Margaret asked me to write up an entry about the papers we use since I am the guy who runs down to the paper store and buys the paper. Please note: These are color LASER papers. If you are printing with an inkjet, you need to buy INKJET papers because of the absorbency required to quickly let the ink set. If you print with an inkjet on a non-inkjet paper, your performance may vary (as they say) because the ink isn't absorbed instantly and it smears a bit. I have never found any issues with running inkjet papers through the laser printer, and, if Office Depot has a sale on a good inkjet paper, I will often buy it.
Xerox Digital Color Elite Silk printing paper for color lasers, eggshell finish, 80 lb: This is a very high-end paper and costs about $40-45 for a ream of 12x18 paper. But it prints beautifully. I like to use this for our interim brochures. It is not very thick and substantial, so I have to adhere any DVDs to the bottom, but for straight brochures it prints spectacularly. I'll try to get the actual paper name because this is not your low-end Xerox paper. (I recently bought the 80lb cover stock version of this paper, so I plan to try that out next week.)
Domtar Microprint 116 pound uncoated: If I want a heavier paper, this is fairly inexpensive and takes the toner well. It feels rough compared to the super-fine finish of the Xerox paper.
Kromecoat 12pt card stock, gloss coating on 1 side: For post-cards, I really like the Kromecoat papers. They get thicker than 12pt (which is around 110lb paper), but the toner in our printer doesn't adhere so well above 12 point, especially on a coated stock.
For high-gloss double-sided coated stocks - I've tried a variety and they all seem to print about the same; I just try to keep the cost down. If you print coated on both sides, you run the risk of toner smears unless the paper is relatively thin (e.g., 80 lb or less). Since I prefer a more substantial feel in our brochures, I'd rather sacrifice the coating for thickness. There are some cheaper Wausau papers that I keep in stock just to have some double coated paper, but the cheap Wausau papers aren't very bright - may 80/85 brightness, so things look a bit dull. BUT, if you're doing some mass printing and want to save a few dollars and need a double-sided coated paper (aka C2S in printer lingo), they are decent and don't jam or anything like that.
For plain white color laser printing, I've used a variety. I really like the Kodak, 105 brightness paper. Cost at Office Depot is usually around $7.50/500 sheets of 8.5x11. The paper store doesn't carry that, so I buy Mohawk Color Copy Premium, 28lb, 8.5x11, with a brightness of 100. You definitely get what you pay for to some extent, and I like a really bright paper to show off photos and our written materials. I also like a 28lb paper, though I will live with a 24lb if I don't have an 28lb. If I am printing bulk stuff (i.e., black toner on cheap white paper), I will typically use Office Depot's cheapest OD brand white paper. For us, it's too complicated to leave cheap paper in the printer for everyday use and switching it out with better paper for client printouts. Since the OD paper is about $3.50/ream compared to the Kodak at $7.50 a ream, it is double the cost, but realistically, we probably go through only 2 reams a month, so total cost for having great paper is about $60-70/year for us.
For letter writing papers, I like Crushed Leaf Writing by Fox Papers. It's got a nice uniform thread so it isn't distracting and is a high-end kind of feel. The cost reflects it - for 500 sheets, 24lb 8.5x11 paper, you will spend around $17. There are a few cheaper papers that look similar, but we don't print too much on this paper. This is what we use for printing builder-style inserts for our brochures (e.g., when we're printing floor plans).
As for offset press printing, my paper of choice is 100lb text (not card stock) with a UV laminant applied afterwards. This feels thick, is SUPER slick. I mean SUPER SLICK. It's impervious to water or the elements because it is coated in plastic, and the photos look gorgeous. NOTE: It adds around 10% to total cost, and not all printers have a UV laminator. This is basically melted plastic on the paper, so it takes hours for the paper to cool down where it can be trimmed.
I hope that helps. If you have a paper of choice, feel free to post it. The paper store that I use is Kelly's Paper because it is close by, but I've also used XPedx.
John Hokkanen, Encinitas Real Estate
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