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All printing supplies are created equal, right? Actually, they're not. At HP, printing supplies are designed with their printers to ensure that they work together seamlessly. That means you’ll get HP's typical high quality print materials, plus save money and extend the life of your printer.
Why it matters what printer you'll be using
Few people spend much time thinking about paper and its role in the printing process, yet the quality of the output is significantly influenced by the paper used. For best results, be sure to use the correct printer driver and tray settings for your printer.
HP LaserJet printers use a fuser to bond dry toner particles in very precise dots to the paper. HP laser paper is designed to withstand this extreme heat. Using inkjet paper not designed for this technology could damage your printer.
HP Inkjet printers spray fine amounts of liquid ink onto a page to create an image and text. Laser papers are not designed to absorb ink, which could result in smearing or streaking.
Paper primer
Not sure which type of paper is best for your task? Here’s an explanation of the key paper features to help you make better decisions about what to buy.
Weight: Papers can be as light as newsprint or as heavy as cardboard. Usually, standard business papers weigh around 80gsm (grams per square metre). Greeting card and cover papers typically weigh about three times as much.
Thickness: The thickness of a paper affects its handling characteristics and is most applicable to photo papers. Generally, thicker media is stiffer – which means it resists creases and tears. Thickness is most often expressed in millimetres.
Brightness: Brightness refers to the amount of light reflected from the surface of the paper. The more light, the higher the brightness value – which means you get crisper text and a better background for vivid images and colour photos.
Opacity: Opacity describes how well the paper blocks the passage of light through it. The more opaque a paper, the less it shows what has been printed on the other side. Opacity is particularly important when selecting paper for brochures, newsletters, calendars and other applications when you need to print on both sides.
Finish: Finishes are becoming more and more sophisticated. Choosing the right finish dictates how the printed piece looks. For example, many people opt for the mirror-like finish of high-gloss for color, and matte finish for black and white photographs.
Scoring: A scored line makes it easier to fold greeting cards and brochures, for a more consistent and professional-looking product.
Smoothness: Smoothness affects how text and images appear on the page. The smoother a paper's finish, the sharper an image will appear.
Papers designed for HP LaserJet machines tend to be smoother to provide crisper text for fusing toner to a page, while HP inkjet papers do not need the same smoothness for applying ink drops. HP papers designed for photos are both smooth and bright so images sit high on the surface and reflect brilliant colours.
For online guidance on which type of paper to buy for your HP printer, visit the HP Supplies Finder Paper Wizard.
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