Good paper for a normal (home office) printer
- AtomicClock
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Oct 19, 2023
I have a pretty conventional HP Laserjet which prints US letter paper. I've been printing more and more parts lately, and I wonder what you all use for paper. Ideally, it would be a little heavier than the standard 20# weight, take pencil marks well, and not be so shiny (maybe a matte paper; maybe not so bright a white). I tried some 32# paper which was nice, but it's just too bright. I think the office supply industry assumes everyone wants bright white, and when you buy the deluxe heavyweight paper, they don't compromise on the other things.
Yes, I'm overthinking it a bit. But sometimes that's fun, too.
Yes, I'm overthinking it a bit. But sometimes that's fun, too.
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
Staples brand 32# Ivory is nice and a little less smooth than the bright white. They also have 28# that's noticeably thicker than 20# but not quite like 32#. I'm not sure if it comes in Ivory.
I think all of those are labeled for laser, but I use inkjet with no problems.
I think all of those are labeled for laser, but I use inkjet with no problems.
- AndrewMeronek
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mar 30, 2018
I went through a phase of thinking about printer paper a few years ago. For "on the go" printing of music where I just need a copy for myself, I just go with the standard 20lb paper, normal whiteness. For more "important" printing:
I like 28lb paper. Not just for the density, but it also is opaque enough (at least, the brands I played with) that double-sided printing doesn't have much of any problems with being able to see too clearly the music on the other side from what I'm reading.
For the brightness/whiteness it really depends on how you think it will be read. If it's in less-than-totally-well-lit environments, 100% white is actually really nice. If it's in direct sunlight, that's too much and maybe something less bright would be better.
I hate glossy paper for music, in general, so I never used it.
I like 28lb paper. Not just for the density, but it also is opaque enough (at least, the brands I played with) that double-sided printing doesn't have much of any problems with being able to see too clearly the music on the other side from what I'm reading.
For the brightness/whiteness it really depends on how you think it will be read. If it's in less-than-totally-well-lit environments, 100% white is actually really nice. If it's in direct sunlight, that's too much and maybe something less bright would be better.
I hate glossy paper for music, in general, so I never used it.
- BGuttman
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
I use 24 pound 85% paper. 24 pound paper is firm enough to take the handling. 85% is not as bright white, although I'll use something whiter if that's all there is.
- MahlerMusic
- Posts: 158
- Joined: May 07, 2019
Any one print on 9" x 12" paper. Trying to source some but it is hard to find... in Canada.
- john14u
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Nov 18, 2023
- BGuttman
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
I just want to point out that most letter printers cannot handle 9 x 12 inch paper. You will need a printer capable of handling Ledger size (11 x 17 inch or A3 metric). Most of us make do with a standard Letter size (8½ x 11 inch, A4 metric) printer as these are much more common.
As an orchestra librarian I'd always get some violist who really wanted 9 x 12 parts. I'd send them over to Kinko's to enlarge the prints on to ledger paper and cut down to size. After looking at the cost of doing this they usually learned to play from the letter size copies.
As an orchestra librarian I'd always get some violist who really wanted 9 x 12 parts. I'd send them over to Kinko's to enlarge the prints on to ledger paper and cut down to size. After looking at the cost of doing this they usually learned to play from the letter size copies.