Most people purchase paper for printing on a printer without thinking about its performance characteristics. Most often, buyers look only at the manufacturer and the cost of paper, not paying attention to its density and other parameters. But this approach is fundamentally wrong. The quality of the prints created on it directly depends on the properties of the paper.
Therefore, you need to choose paper for the printer, considering the characteristics of the consumable. At the same time, do not forget about the purpose of the paper, otherwise even an expensive consumable may end up not being the best option for a specific printing task.
Today we will tell you how to choose the right paper for printing on a printer. First, let’s look at the main characteristics of paper, after which we’ll talk about the nuances of choosing consumables for everyday use and for printing photos. Additionally, we give a classification of paper used to perform non-standard tasks.
What paper to buy: a description of the key characteristics of the paper
Before choosing paper for a printer, it is advisable to carefully study its characteristics, and then compare them with existing requirements. This approach will allow you to choose the optimal variation of the consumable for printing text, images, photographs, or other materials. The following are the most important parameters to consider when choosing paper for printing:
Class
An unofficial indicator (used only by residents of some countries), which allows you to determine the quality of paper in a comparative sense. Currently, paper is divided into three main classes – A (highest), B (medium), and C (budget), each of which is characterized by specific features.
Format
This setting indicates paper sizes according to the international classification system. The most common format is a4 paper (210×297 mm). It is he who is used to printing most of the official documentation, as well as printing term papers and other scientific papers. Other sizes also exist (paper size information). When studying this characteristic, it should be remembered that printers have fixed restrictions on the supported print formats. Therefore, the paper must be chosen considering this circumstance.
Density
The indicator is measured in grams per square meter. The higher the density, the thicker and stiffer the paper. Most modern printers print on paper with a density of 60-163 g / m 2, but these are two extremes. For regular office and home single-sided printing, values of 70-90 g/m 2 are quite suitable. If you need double-sided printing, you can take the paper with h some margin of weight (up to 120 g/m 2). Features of determining the optimal density of paper (both office and other types) are partially presented in today’s article.
Thickness
This parameter is considered mainly when ordering brochures, booklets, posters, and other printing products. Also, the thickness of the paper is very important in the manufacture of books and similar products, since the dimensions (in particular, the height of the spine) of the binding directly depend on this indicator.
Opacity
A percentage showing the degree of absorption of light falling on the paper. When buying paper for printing, make sure that its opacity level is at least 90%, otherwise, there is a chance that prints will be partially translucent from opposite sides. This is especially important for duplex printing.
White
The whiter the paper, the more presentable it looks. But, more importantly, the parameter affects the contrast of the display of printed text or images, and therefore, the ease and convenience of its perception.
Smoothness
The setting affects the level of detail and color reproduction when printing. The high level of smoothness allows you to make prints of optimal quality. Therefore, this indicator is especially relevant for photographic paper.
Coating
Some types of paper (for example, photographic paper) have different coatings (glossy and matte in the example), which directly affect the display of printed images.
Conclusion
The most important parameters are the type and purpose of the paper. According to these criteria, you can select the ones you require and make a wise decision.
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