laser printers. Specialty types of laser paper such as checks and labels are also available.Photo Paper
Printing photos from a computer has become popular due to the increased use of digital cameras and the low cost of high-quality inkjet printers. Photo paper offers the best results for this type of printing and produces sharp, clear images.
Photo paper has a glossy finish that allows the ink to dry quickly and produces sharp images. Many companies sell photo paper in several sizes and weights, with the 4" x 6" size being one of the most common. This size is great for printing photos from your home printer.
Computer Paper
Frequently used to describe any type of paper that is used with computer printers. Aside from the types listed above, it also refers to the continuous sheets of paper that are used in dot matrix printers. This type of computer paper may be completely white or have green stripes to ease the reading of data. Both single-part and multi-part computer paper formats are available.
Copy paper and printer paper have many different properties that affect the quality of the output. Choosing the right paper will ensure that you get the results that you are looking for. Listed below are the four main paper qualities.
Smoothness
Paper textures vary by application. Laser printers and copiers use heat and toner to produce text and images. They require a smoother paper for crisp results. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, use water-based ink. They benefit from textured paper which allows the ink to dry faster, reduces bleeding, and produces sharper output.
The above factors are the most important to consider when choosing paper for your projects. Be sure to use the right paper for your machine. When choosing copier paper, weight and brightness are most important. For inkjet and laser printers look at opacity and smoothness. If you will be printing images or creating publications, choose a heavier weight paper with extra brightness. Special photo, greeting card, and other specialty papers are also available.
Copy Paper
Usually a lightweight paper that is used in copy machines also known as reprographic paper, copier paper, dual-purpose, or xerographic paper. It's generally thin with a small amount of transparency. The grade of the paper is determined by brightness levels which is how light is reflected from the paper. It is the largest category in the uncoated commodity printing paper grade and many governments use it for all of their laser printing, fax, and copier needs.
Printer Paper
Can be any kind of paper that is used in computer printers. Some common examples include laser paper, inkjet paper, and photo paper. Printer paper is available in matte and glossy finishes.
Matte paper has a bright white coating that dries quickly and is recommended for everyday printing.
Glossy paper has a shiny coating that absorbs ink for spontaneous drying. Glossy paper is commonly used for printing photographs, posters, and other images.
Inkjet Paper
Inkjet printers can print on a variety of paper types. It is best to choose a paper based on what you are printing. For example, plain copier paper is usually best for printing emails or other common documents. It provides good results and is relatively inexpensive. If you will be printing in color, a coater paper is usually recommended because it allows for sharper colors and a higher resolution image.
Specialty inkjet papers are available. Common examples include photo paper, glossy paper, business cards, and greeting cards.
Brightness
Contrast is a key element between the toner or ink and the paper. The whiter the paper the better your copies will look. Most paper will have a brightness rating between 80 and 100. Higher numbers represent brighter paper.
Opacity
Opacity is a measure of how well a material prevents light from passing through it. Standard 20# copier paper is somewhat translucent, while heavier papers are more opaque.
