Last updated on May 18th, 2022 at 03:45 pm
When people talk about “office copy paper”, they’re referring to the types of paper that most people that is used in printers and photocopiers at home/work. This is also the kind of paper that people usually buy at their local office supply stores (ex. Staples, Office Depot, Wal-Mart, etc).
The standard office copy paper weight is most commonly called “20 lb. bond”. Standard office copy paper weighs approximately 10.0 lbs per 1000 sheets. Office copy paper is the cheapest blank white paper you can buy.
Another name for this same copy paper weight is: “50 lb. uncoated text”
Yes, “20 lb. bond” and “50 lb. uncoated text” are basically the same kinds of paper. There is no difference between the two names for the paper. Weird, isn’t it?
Typically you see the different names depending on where you’re buying the paper from. But they’re both “office copy paper”; similar in color, thickness, and weight. It’s simply two different ways of manufacturing and naming the same paper.
The reason why they have different “poundage” is because of the concept of basis weight. Even though the paper is the same, they’re measured in two different sized stacks: bond is measured with 17” x 22” sheets weighing 20 lbs., and text is measured with 25” x 38” sheets weighing 50 lbs.
If you go to your local office supply store, their standard office copy paper will be named “20 lb. bond”.
When you order printing or order paper from a larger paper distributor (places buying/selling large volumes of paper), you will see office copy paper called both: “20 lb. bond” and “50 lb. uncoated text”.
At Printivity, our “office copy paper” of choice is: 50 lb. uncoated text, and it also weighs approximately 10.0 lbs per 1000 sheets. 50 lb. uncoated too thin for you? We have thicker options!
What other kinds of office copy paper weights are there?
Customers who want other varieties of office copy paper can go for thicker types of office copy paper. This results in a more substantial feel, and more opaque (images on a thin sheet like “20 lb. bond” can be seen through the back):
- 24 lb. bond (also called “60 lb. uncoated text”)
- 28 lb. bond (also called “70 lb. uncoated text”)
Take your large office printing projects to Printivity!
Some print projects are too large or too color critical to print at the office. For those projects, order online at Printivity! We offer printing on standard paper weights at a fast turnaround at competitive pricing. When you have a project that requires a more professional looking paper, Printivity offers paper like 80 lb Text Gloss or Matte.
It’s okay if you are still unsure which paper type is best for you, because Printivity offers complimentary paper samples. Email our customer service department to service@Printivity.com to request a sample or ask any of your print questions.
