Finding the right printing paper can be an extreme sport. Gone are the days you could run any paper through your printer without a second thought. Today, there are papers meant for use with either an inkjet or laser printer. These requirements explain why companies like Epson, HP, and Canon have whole lines of paper and ink combinations that they swear by. To simplify the entire paper chase process, we have outlined the best inkjet papers available today. Our best overall is the HP Premium Paper, A4
Best Overall: HP Premium Paper, A4
Inkjet printers work by spraying liquid or wet ink onto a paper to recreate image and text prints. Therefore, you need a thick and fast-absorbing paper that will not bleed through. That paper is The HP Premium Paper, A4. It is optimised for use in all inkjet and laser printers.
With 90 gsm paperweight, the HP paper is heavy and thick enough for smudge-free and double-sided printing. It is not coated, which makes ink reception and absorption a breeze. The bright white shade coupled with Colorlok technology creates a perfect contrast giving you bold black prints and brilliant colour images. It is an A4 size paper and comes as a single pack of 500 sheets or five packs bundled into a box. The HP bright white paper is well suited for printing memos, reports, presentations or when quality matters.
Best Runner-up: Hammermill Paper, Inkjet Poly Wrap
This is a 90 gsm bright white multipurpose inkjet paper. Be it proposals, newsletters, reports and direct mails, the Hammermill paper delivers. Besides, it runs jam-free in all inkjet printers.
Since the paper is not coated, wet ink sinks in faster, giving you instant drying prints. On a brightness scale of 92 to 100, this paper lies at 96 bright white. With such a brightness, the paper creates bold black texts and vivid colour prints. Unlike most inkjet papers, it has a smooth surface that gives prints a beautiful semi-gloss finish. This Hammermill paper comes in a box bundle containing five reams.
Best for Photos: HP Advanced Glossy Photo Paper, White
Bring your photos to life with the HP Advanced Glossy Photo Paper. Optimised for inkjet printers, your photos will come out of the printer smudge-free. The ink drys instantly so you can pass the photos around straight from the printer. You can't go wrong with HP!
The paper is 250 g/m² thick and measures 11 x 15 cm. It has a glossy finish that delivers impressive colour intensity. Also, the glossy finish gives paper water and fade resistance capabilities. The paper comes in different sizes, remember to check what paper size your printer accepts.
Best Premium Paper: Xerox Premier100Gm2 Paper
The versatility of Xerox Premier paper gives you the freedom to achieve the quality of prints you want. It includes lighter papers for mails and heavier papers for proposals and reports. This particular one is A4 size with 100 gsm paperweight. Such a heavy paper is perfect for duplex(double-sided) printing without smudging.
All Xerox papers are chlorine-free, meaning your documents won't turn yellowish over time. It is also economical to buy paper in bulk, especially if you print a lot. The Xerox paper comes in a box containing five reams, and each ream carries 500 sheets of paper.
Best Copy Paper: AmazonBasics Multipurpose Copy Paper
Without a doubt, you must have come across papers labelled copy, multipurpose or printer paper. It turns out that printer paper is heavier than both copy or multipurpose paper. For everyday multifunctional printing and copying, use this affordable AmazonBasics Multipurpose Copy. It is not the best paper when you want to make an impression, but it does the job.
The paperweight is 80gsm, which is an okay standard for regular inkjet printing. Since the paper works well in laser printers, it makes an excellent choice for high-volume everyday office printing. In its truest form as a multipurpose paper, it is sold as a single pack or a bundle with five reams. The paper is chlorine-free so you don't have to worry about documents yellowing over time.
Best for Colour Printing: Astrobrights Mega Collection, Colored Paper
What could life be without colour? The Astrobrights Color Paper is the best pick to breathe life into your paper creation. Each ream carries five different coloured papers totalling to 625 sheets. From paper crafts, room decor, party invitations, event promotions, scrapbook pages, art projects, page dividers to flayers. All your ideas will get the attention they deserve. Besides, they are engineered to work in both inkjet and laser printers.
This 89 gsm paper is well-dyed throughout to avoid a white core when you cut or fold it. It is acid-free to ensure the longevity of your creations. Colour is known to accelerate comprehension, readership, and content retention. Go ahead and print out those fantastic business and school ideas!
Bottom line
Taking a little extra time to choose the right printing paper is a move in the right direction. Always remember to adjust your printer's settings to match the type of paper and ink you are using. Photo specific printing papers come in various sizes. It is important to confirm the range of paper size your printer accepts.
The HP Premium Paper, A4 remains our overall best inkjet paper. This 90 gsm paper is heavy enough to withstand duplex printing without bleeding. The paper is not coated, which allows fast wet ink absorption and fast-drying prints. With its bright white shade, you get bold black texts and vivid colour prints. Lastly, Its 100% recycled, you don't have to worry about environmental degradation.
