Paper Buying Guide

Paper: Two syllables, two vowels, two -p's and an -r. White, light and b-o-r-i-n-g. Or is it? If you look at all the different types of paper and what you can do with it, you may not judge so harshly. In fact you find out that it is one of the most versatile substances known to man. More versatile than silly putty ? Quite possibly. 

Fact: Paper + Origami book  = Good Family Fun. 

 

Writing Paper

Notebook/Filler Paper 

  • Widely or thinly lined/ruled.
  • Comes in various sizes.
  • With holes and/or perforations.

Legal Pad 

  • Flips from top.
  • Available with perforated edges.
  • Popular among businesses.
  • Mood lifting yellow hue.

Shorthand Notebook 

  • Compact.
  • Spiral binding for easy flip access.
  • Good for people who jot quickly.
  • Frequently used by journalists.

Post Its 

  • Wonderful.
  • Sticks to anything.
  • Good for leaving notes.
  • Cheap and easy wall decoration.

Stationary

Stationary Sets 

Blank Cards 

  • Gives a decorative touch.
  • Can reflect personal taste and style.
  • Appears much neater than paper from a pad.
  • Blank interior allows you to choose its purpose.

Custom Stationary 

  • Looks neat and professional.
  • Can include personal or business information (such as name, address, and work title.
  • Can be as unique or plain as you wish.

Art Paper

Drawing 

  • Comes in sheets of differing thickness and size.
  • Can be bought in pads or as loose sheets.
  • Perfect for organising sketches.
  • Different designs for: charcoal, coloured pencil ,pencil  and pen .

Painting 

  • Available for all types of paints .
  • In sheets of thin and therefore easily portable canvas .
  • Downfalls: pad cannot be closed and a new painting cannot be started until work dries. This is not a problem if you do not mind taking the paper out of the pad.

Tracing 

  • Comes in pads or is sold loosely.
  • Good for tracing prints, pictures, or photographs.
  • Good for rubbing the outline of objects (if this is to be done, make sure the paper is sufficiently thick; otherwise, use thin drawing paper.

Construction (Coloured) Paper 

Graph Paper 

  • Used by architects for blueprinting.
  • Also used in certain maths courses.
  • Good for creating smooth lines and dividing sections of a layout.

Paper Frequently Found in Offices

Copy Paper 

  • For Copy Machines  and printers.
  • Available acid-free.
  • Reams typically sold per five hundred sheets.
  • Colour: white.

Fax Paper 

  • For Faxes .
  • Varies in width.
  • Coated on outside.
  • Universal compatibility.
  • Cannot be used as legal evidence.

Computer Paper 

  • For...printers ? (Yes, this is your standard printing paper).
  • Colours ranging from clinical white to funky neons.

Laser/Colour Copier Paper 

  • Good for printing the bold colours of laser printers  and colour copiers .
  • Available with hole punches.
  • Available in attached sheet "continuous" style.
  • Ideal for business, legal, educational, and medical use.

All-In-One 

  • Compatible with all printers, faxes, copiers, and other office equipment.
  • Acid free for archiving.
  • Simpler than buying several kinds of paper.
  • Downside: not custom made for specific machines.
 

Speciality Paper

Photo Paper 

  •  Thick, heavy paper for sharp images.
  • Available in semi-gloss, gloss, or high gloss finishes.
  • Compatible with laser printer and copiers.
  • Saves money on developing film.
  • Ideal for family photos, brochures, flyers, and documents.

For Business Cards 

  • Allows you to design your own business cards.
  • Cheaper than ordering them.
  • Allows you to print extras at your own will (so you will not end up with too few or too many).
  • Make your business cards earth-friendly by printing them on soy ink.

 

Carbon Paper 

  • Used for making one or more copies simultaneously.
  • Generally produces up to five copies.
  • Frequently used for receipts, surveys, and other instances where a quick dual copy is necessary.
  • Like the fax document, carbon copies are not reliable pieces of legal evidence.

Quick reminder: Don't forget to RECYCLE.