How to Judge the Quality of Office Paper

Paper is paper, right? Wrong! Office paper is categorized by a variety of properties that determine the quality of the finished product. From weight to brightness, below are some elements to look for when selecting a high-quality office paper.

• A jam-free performance guarantee – Whenever an employee has to deal with a printer jam or equipment malfunction, they are spending less time on essential work. To keep everyone in the office focused on the tasks at hand, look for a paper brand with a jam-free guarantee, like Boise Paper’s 99.99% Jam-Free® Performance Guarantee, to ensure optimal productivity and performance in the office.
• The correct thickness – Heavier weight papers provide more durability, stiffness, and opacity (higher opacity means less show-through) for important documents, like reports and presentations. A good rule of thumb is to use 20 lb. paper for every day, internal use, and 24 lb. or greater for higher profile, external use.
• Smoother paper for crisper print – A smooth paper finish is not only pleasant to the touch, but also to the eye. When a paper has a smoother texture, it indicates that it is free from loose fibers and other rough characteristics. Additionally, the smoother finish helps keep the ink on the paper surface and delivers better imaging. Look for smooth paper for a high-quality appearance.
• The right brightness – Brightness refers to the amount of light that is reflected from a piece of paper. Most papers range between 92 and 100 on the brightness scale. The higher the number, the brighter the paper. Using a brighter paper makes colors more vibrant and appealing – giving graphics and images the appearance of “popping” off the page. 
• Made in the USA – Papers that are made in the U.S., like Boise Paper, adhere to rigorous quality and manufacturing standards, so you can be sure they will be consistent and reliable.

Choosing a high-quality office paper can impact workplace output and your company’s presentation – ultimately affecting your bottom line.