Recommended Printers

Standard For Printer Paper

Quality

HP LaserJet printers work best with high-quality media. This is characterized by uniform physical properties, freedom from dust and lint, accurate cutting to size, and proper packaging. Proper packaging protects media from moisture and physical damage. Note that paper quality directly effects printer maintenance (labor) cost.

Furnish (composition)

For optimal performance, use paper made from 100 percent chemical wood pulp and/or cotton fiber. Recycled paper made with no more than 5 percent groundwood, is also acceptable.

Finish (smoothness)

For sharp resolution or detail, use smooth paper. Paper finish is measured in units of Sheffield. The lower the Sheffield number, the smoother the paper. 

Paper specifications

Use white xerographic paper for most printing. Xerographic papers, also called photocopy or xerocopy papers, are usually made from chemical wood pulp and are characterized by a smooth surface, controlled electrical properties, heat stability, and cleanliness. These characteristics ensure good image transfer, fusing without excessive curl, and reliable printer operation.  Minimum 20 pound bond weight recommended.

Bond papers generally have a water mark and often use cotton fiber. These papers tend to have a rougher surface and their properties might not be controlled like those of xerographic papers. Your HP LaserJet printer will print black satisfactorily on many of these bond papers. Using this type of paper on HP Color LaserJet printers can degrade color print quality. However, paper manufacturers are now making laser-grade bond paper.