A Guide to A4 Printer & Copier Paper
A4 Printer Paper
A4 printer paper is designed for use in office printers. Paper density is measured in GSM or grams per square metre (g/m²) as a standard measurement.
| Type | Weight | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Printing | 70-75 gsm | Low-cost paper, great for drafts & short-lived documents |
| Office Printing | 75-80 gsm | Day to day office printing - meeting notes, internal letters and memos |
| Premium | 80 gsm+ | Letters & documents for customers |
To produce the best quality when printing pictures, graphs or charts use up to 250gsm for the best result.
75gsm and 80gsm papers are the same thickness - 75gsm is just lighter in weight and often lower cost.
Do I need inkjet or laser paper?
Laser and inkjet printers print in very different ways and certain papers are better suited to one or the other. Inkjet paper, for example, has good absorbency but does not allow the ink to spread sideways.
Which paper you need depends on your printer... is it inkjet or laser? Have a look at the front of your printer or in the printer's manual to find out. Using the right paper should help avoid annoying printer jams!
A4 Copier Paper
A4 copier paper is thinner than A4 printer paper typically 20lbs per ream instead of 24lbs. If you use A4 copier paper instead of A4 printer paper, you may end up with wrinkled paper and blurred images. A4 copier paper is typically fine for use for everyday text documents and photocopying.
A4 copier paper is typically much cheaper as it holds more static and dust. This means copier paper can make printers jam so if you want to avoid annoying printer jams it’s best to stick to printer paper.
Office Paper
Paper is vital in most offices. Daily it is used in businesses throughout the UK for printing letters, labels, documents and presentations. Paper is used in many office machines from inkjet and laser printers to photocopiers. Buying copier paper for day to day printing can save your business money.
The A4 Size
A4 is an international standard (ISO) paper size specified by ISO 216. A sheet of A4 paper measures 210 × 297mm and has an aspect ratio of 1:2, as do all international standard ISO 216 paper sizes.
Paper sizes in the A series share the 1:2 aspect ratio. Other sizes are defined by halving the previous size's area keeping the same ratio. This means that an A4 sheet of paper has the same area as an A3 sheet folded in half along the shorter axis. A5 is A4 folded in half in the same way. And so on. You can see this here:
The present-day A and B size system was first developed at the end of the 18th century in France. It was introduced to Germany as a DIN standard in 1922, and by 1975 so many people were using the German system that it was established as an ISO standard.
The less common B series consists of sheet sizes with an area the geometric mean of adjacent A series sizes: B1 is between A0 and A1 in area, B2 between A1 and A2, and so on.
A4 Copier & Printer Paper Frequently Asked Questions
Is copier and printer paper suitable for printing photographs?
Although you can print photographs on copier & printer paper but for a higher quality finish, we recommend glossy photo paper.
Is your A4 copier and printer paper recycled?
Answer: We offer a wide selection of copier and printer paper that has been recycled, meaning you can reduce your environmental impact. Please use our filter to view recycled a4 printer and copier paper options.
Can I print on this type of paper on both sides?
Yes, all the copier and printer paper listed on this page will allow you to print on both sides
What does GSM mean, and which type do I need?
GSM specifies the thickness of the paper. 80gsm is suitable for regular printing and copying, whilst 100-120gsm is suitable for letterheads. If you are looking to print some flyers, go for 300-350gsm.
Does your A4 copier and printer paper come with pre-punched holes?
Answer: Most of our A4 copier and printer paper does not come with pre-punched holes, so you will need to manually do this yourself with a hole punch. However, we do offer a small amount of pre-punched options. To view these, please use our filter feature. We also stock punched loose leaf paper and punched refill & memo pads.
Will your A4 copier and printer paper, work with Inkjet printers?
Yes, although specific Inkjet paper will produce the best results with Inkjet printers, all our copier and printer paper will work fine with this type of printer. To view the inkjet paper on this page, please use our filter feature.
Can I use inkjet paper in a laser printer?
No, if you purchase a pack of paper that is specifically labeled for use with an Inkjet printer, you should not use it with a Laser printer. This is because the coating on Inkjet paper will prevent the toner from sticking to it properly, resulting in a poor-quality print and possibly even damage to your printer.
Do you stock thicker coloured paper or card?
Yes, we have a range of coloured cards in both A3 & A4, with thicknesses from standard 160gsm (think the thickness of two pieces of paper) or extra rigid 210gsm.
