First, and most important, Paper.com markets 40,000 paper items. We sell only the best quality papers, at competitive prices, and attempt to fulfill all orders within 24 hours. If you do not find exactly what you are looking for, contact our paper experts at 888/PaperGreat.

If you picture our website as a giant Paper Shopping Mall, and inside the mall, are 8 individual stores, focusing on specific categories of paper. The 8 stores (each represented with a colored tab at top) include Office, Stationery, School, Theme, Seasonal, Environmental Friendly, Art, and Scrapbooking. You may wish to clink on the links on left side of each page; these links outline the categories, brands, uses, sizes and grades in each store. Each has sub navigational aids if you click on the tab. The site also has many helpful aids along the right side. On the right are informative paper links and on the bottom right is a ‘shop by mill and brand. We also have a ‘search by color’.

Do not be afraid to click on ‘Advanced Search’ in the upper right corner. This popular method guides you through a series of questions to find the right paper item

When deciding on what type of paper to use for a particular end use the following characteristics must be decided (of course, if you ever are uncertain or need help, talk to the paper experts at Paper.com – all we do is paper. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff can be reached through telephone 888PaperGreat; LivePerson; or email – all accessible from the site, or review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section.

Characteristics include -

Paper Type - Paper is available in many different types such as bond, copy, text, cover, scrapbook, digital, carbonless, inkjet, laser, school, and writing – Paper.com has over 40,000 different paper items on site. Type of paper selected should be determined by the end use of the printed piece.

We can offer further explanation among the more popular types -

Writing/bond – As the name implies, these papers are primarily used for communications, they are generally smooth finish, but can also be embossed; and are available in recycled. These are usually bond papers used for office copies, personal stationery, resumes, newsletters, fliers, reports and general communication. This type of paper is generally offered in basis weights of 20, 24, and 28 pound. NOTE: Do not forget to order the matching envelope!!!

Text – These papers are available in a wide variety of colors, weights, and finishes. Most are available in recycled and are usually of high quality. These papers are generally used for brochures, manuals, direct mail, advertising, real estate promotions, invitations, and fliers. Popular weights include 50, 60, 70, 80 and 100 pound.

Cover – Only difference in Cover versus Text grades is the weight. The cover stock grades mirror all the same product offerings of Text, with the exception that they are heavier, thicker and stiffer. Popular end uses include covers to brochures and reports, presentations, folders, card stock, scrapbook, announcement, menus, posters, and programs. Cover stock weights include 60, 65, 80 and 100 pound. Use a cover stock when bulk and strength are important.

Special Papers – Papers for very specific uses are also offered at Paper.com. Carbonless is for multiple forms; Digital Papers are for just-in-time printing; Photographic Papers are designed to allow an end user excellent reproductive quality for printing photographs; Security Papers prevent anyone from reproducing your document; Green Papers are for our end users that wish to be environmentally friendly; Art Papers are generally very special and many are actually handmade; Scrapbook and Craft Papers are also very unique.

Color - Paper is normally available in a wide variety of colors. The Paper.com web site will provide you with all the colors available in a particular grade of paper. We market the entire rainbow of colors; from the very brightest of colors to black and brown. When shopping, do not be afraid to look beyond a specific shade; if you desire a buff color, please also review ivory, manila, natural, off white, light brown, or tan. This will expand the possibilities. Remember, even the color white has dozens of different shades.

Finish - Paper is also available in a variety of surfaces. Paper.com offers papers that are from ultra smooth papers to very rough to an embossed pattern of linen or laid, and cockle. The Paper.com web site will provide you with the all the surface finish available for any particular grade of paper.

Basis Weight - Paper comes in several different weights (see chart below). The basis weight is usually determined by the end use of the printed piece. Basis weight is described in both grams (GSM) and weight (pounds, lbs. or #).

Caliper/bulk – Refers to the thickness of the sheet. Typically, the heavier (higher basis weight) the sheet, the thicker it will be.

Example: A 28lb writing or bond is equivalent to 70lb text and a 39lb Cover.

Example: A 80lb writing or bond is equivalent to 32lb text and a 45lb Cover.

Example: A 65lb writing or bond is equivalent to 120lb text and a 46lb Cover.

Size- Many sizes are available in paper although we primarily market 8 ˝ x 11. The Paper.com web site can provide you with all the sizes available in a particular grade of paper. If you do not see the size you require, please ask. We also market rolls of paper.

Chief End Use – Very important to determine how you will use paper and if it will be printed and how. Will you print on a desktop copier? laser? inkjet? or a printing press? If your end use is a flier – you may elect to use a heavy weight paper – but your printer may not accommodate too heavy a sheet. Our site attempts to recommend best end uses for each paper, we advise, if in doubt, you should call 888-Paper-Great.

Price – Our site markets only the very best papers. Paper.com also has the value alternative, economically priced, bonds for the simple copying up to premium handmade and exotic papers. We offer only the very best of paper and our pricing is competitive. We realize shipping costs may appear somewhat high; unfortunately, paper is very heavy and easily damaged. We only ship with quality carriers and sometimes they are more expensive. Remember, “price is forgotten long after the quality is remembered”.