Weight
- 80 g/m² — the standard for everyday documents.
- 90-100 g/m² — contracts, presentations, duplex printing without show-through.
- 160-300 g/m² — covers and business cards, but only if the device officially supports that weight.
Whiteness and Opacity
Whiteness affects contrast, while opacity determines whether the reverse side shows through. For duplex printing, choose paper with opacity of 91% or higher, otherwise text will "ghost" through.
Humidity — The Main Enemy
Paper absorbs moisture from the air. A damp ream causes wavy sheets, jams, and poor toner fusion. Keep your stock in sealed packaging, not on the floor or near a window, and use an opened ream within a week.
What to Avoid
- Paper with visible dust on the edge — it settles on the rollers and drum.
- Recycled paper in devices with a high fusing temperature.
- Sheets with bent corners and leftovers from previous reams — those belong in the scrap pile.