Initially, futurists and social scientists had anticipated that the advent of the paperless office was unavoidable and imminent. What with the discovery of e-mail and the Internet, the looming extinction of newspapers and magazines as well as the increasing popularity of e-books and electronic tablets, the human race would not need to use the forest-devouring paper any longer.
But things turned out differently. The widespread use of computers and other electronic gadgets has not dented the paper world one bit. In any case, individuals are using more paper than before. Instead of having to type a school project one page at a time, you can now press the “print” button and create up to 200 copies in a matter of minutes. Still, you have to be cautious about the type of paper you use for printing. One of the most popular choices is copy paper. This article highlights the best copy paper reviews.
What’s the Best Copy Paper?
With the variety of superb printer papers currently on the market, even professional printmakers find it difficult to choose the right copy paper. The number of options available on the market is just overwhelming. To make your shopping easy, we have narrowed down your choices to the five best cop papers.
Here are the best copy paper in order:
1. Office Depot White Copy Paper
Office Depot White Copy Paper, 8 1/2in....
If you work in an office, chances are that you go through several reams of paper within a short amount of time. Having Office Depot copy paper can come in handy when you run out of printing paper.
This copy paper comes in a letter size, which is suitable for a variety of applications. Office Depot copy paper works well whether it’s used for printing, copying or faxing.
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2. AmazonBasics Multipurpose Copy Paper
AmazonBasics Multipurpose Copy Printer...
The AmazonBasics copy paper is designed for high-quality, multipurpose every-day printing. This pack has five reams of 8.5” by 11” copy paper. There are about 2,500 sheets in total.
This copy paper is very versatile and it can be used in both laser and inkjet printers, copiers as well as fax machines. Also, the sheets feature 92 GE brightness; hence providing brilliant text and images.
3. Hammermill Color Copy Digital Paper
Hammermill Premium Color Copy 28lb...
If you’re looking to make design proposals, posters or premium color copies, the Hammermill Color Copy Digital is the best option. This copy paper is ultra-bright and super smooth, making it ideal for heavy toner applications. Also, it’s acid-free and provides the most stable surface for printing. Hammermill copy paper can be used with offset presses, laser printers and color copiers.
This package comes with 1500 sheets, which are all FSC-certified. In case you’re not pleased with its quality, Hammermill promises to replace or give you a full refund for your purchase.
4. CASOX9004 – Boise X-9 Copy Paper
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The most notable feature of the CASOX9004 is that it has 5000 sheets per unit. This is one of the most economical copy paper packs so if you’re a frugal shopper, Boise X-9 copy paper will fit your bill.
The Boise copy paper has the legal size of 8-1/2” by 14”, and it’s a multipurpose paper ideal for everyday copying and printing needs. Given that its brightness rating is 92, you can even use it for official documents.
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5. Xerox XER3R2047 Copy Paper
Xerox Copy Paper White (XER3R2047)
If you’re looking for a premium, ultra-white paper that will work perfectly with your laser or inkjet printer machine, the Xerox copy paper is your best bet. This 20 lb. paper boasts precision-cut edges, so you can use it for official purposes.
Based on several tests, the Xerox copy paper was found to be reliable and durable, thanks to its 99.99% jam-free operation.
6. TreeFrog™ Tree-Free Copy Paper
TreeFrog TFLTR5 Tree-Free Copy Paper,...
TreeFrog copy paper is specifically designed for the environment-conscious office worker. It is made purely from bagasse, which is a sugarcane byproduct. The good thing with such a raw material is that it’s readily available and renewable.
More than that, TreeFrog performs well as photocopy paper. It’s compatible with high-speed copiers and printers. TreeFrog is sold as a pack of 2500 sheets with each paper measuring 8-1/2” by 11”.
7. Member’s Mark – Copy Paper
Member's Mark - Copy Paper, 92 Bright,...
Member’s Mark copy paper is designed for small business owners, who are looking to save on their office supplies. For a decent price, you get 500 sheets per ream and since this is a 10 ream case pack, you’ll bet getting a total of 5000 sheets.
Each sheet of paper has a letter size, measuring 8-1/2 by 11 inches. Nonetheless, Member’s Mark results in high-quality printed paper, thanks to its 92% brightness rating. This copy paper is also acid-free and certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Inc.
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What is Copy Paper?
What is Copy Paper?This is one of the most versatile types of paper. You will often find it in copy machines, fax machines or on an office desk for jotting down new ideas. One thing that copy paper is known for is its light weight; has a base weight of 20 lb. Also known as copier paper, reprographic paper or dual-purpose, copy paper is incredibly thin and has a tiny amount of transparency.
The quality of any one paper is determined by its level of brightness. However, people like using copy paper because it’s simple; it may not have the glossy finish of inkjet paper but it’s compatible with an array of office equipment.
How is copy paper made?
Ideally, copy paper is made using cellulose- this is a fibrous compound extracted from trees. The way this happens is that cellulose is first diluted with water. In fact, making just one pound of paper requires about 100 pounds of water.
Afterward, manufacturers incorporate chalk, which is what adds a white hue to the paper. To make fine and strong copy paper, the cellulose fibers are ground even further to form paper pulp.
When the right consistency is attained, this paper pulp is spread out on a screen. At this point, one may add some tints of blue or purple dye to enhance the paper’s level of brightness.
The next stage involves extracting water from the pulp, which is achieved by passing this pulp through a machine that squeezes out water. The resulting mixture is then put in an oven for complete water extraction. The paper is also saturated with starch to reinforce it and to smoothen any stray fibers. The last step entails drying and pressing the copy paper so as to maintain the consistency of the thickness.
How to Choose the Best Copy Paper
If you want to buy the best copy paper for an easy photocopying experience, there are several factors to keep in mind. These include:
Brightness
This refers to how white or reflective the copy paper is. If it’s not bright enough, you won’t get proper contrast between the ink and the toner. Put simply; any white sections will appear all-white but sections in other colors won’t be as colored as they ought to. The level of brightness is rated on a scale of 1 to 100 with 100 being the brightest. For the best outcome, be sure to choose the brightest copy paper you can find. At best, it should have a brightness rating ranging between 92 and 97.
Weight
Another aspect to consider is weight, and it refers to how thick or heavy the copy paper is. If you’re buying laser paper for office use, you should consider one that is thick as its more high-quality. Thin paper gives the illusion of cheapness and that the printed document is not important. After all, thin paper is too delicate; it can get torn easily.
Paperweight is usually measured in pounds. Most copy paper brands describe the weight of the entire pack; be it 500, 1000 or more sheets. The ideal printer paper ought to have a weight of 20 pounds.
Opacity
Opacity refers to the amount of light that can pass through the copy paper. Most copy paper brands allow some amount of light to pass through. Put simply; this means that you can see texts on the other side if you hold it up to light. Copy papers with low opacity are low quality. Such paper allows the texts and images written on the other side to bleed through.
To prevent this, ensure you buy copy paper with medium or high opacity. As is the case with brightness, the higher the opacity, the better the grade of the copy paper. Avoid cheaply-priced copy papers because they have low opacity.
Texture
Texture is the roughness or smoothness of a copy paper and it’s determined by the materials used in its construction. The texture could be smooth, grained, silk or matte pebbled. For smooth copying, always choose smooth copy paper. Grained and matte pebbled copy papers will cause your laser printer to jam. Besides, ink usually spreads better on a smooth paper. So if you want paper that can serve as laser paper, go for ones with smooth textures. Textured-papers are more suitable for jotting down notes or making wedding invitation cards.
Paper Sizes
The size of the copy paper is another aspect worth considering. While most printers work well with different-sized papers, they can only accommodate a few key sizes. The four main sizes are:
A4 – This is the most commonly used paper size for printing and photocopying needs. It’s one of the standard sizes adopted by the International Standards Organization (ISO).
A5 – It’s a much smaller size of paper. Like similar-sized ISO papers, the A5 is used for virtually everything; for drawing, personal letters, notepads and more.
Letter- this paper size is common in the U.S., measuring 8-1/2 by 11 inches.
Legal – this is slightly bigger than the letter size and it measures 8-1/2 by 14 inches.
Wrap Up
The kind of copy paper you buy will determine the quality of your final print. If you want high-quality printer paper, be sure to check the paper’s brightness level, its texture, weight and opacity.