There is a common misconception that all papers do exactly the same job – that there are few differences separating them. This is, nonetheless, completely untrue.
Believe it or not, there is science behind all of this. And though it might all sound very confusing, in reality, the facts are relatively simple.
When it comes to picking the perfect printer paper, there are three fundamental ingredients that must be combined to create the perfect sheet. So, what are those three ingredients?
Pulp, water and filler (Calcium Carbonate) are the key components used in this process.
The Calcium Carbonate filler is designed to increase opacity, and often improves the texture of the paper, making it smoother and more even.
Smooth paper that’s rich in opacity sounds great, doesn’t it? On paper (if you’ll pardon the pun), it is, but actually, filler can prove rather costly in the long run.
Let’s explain all of this in simple terms…
So, wood pulp is more expensive than filler. You’ll therefore usually find that cheap, low value paper contains a high proportion of filler.
This is great – to begin with…
So, what’s the catch?
Well, the drawback with filler is that it’s highly abrasive. Sure, it’s cheap to buy in the first instance, but the subsequent damage that it can inflict on the drums of your machine is often very expensive.
In short, the initial attraction of cheap, poor-quality paper can eventually cost you lots, lots more.
It’s hard to believe that paper quality can directly affect the lifetime of your machine. Who knew that all those cheap packs of paper wouldn’t be so cheap, after all?
Choosing the right printer paper is absolutely essential in a number of ways. Not only can it minimise the risk of depreciation, it can also optimise the performance of your ink and toner.
Opting for higher quality, specifically-designed, inkjet paper prevents bleeding and smudging, maintaining optimal-quality prints for the lengthiest amount of time.
Research has actually revealed that printer problems account for one of the most frequent technical issues in office environments, so it’s important to consider the different ways in which you can prevent undue wear and tear.
The key is to do your research. Find out what paper best suits the style of machine you have, whether you use ink or toner, what type of ink you are using and so on. Paper comes in all different shapes, sizes, textures – everything. And each little component in that paper will make a difference to the quality of output that you receive.
To view our broad selection of paper, head over to Printerbase now!
