Paper types and weightPS-11
What types of paper are there? Woodfree, coated, Kent, drawing paper and washi compared, how to choose by use, and which work with inkjet and laser printers
Types of paper narrow down to two questions: is it coated, and what is it for? We show a chart and how to choose by use, then explain which papers suit which printers, step by step.
In this article (15 sections)
- Conclusion: how should you choose a type of paper?
- How do you convert the thickness of each type of paper?
What are the main categories of paper?1
How does coated paper differ from uncoated paper?2
- How is woodfree paper different from medium-grade paper?
- What kind of papers are Kent paper and drawing paper?
What kind of papers are kraft paper, recycled paper and washi?2
How do you choose types of paper for inkjet and laser printers?1
- How do you choose types of paper by use?
How do you tell types of paper apart by feel?1
- What are the common mistakes with types of paper?
- What terms come up with types of paper?
What else should you know along with types of paper?3
What are common questions about types of paper?6
- Sources
Types of paper number in the thousands if you divide them finely. FUJIFILM Business Innovation (FUJIFILM BI, a maker of multifunction printers) puts the number of broad types at about 50.
You do not need to memorize them all to choose a paper. You can narrow it down with two questions: is the surface coated, and what is the paper for?
Here is the key point. Choose a type of paper by two things: "coated or uncoated" and "use."
This article covers the following:
- The broad divisions of paper (paper vs paperboard, Western paper vs washi)
- How woodfree, medium-grade, art, coated and matte coated paper differ
- Features of Kent paper, drawing paper, kraft paper, recycled paper and washi
- How to choose paper by use
- How inkjet and laser printers differ in the papers they accept
- Tips for telling types of paper apart by feel and grain
Definitions are checked against the Japan Federation of Printing Industries, the Japan Paper Association and manufacturers' documents.
Conclusion: how should you choose a type of paper?
| Paper type | Category | Surface and make-up | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodfree paper | Uncoated | No coating; 100% bleached chemical pulp | Book and magazine text, documents |
| Medium-grade paper | Uncoated | No coating; 70%+ bleached chemical pulp (brightness about 70%) | Book and magazine text |
| Art paper | Coated | About 40 g/m² of coating on both sides; premium grade | Premium print work |
| Coated paper | Coated | About 20 g/m² of coating on both sides; glossy | Colour flyers, posters, catalogues |
| Lightweight coated paper | Coated | About 15 g/m² of coating on both sides | Colour pages, flyers |
| Very lightly coated paper | Coated (very light) | 12 g/m² of coating or less | Colour pages, flyers |
| Cast-coated paper | Coated | Higher gloss than art paper | Premium print work |
| Matte coated paper | Coated | Coated paper with the gloss toned down | Print work that should look premium |
| Copy paper (PPC paper) | Information paper | Varies by product (e.g. 65 g/m², 0.091 mm) | Copiers and printers |
| Recycled paper | Paper with recycled pulp | E.g. copy paper with 50% recycled pulp, ISO brightness 82% | Copying, printing, documents |
| Kent paper | Art paper for drawing | White and smooth; resists fuzzing when erased | Ink, pencil, paint, wet stretching, models |
| Drawing paper | Art paper for drawing | Varies by product (e.g. 157 g/m²) | Sketchbooks, school drawing |
| Inkjet paper (photo paper, etc.) | Printer-specific paper | Glossy, luster, satin, matte, etc. | Photos and postcards on inkjet printers |
| Kraft paper | Packaging paper | A typical packaging paper | Wrapping and bags |
| Washi (Japanese paper) | Washi | Made sheet by sheet from kozo, mitsumata, gampi and similar fibres | Shoji screens, calligraphy, woodblock prints, chiyogami |
| Paperboard | Paperboard | Thick board for corrugated boxes and cartons | Corrugated board, confectionery boxes, paper tubes |
Source (9)
- Japan Federation of Printing Industries, printing paper grades and coating weights
- FUJIFILM Business Innovation, "Roston Color White" (matte art paper)
- Japan Paper Association glossary (PPC paper)
- FUJIFILM Business Innovation, "SG" (50% recycled pulp)
- KOKUYO Kent paper
- KOKUYO Campus sketchbook (drawing paper)
- Canon PIXUS TS8330 series, "Supported media types"
- Japan Federation of Printing Industries, basics of printing paper
- Japan Paper Association, "Types of paper"
The types of paper and the uses they suit are shown in the table above. The category and surface columns give you a rough idea of each paper's character.
If you are printing at home or in the office, first check whether your printer accepts the paper. If you are ordering from a print shop, choose by how the finished piece should look.
Coated paper is the basic choice for vivid photos and colors, and uncoated paper for body text meant to be read. If in doubt, start from these two.
How do you convert the thickness of each type of paper?
Once you have chosen the type of paper, the next step is the thickness. "Paper weight conversion" in the tool above turns grammage into ream weight.
Print shops use shiroku-ban ream weight (kg), and printer manuals use grammage (g/m²). The same paper gets different numbers, so line them up with the tool.
The differences between units and typical thicknesses are explained in Paper thickness.
What are the main categories of paper?
Paper falls into two broad groups: "paper" and "paperboard." Paperboard is the thick board that becomes corrugated boxes and cartons.
| Broad category | What the paper is for | Familiar examples |
|---|---|---|
| Newsprint | Printing and delivering news | Newspapers |
| Printing and communication paper | Writing or printing to communicate | Notebooks, magazines, copy paper, postcards |
| Packaging paper | Wrapping and carrying | Rice bags, wrapping paper, paper bags, envelopes |
| Sanitary paper | Wiping | Tissues, toilet paper |
| Paperboard | Making corrugated board and boxes | Corrugated board, confectionery boxes |
The table follows the Japan Paper Association's "Types of paper" classification. This article focuses on printing and communication paper.
How is Western paper different from washi?
Western paper (yoshi) is made continuously by machine. Washi is made sheet by sheet from kozo, mitsumata, gampi and similar fibers.
Western paper came to Japan from Europe in the Meiji era and was called yoshi to tell it apart from washi. This is from the Japan Federation of Printing Industries' explainer.
Copy paper, printing paper and Kent paper are Western paper. Shoji paper and calligraphy paper are washi.
How does coated paper differ from uncoated paper?
Coated paper has a coating applied to its surface to make it smooth. Uncoated paper has no coating, so its fibers are exposed on the surface.
| Point of comparison | Uncoated paper | Coated paper |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Pulp fibers left exposed | Smoothed with a coating such as pigment |
| Main papers | Woodfree, medium-grade | Art, coated, lightweight coated |
| Common uses | Text pages of books and magazines | Color pages, posters, catalogs, flyers |
Pigment is a white, powder-like coloring material. The Japan Paper Association defines coated paper as paper coated with, for example, a mix of pigment and adhesive.
For vivid colors and photos, coated paper is the better fit. For pages that are mostly text, uncoated paper is widely used.
How do the types of coated paper differ?
Coated papers are divided by the amount of coating. According to the Japan Federation of Printing Industries' explainer, the amounts per m², for both sides together, are as follows.
| Type | Coating amount (both sides, per m²) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Art paper | Around 40 g | Premium paper, coated on a woodfree or medium-grade base |
| Coated paper | Around 20 g | About half the coating of art paper |
| Lightweight coated paper | Around 15 g | Less coating than coated paper |
| Very lightly coated paper | 12 g or less | Paper with a very light coating |
| Cast-coated paper | Not stated | Higher gloss than art paper |
Art paper is the premium paper with the most coating. Flyers and color magazine pages use coated or lightweight coated paper.
How is matte coated paper different from coated paper?
Matte coated paper is a coated paper with the gloss toned down. Coated paper is glossy, while matte coated paper has a non-glare look.
FUJIFILM BI calls its matte art paper an "elegant matte type." It suits print work that should look premium.
Very glossy paper can reflect room lights. For a booklet with lots of text and some photos, choosing a matte paper is one option.
How is woodfree paper different from medium-grade paper?
Woodfree and medium-grade paper are divided by their share of bleached chemical pulp. The guide is 100% for woodfree and 70% or more for medium-grade.
Bleached chemical pulp is fiber extracted from wood with chemicals and then whitened. The higher the share, the higher the brightness (whiteness) of the grade.
| Grade | Share of bleached chemical pulp | Approx. brightness |
|---|---|---|
| Printing paper A (high grade, woodfree) | 100% | Not stated |
| Semi-woodfree paper | 90% or more | Around 75% |
| Printing paper B (medium grade) | 70% or more | Around 70% |
| Printing paper C | 40% or more, under 70% | Around 65% |
| Printing paper D (low grade) | Under 40% | Around 55% |
The table uses the grades in the Japan Federation of Printing Industries' explainer. Woodfree paper is a high-grade paper that suits a wide range of uses.
One example of woodfree paper is FUJIFILM BI's "OK Prince woodfree (OKプリンス上質)". It is described as excellent in brightness and opacity, and suited to book text, manuals and posters.
What kind of papers are Kent paper and drawing paper?
Kent paper is a white, smooth paper for art materials. KOKUYO's premium Kent paper is described as suited to ink, pencil and paint.
| Paper type | Surface and make-up | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Kent paper | White and smooth; resists fuzzing when erased | Ink, pencil, paint, wet stretching, models |
| Drawing paper | Varies by product (e.g. 157 g/m²) | Sketchbooks, school drawing |
Source: KOKUYO Kent paper / KOKUYO Campus sketchbook (drawing paper)
KOKUYO's premium Kent paper fuzzes little even when you use an eraser. It comes in four grammages, from 157 to 262 g/m².
The thin weights are said to suit wet stretching (wetting the paper and taping it to a board beforehand), and the thick ones model making.
Drawing paper is paper for drawing pictures. KOKUYO's sketchbook uses 157 g/m² drawing paper.
If surface smoothness matters most, choose Kent paper. Drawing paper sizes are covered in Drawing paper sizes.
What kind of papers are kraft paper, recycled paper and washi?
Kraft paper is a typical packaging paper. In the Japan Federation of Printing Industries' classification, it falls under packaging paper.
| Type of paper | Category | Features | Main uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft paper | Packaging paper | Paper for wrapping and carrying | Wrapping, bags |
| Recycled paper | Contains recycled pulp | E.g. copy paper with 50% recycled pulp | Copying, documents |
| Washi | Washi | Made from kozo, mitsumata, gampi and similar fibers | Shoji paper, calligraphy paper, woodblock print paper, chiyogami |
Is recycled paper less white?
Some recycled paper is just as white. FUJIFILM BI's "SG" contains 50% recycled pulp and has an ISO brightness of 82%.
The same company's "EP" also has an ISO brightness of 82%. If you look only at whiteness, some products show no difference between recycled and regular paper.
Used paper is broken down in water back into fibers. Ink and staples are removed before it becomes material for new paper.
When is washi used?
Washi is used for shoji paper, calligraphy paper, woodblock print paper, chiyogami and more. These examples are from the Japan Federation of Printing Industries' explainer.
The paper of Japanese banknotes is also a kind of washi, made mainly from mitsumata. This is explained in the Japan Paper Association's paper Q&A.
Before putting washi through a printer, first check whether it is listed under "supported paper" in the manual.
How do you choose types of paper for inkjet and laser printers?
Which types of paper you can use depends on the printer type. For both types, the basic rule is to choose paper listed under "supported paper" in the manual.
| Type of paper | Inkjet (Canon TS8330 example) | Laser (Canon LBP162 example) |
|---|---|---|
| Plain paper, woodfree paper | 64 to 105 g/m² | 60 to 163 g/m² (change the setting by grammage) |
| Recycled paper | Supported (included in plain paper) | Supported |
| Postcards | Supported | Supported |
| Inkjet postcards | Supported | Not supported |
| Photo paper (glossy, matte) | Canon offers its own genuine paper | Not in the paper table |
| Kent paper, drawing paper 157 g/m² | Over the plain paper limit of 105 g/m² | Within the Heavy 3 range |
| Kent paper 230 g/m² | Over the range | Over the range |
| Paper with glitter or similar decoration | Not supported | Not in the paper table |
Paper made for inkjet may not work in a laser printer. The LBP162 manual lists inkjet postcards as paper that cannot be used.
The MG7500 inkjet accepts special paper other than genuine Canon paper up to 200 g/m². Depending on the model, 157 g/m² paper can go through.
Can coated paper for print shops be used in a home printer?
Coated paper for print shops is not on the TS8330's list of supported paper. To print photos, use inkjet photo paper.
For laser printers, there are coated papers made for laser. FUJIFILM BI offers a matte art paper for its own machines.
Even under the same name "coated paper," the print shop, inkjet and laser versions are different papers. When buying, check which machine the paper is made for.
When you buy a new type of paper, print just one sheet first. Epson also recommends a test print before printing in bulk.
How do you choose types of paper by use?
Choose the type of paper from what you are making. Types of paper and typical thicknesses by use are shown in the table below.
| What you are making | Type of paper | Typical thickness (grammage) | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal documents, copies | Copy paper, recycled paper | 64 to 68 g/m² | FUJIFILM BI |
| Text pages of books and magazines | Uncoated paper (woodfree, etc.) | 64 to 81.4 g/m² | Japan Federation of Printing Industries, FUJIFILM BI |
| Flyers, leaflets | Coated papers such as coated paper | 81.4 to 104.7 g/m² | Japan Federation of Printing Industries, FUJIFILM BI |
| Posters, catalogs | Coated paper | Around 104.7 g/m² | Japan Federation of Printing Industries, FUJIFILM BI |
| Brochures, tickets | Coated paper, woodfree paper | Around 127.9 g/m² | FUJIFILM BI |
| Business cards, covers, company brochures | Heavy paper | 157 to 209.3 g/m² | FUJIFILM BI |
| Pen drawings, models | Kent paper | 157 to 262 g/m² | KOKUYO |
| Sketching | Drawing paper | 157 g/m² example | KOKUYO |
| Homemade postcards | Heavy paper | About 135 g/m² or more | Calculated from Japan Post's terms |
Even for the same use, starting from thinner paper for anything you mail makes it easier to keep postage down. The weight calculation is shown in Paper thickness.
Paper sizes for photo prints are covered in Photo print sizes.
How do you tell types of paper apart by feel?
You can get a rough idea of the type of paper from its gloss and feel. Check the exact brand on the packaging or the product page.
| What to check | Coated paper | Uncoated paper |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss | Glossy (matte types are non-glare) | Almost none |
| Feel | Smooth | You can feel the fibers |
| Example labels | Art, coated, matte | Woodfree, plain paper |
KOKUYO's product pages state the type of paper, as in "Paper: Kent paper" or "Paper: drawing paper." If in doubt, look at the paper type and grammage labels.
How do you find the grain of paper?
The grain is the direction in which the paper's fibers line up. According to the Japan Paper Association, paper tears more easily along the fibers.
Tear the paper a little lengthwise and a little crosswise, and you will find the direction in which it tears straight. The direction it tears straight is the direction the fibers run.
FUJIFILM BI sells A3 paper with the grain direction marked, as in "A3Y". The Y marks yokome (横目), or short grain.
What are the common mistakes with types of paper?
The most common is trying to use paper meant for print shops in a home printer. The mistakes people most often ask about are shown in the table below.
| Mistake | What happens | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Using print shop coated paper in an inkjet | It is not on the supported paper list | Use inkjet photo paper |
| Using inkjet postcards in a laser printer | The LBP162 cannot use them | Use regular postcards |
| Putting thick Kent paper into an inkjet | It can cause paper jams | Check the grammage range in the manual |
| Comparing papers by ream weight figures alone | Different sheet sizes lead to thickness mix-ups | Compare by grammage |
| Putting glitter paper into a home printer | Canon lists it as paper that cannot be used | Ask a print shop |
| Feeding washi without checking the manual | You cannot tell whether it is supported | Check "supported paper" |
When unsure about the type of paper, start from "which machine will print it." Once the machine is decided, the choice of paper narrows a lot.
What terms come up with types of paper?
| Term | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western paper (yoshi) | Paper made continuously by machine | Japan Federation of Printing Industries |
| Washi | General name for paper developed in Japan | Japan Paper Association |
| Paperboard | Thick board that becomes corrugated boxes and cartons | Japan Paper Association |
| Coated paper | Paper coated with, for example, a pigment and adhesive mix | Japan Paper Association |
| Uncoated paper | Paper with no coating | Japan Paper Association |
| PPC paper | Paper for copiers. Short for plain paper copier | Japan Paper Association |
| Bleached chemical pulp | Fiber extracted from wood with chemicals and whitened | Term from the Japan Federation of Printing Industries' grades |
| Brightness | Whiteness of paper, expressed as a % | FUJIFILM BI (ISO brightness) |
| Recycled pulp | Fiber made from used paper | Japan Paper Association |
| Grain | The direction in which paper fibers line up | Japan Paper Association |
What else should you know along with types of paper?
How do you choose paper thickness?
Choose paper thickness by comparing grammage (g/m²).
Unit differences and conversion are explained in Paper thickness.
How do you choose paper size?
Choose paper size from standards such as the A and B series.
The full list of standards is in Paper size list.
Where do the numbers on this site come from?
The types of paper table on this site comes from a single dataset. Each row shows the document it is based on as its source.
How we check figures and our editorial policy are described in About this site.
Paper types and weightWhat are the units of paper thickness? Grammage, ream weight and caliper (mm) compared and converted, typical copy paper, Kent paper and postcard thickness, and what printers can feedPaper thickness units: grammage (g/m²), ream weight (kg) and caliper (mm), shiroku-ban and kiku-ban conversion, common papers, printer limits and mailing weight.
Photo and drawing paperWhat size is drawing paper in cm? Yotsugiri and yatsugiri dimensions, how they compare with A and B sizes, school rules and choosing a frameJapanese drawing paper sizes from the full sheet to yotsugiri and yatsugiri in mm and cm, why sources differ by a few mm, vs A and B sizes, school rules and frames.
Paper sizesPaper Size Chart: A, B, Letter, Photo and Postcard Sizes, Uses, How to Choose and ScalingPaper sizes in mm, cm and inches with uses. A and B series rules, ISO vs JIS B sizes, Letter, photo, postcard and business card sizes, choosing by use and scaling.What are common questions about types of paper?
How many types of paper are there?
About 50 broad types, and thousands if divided finely. These figures are from FUJIFILM BI's explainer.
When choosing, narrow it down by coated or uncoated, and by use.
What is woodfree paper?
An uncoated printing paper made from 100% bleached chemical pulp.
It is a high-grade paper used widely, from book text to documents.
What is the difference between coated and matte coated paper?
Both are coated papers. Coated paper is glossy, and matte coated paper has the gloss toned down.
Choose coated paper for vivid photos, and matte coated paper for a calmer look.
What is the difference between Kent paper and drawing paper?
Kent paper is white and smooth, and suits ink, pencil and paint. Drawing paper is the paper for pictures, used in sketchbooks and similar pads.
To draw fine lines cleanly, choose smooth Kent paper.
Can recycled paper be used in a printer?
In Canon's examples, both inkjet and laser printers can use recycled paper.
The inkjet manual includes recycled paper under plain paper.
Where can you look up types of paper?
Check the label on the packaging and the manufacturer's product page. They list the type of paper and the grammage.
For an overview of the categories, see the Japan Paper Association's "Types of paper" page.
Sources
- Types of paper (Japan Paper Association, in Japanese. Categories of paper and paperboard)
- Glossary (Japan Paper Association, in Japanese. Coated paper, PPC paper and other terms)
- Paper Q&A (Japan Paper Association, in Japanese. Banknote paper, paper grain and more)
- Basics of the paper used in printing (Japan Federation of Printing Industries, in Japanese. Western paper, washi and packaging paper)
- Types of printing paper and coating amounts (Japan Federation of Printing Industries, in Japanese. Coating amounts and pulp grades)
- Paper basics: classification of Western paper (FUJIFILM Business Innovation, in Japanese. About 50 broad types)
- Paper thickness (FUJIFILM Business Innovation, in Japanese. Grammage and typical uses)
- OK Prince woodfree (FUJIFILM Business Innovation, in Japanese. Brightness, opacity and uses)
- Roston Color White (FUJIFILM Business Innovation, in Japanese. Matte art paper)
- EP copy/printer paper (FUJIFILM Business Innovation, in Japanese. ISO brightness 82%)
- SG recycled copy/printer paper (FUJIFILM Business Innovation, in Japanese. 50% recycled pulp, ISO brightness 82%)
- Premium Kent paper A4 157 g, SE-KP19 (KOKUYO, in Japanese. Ink, pencil and paint)
- Campus sketchbook for general and student use A4-S, E-300 (KOKUYO, in Japanese. Drawing paper, 157 g/m²)
- PIXUS TS8330 series: supported paper (Canon, in Japanese. Plain paper, photo paper and postcards)
- PIXUS TS8330 series: paper that cannot be used (Canon, in Japanese. Glitter paper and paper outside the range)
- PIXUS MG7500 series: supported paper (Canon, in Japanese. Special paper up to 200 g/m²)
- Satera LBP162/LBP161: paper (Canon, in Japanese. Usable grammage and unusable inkjet postcards)
- WF-845 Paper Specifications (Epson, US)