HP LaserJet Printers - Print Media Guide
Paper types
Several types of paper are available.
● Archival paper
● Bond paper or letterhead
● Coated paper
● Colored paper
●
Copier paper (plain paper)
● Embossed and debossed paper
● Glossy paper
● Heavy paper, cover paper, and cardstock
● Laser paper
● Preprinted forms and letterhead
● Recycled paper
● Special print media
Archival paper
Paper that is used for archiving must meet the same specications as standard paper with a pH greater than 7.0.
Some archival demands are more stringent than others, requiring a specic degree of alkalinity and chemical
stability. Toner is chemically stable and should last as long as the paper does. Toner can be degraded by
petroleum-based solvents or plasticizers, such as those found in vinyl folders.
NOTE: There are no universal standards for what constitutes archival paper, but there are some generally
accepted properties. Archival paper should be acid free, should not contain groundwood or unbleached pulp,
should meet strict limits on metallic content, and should be free of optical brighteners that articially make the
paper whiter. For more information, see https://www.strathmoreartist.com/blog-reader/what-is-the-dierence-
between-acid-free-and-archival.html.
Avoid folding archival documents across printed areas or handling archival documents roughly. Discuss archival
requirements with your paper supplier.
Bond paper or letterhead
Bond paper or letterhead is premium paper that is often watermarked, sometimes uses cotton ber, and is
available in a wide range of colors and nishes with matching envelopes. Many manufacturers now design these
grades of paper with properties optimized for laser printing and advertise the paper as laser compatible or laser
guaranteed. Some of the rougher surface nishes, such as cockle, laid, or linen, might require the special fuser
modes that are available on some printer models in order to achieve adequate toner adhesion. For more
information about your printer specications, see https://support.hp.com/us-en/products/.
Coated paper
Clay- or other pigment-coated papers must be specically designed for laser printers. The electrical properties
must be controlled and the surface designed not to blister during fusing. The coating must not ake or shed
particles that can contaminate the printer.
8 Chapter 2 Guidelines for using print media ENWW