The Perfect Paper For Your DIY Project

Don’t look past the importance of good paper! A high quality paper will make your wall art withstand the test of time, your photography will pop and your cards will appear professional. Below is your guide to the best paper for printing. The first part of this article is your paper 101 guide. At the bottom are recommendations for the best paper based on your project.

The Basics: Paper 101

Below are several categories to consider when shopping for paper. Keep in mind that these different categories can be mixed and matched. For example, you can get an acid free paper with texture, or a coated paper with 65# paper weight

Computer Paper

For most of my projects, I print on regular computer paper. I use computer paper because my planner pages end up getting thrown away once I’m done with them and my wall designs get changed out seasonally. Computer paper is the easiest and most cost-effective option. Here are the top brands of computer paper that I recommend based on price. Each of these options are 20 lbs. paper weight and have an uncoated/matte finish. There is no difference other than price and brand.

Acid Free Paper

If you want your project to withstand the test of time, then you need to invest in a good acid free paper. Acid free paper helps preserve the ink quality, allowing prints to be vibrant for a longer period of time and avoid sun damage. Below are recommendations of acid-free paper that vary in paper size and weight.

Paper Size

I always print with 8.5 x 11 paper and trim down, however you may want a paper that fits your project without having to deal with the trimming. If you want to experiment with resizing your pages, then check out how to resize printables easily.

Once you have your project prepped for printing, determine the dimensions and account for any margin space (such as frame thickness if you are printing wall art). If you are printing cards, here are some common paper sizes:

A5: 5.8 x 8.3 (invitations, menus and programs)

A6: 4.1 x 5.8 (cards and folded cards)

A7: 2.9 x 4.1 (business cards, custom stickers and seasonal hang tags)

Paper Weight

Also known as paper stock. Standard white paper stock (such as computer paper) is 20 lbs. paper weight. As weight increases, you will start to get into heavier card stocks. Below are the best paper stock types and

24 – 28 lbs paper weight – the best paper weight for book printing, text documents, presentations, brochures

30 – 40 lbs paper weight – the best paper weight for posters, brochures, flyers, double sided printing, lightweight signs

40 – 65 lbs paper weight – the best paper weight for invitations, stationery, sketching, thin business cards,

65 – 80 lbs paper weight – the best paper weight for business cards, price tags, postcards, formal invitations

Below are recommendations for various paper stock I have used:

Texture

You may want to enhance your printables for formal invitations or to create a watercolor effect. For these kinds of projects, printing on a textured matte paper will make a world of difference in the final quality. Keep in mind that certain printers may not support printing on thick textured paper. You can read my review of different printers here where I discuss each printers capability of printing on textured paper. Below are recommendations for high quality paper that use different natural textures. All of these paper options look great on cards and invitations!

Coated vs Uncoated Paper

Do you prefer a high gloss or matte finish? Typically, uncoated paper will create a matte finish. This is found on computer paper and text based paper. I prefer a matte finish for my personal projects due to cost effectiveness. Also, uncoated paper looks natural on cards and invitations. The ink from my inkjet printer stands out beautifully on matte paper and doesn’t smudge.

If you are selling printables then you may want to consider a coated paper. Bare in mind that cheaper inkjet printers may not print well on coated paper, so it is worth trying a few paper types before selling your final product. Coated paper is the best printing paper for photos and illustrations. You can feel coated paper on coffee table books and high quality magazines.

Most of the paper sources I have recommended above are uncoated, so below are suggestions for amazing high quality coated paper:

Recommendations Based On Your Project

Now that you have an idea of what to consider when choosing your paper, I will break down the best paper for your project!

Wall Art, Cards and Photography

Cards and wall art are so much fun to create! Wall art can make your home more cohesive and custom cards can add a personal touch to the holiday season. Don’t know where to start on creating wall art and cards? Check out how to make printables and how to create easy graphic designs.

Now that your beautiful masterpiece is ready to print, you need paper that is worthy of the project. Here are the best paper types based on your project:

Best Bang For Your Buck: 20 lbs uncoated paper (standard white paper stock).

Wall Art and Cards: textured paper that is uncoated

Linen Paper:

Plant Me Paper – Great for Wedding Invitations: uncoated, thick paper (has seeds in it):

Best Photography Stock: Coated Paper, Heavy Paper Weight (69 lbs):

Planner Pages

If you are a sharpie user, then consider investing in a thicker paper to avoid any pen bleeds. Thicker paper is also great for printing double sided and will give your DIY planner a professional feel. For all planners I recommend a matte finish. 20 lbs paper weight will work perfectly for quick printables. 60 – 70 lbs paper weight achieves a professional appearance and avoids bleeding through. 65 lbs. paper weight is the common types of paper stock for happy planner and other professional planners. 80 lbs paper weight is awesome for planner dividers, separators and cover pages. If you are unsure of the best paper stock for your project, I recommend heading to a craft store and feeling the different types of paper.  

20 lbs paper:

65 lbs paper:

80 lbs paper: