You may not realize it, but copy paper is NOT all created equally! Surely you’ve come across the “discount” paper that is delivered by the truckload. While cheap paper may seem ideal from a cost perspective, it’s usually not the case in the long run.
Quality Matters
Unfortunately, trying to save money on paper may result in spending MORE in the near future due to device malfunctions. Regardless, the loss of time and productivity just aren’t worth it. The hassle associated with the additional wear and tear that discount paper places on copiers isn’t justifiable in the end.
To properly explain the importance of paper quality, we consulted James Gilman with Perimeter Office Products. As Gilman states, “Consistency with the paper your office uses is key for printing. When people think about quality paper, many times, they just don’t want any issues when printing. There are several factors that can affect the consistency of paper, so choosing a reliable and quality sheet is your first step.”
Paper Selection
Selecting the appropriate type of paper ensures uniformity in size and cut. Cheaper paper often causes paper to jam, as the size may slightly inaccurate. Even a minuscule difference in paper size or cut, can cause issues. Eventually these problems will trigger device malfunctions, and therefore, increase the need for service and repairs.
Higher quality paper helps MFPs (multi-function printers) to operate more efficiently, while also ensuring it remains cleaner, for longer. Bargain paper produces dust, which ultimately accumulates and leads to paper jams and device errors. Quality paper also retains its shape, whereas cheaper paper often has a higher moisture content, leading to curled pages. As you may have guessed, when paper begins to curl, paper jams and other device malfunctions occur. The disadvantages of using bargain paper, far outweigh the small cost savings, particularly from a long-term perspective.
Gilman points out that, “low quality or poorly manufactured paper, using bad pulp mixtures and ream wraps can cause a host of issues to your printers. Some of these include, paper not feeding properly, paper jamming and excessive dust inside the equipment. Choose a quality paper to avoid these issues. It’s worth the few extra dollars per case.”
The bottom line is that the type of paper you select can drastically affect MFP output and performance. Be sure to consider paper weight, size, type and quality the next time you’re ordering copy paper. To learn more about the importance of paper quality and what our experts recommend, check out our follow-up blog, Why Paper Quality Matters: Part 2.
As always, AOT takes pride in educating and informing you of the latest best practices and industry trends. It is our honor to connect you with the expertise James Gilman, with Perimeter Office Products, delivers. For expert assistance regarding paper quality and selection, reach out today!