Best Printer Paper by Weight and Brightness (2026)

The best printer paper for most home offices is a 24 lb sheet with 96 to 100 brightness, such as Hammermill Premium Multipurpose (24 lb, 97 brightness), because it shows less show-through on double-sided prints than ordinary 20 lb paper. For everyday drafts and bulk printing, Hammermill Copy Plus (20 lb, 92 brightness) or HP MultiPurpose20 (20 lb, 96 brightness) is enough. For reports, proposals and colour documents, step up to a 28 to 32 lb paper such as HP Premium32 (32 lb, 100 brightness).

Our top picks

Top pickHammermill Printer Paper

Check price on Amazon

Also greatHammermill Printer Paper

Check price on Amazon

Also greatHammermill Printer Paper

Check price on Amazon

Also greatHammermill Printer Paper

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Quick comparison of printer paper

What paper weight and brightness really mean

Paper weight in the US is a basis weight. A 20 lb sheet is the standard copy weight, 24 lb is a premium office weight, and 32 lb is a heavy, presentation-grade stock. In gsm, 20 lb is about 75 gsm, 24 lb about 90 gsm and 32 lb about 120 gsm. Brightness is a 0 to 100 scale for how much blue light a sheet reflects. Higher brightness gives more contrast with black text and makes colours look sharper. It does not change print speed or ink usage.

Best everyday budget: Hammermill Copy Plus

Copy Plus is listed at 20 lb and 92 brightness, acid-free and quick drying. Hammermill advertises a 99.99 percent jam-free guarantee. It is ideal for drafts, school work and shipping labels printed on plain sheets. The trade-off is lower brightness and more show-through on double-sided prints.

Best all-rounder: HP MultiPurpose20

HP’s 20 lb option is rated 96 brightness, which looks noticeably whiter than 92. It suits households that print both text and occasional photos on plain paper.

Best for jam-free high volume: Boise X-9

Boise X-9 is a 20 lb bright white copier paper designed for a 99.99 percent jam-free run, according to its maker. If you run a high-speed laser printer or a copier, reliability matters more than a brightness point.

Best for double-sided printing: Hammermill Premium Multipurpose

A 24 lb sheet at 97 brightness is thicker and more opaque than 20 lb stock, so text on the back does not show through. One buying guide recommends 24 lb paper with 96 to 100 brightness for most users. The trade-off is a small price premium and slightly more weight in the feeder, which older printers handle fine.

Best for colour and presentations: HP Premium32 and Hammermill Premium Color

HP Premium32 is 32 lb, 100 brightness and about 163 whiteness, with a very smooth surface and ColorLok technology for brighter colours and bolder blacks. Hammermill Premium Color is also 32 lb and 100 brightness, aimed at presentations and marketing materials. These sheets feel more like card than office paper, which makes client-facing proposals look better. Check your printer’s maximum weight, since some small inkjets list limits around 28 lb.

How to choose by printer type

Laser printers

Laser printers fuse toner with heat, so paper needs a smooth, dry surface. Standard 20 to 24 lb copy paper works. Avoid glossy inkjet-only papers, which can melt in a laser fuser.

Inkjet printers

Inkjets spray liquid ink, so absorbency matters. Look for ColorLok or inkjet-specific labels. Heavier 24 to 32 lb paper holds ink without cockling.

Decision matrix

Worked example: cost per page and show-through

A 500-sheet ream of 20 lb paper weighs about 5 pounds, and a 24 lb ream weighs about 6 pounds. If the 24 lb ream costs 20 percent more than the 20 lb one, the extra cost per page is 20 percent of a small number. For a 50-page double-sided report, that is trivial compared with the cost of reprinting an unreadable page. Heavier paper also reduces curl and lowers the risk of ink bleeding through.

Storage and printing mistakes

• Leaving paper in humid rooms, which makes sheets curl and jam.
• Fanning the ream before loading it into the tray to separate sheets.
• Printing on the wrong side; many reams mark an arrow for the print side.
• Using photo settings on plain paper, which wastes ink.

Paper for specific jobs

Environmental and sourcing notes

Look for FSC or SFI certification marks on the ream if sourcing matters to you. Recycled paper has improved and often reaches brightness levels near 92 to 96, though some printers may need a test run to confirm feeding performance. Buying in bulk lowers cost per sheet and plastic waste.

Check your printer’s specifications

Look up the maximum paper weight in the printer manual. Many home inkjets accept up to 28 lb, laser printers often go up to 32 lb or more through the main tray, and some feed trays are limited to 20 to 24 lb. Using paper beyond the limit can cause jams and uneven feeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best paper weight for a home printer?

20 lb is fine for text and drafts, and 24 lb is better for double-sided printing. Use 28 to 32 lb for reports and colour documents.

Does brightness affect print quality?

Yes, a higher brightness gives better contrast and slightly more vivid colours. The difference between 92 and 96 is visible, while 97 to 100 is subtle.

Can I use copy paper in an inkjet printer?

Yes, standard copy paper works. For sharper colours, choose a paper with ColorLok or inkjet labels.

Is more expensive paper worth it?

For drafts, no. For documents you hand to clients, it is worth the small price difference.

How do I stop paper jams?

Store paper flat and dry, fan the sheets before loading, and match the paper weight to the printer’s limit. Clean the rollers if jams persist.