Paper for Inkjet & InkTank Printers – Sizes, Quality, Brands, Thickness, and Grammage (Technical Guide)
📅 14 Jan 2026
📂 General
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Choosing the correct paper for Inkjet and InkTank printers is essential for achieving accurate colors, sharp text, proper ink absorption, and long printhead life.
Unlike laser printers, inkjet devices rely on liquid ink absorption into paper fibers or coatings, making paper type, coating, thickness, and grammage critical technical factors.
This Knowledge Base article provides a comprehensive, IT-grade reference covering:
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Inkjet & InkTank paper types
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Supported paper sizes
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Paper quality and coating
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Thickness and GSM (grammage)
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Popular paper brands available in India
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Common problems and best practices
This document is suitable for IT teams, schools, print labs, offices, AMC providers, and procurement teams.
Technical Explanation: How Inkjet & InkTank Paper Works
Inkjet printers spray microscopic ink droplets (dye or pigment) onto paper using thermal or piezoelectric printheads.
Paper must:
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Absorb ink at the correct speed
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Prevent ink spread (dot gain)
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Support color layering
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Dry quickly without smudging
InkTank printers use the same paper principles as inkjet printers but operate at higher duty cycles, making paper quality even more important to avoid:
Paper Sizes Supported by Inkjet & InkTank Printers
Standard Paper Sizes
| Size Name | Dimensions (mm) | Common Usage |
|---|
| A4 | 210 × 297 | Office, school, home |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | Posters, drawings (A3 models only) |
| Letter | 216 × 279 | International documents |
| Legal | 216 × 356 | Contracts |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | Flyers |
| 4×6 inch | 102 × 152 | Photos |
| 5×7 inch | 127 × 178 | Photo prints |
✔ Most InkTank printers support A4, Letter, 4×6 photo paper
Paper Grammage (GSM) for Inkjet Printing
| GSM Range | Paper Category | Suitability |
|---|
| 70–75 GSM | Economy plain paper | ⚠ Light text only |
| 80 GSM | Standard plain paper | ✅ Daily printing |
| 90–100 GSM | Premium plain paper | ✅ Better text & graphics |
| 120–150 GSM | Presentation paper | ✅ Color documents |
| 180–200 GSM | Photo paper (thin) | ✅ Inkjet photo use |
| 220–300 GSM | Photo / card stock | ⚠ Supported models only |
Paper Thickness (Microns)
| Thickness (µm) | Typical GSM | Use Case |
|---|
| 95–100 µm | 75 GSM | Economy prints |
| 105–110 µm | 80 GSM | Office standard |
| 115–120 µm | 90 GSM | Premium documents |
| 140–160 µm | 120–150 GSM | Presentations |
| 200–300 µm | 200–300 GSM | Photo prints |
Types of Paper for Inkjet & InkTank Printers
1️⃣ Plain Paper (Uncoated)
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Lowest cost
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Fast absorption
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Limited color vibrancy
✅ Best for text, drafts, invoices
2️⃣ Inkjet Photo Paper (Coated)
✔ Available in Glossy / Semi-Gloss / Matte
3️⃣ Inkjet Presentation Paper
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Thicker than plain paper
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Slight coating
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Reduced bleed
✅ Charts, brochures, certificates
4️⃣ Matte Inkjet Paper
5️⃣ Specialty Inkjet Media
⚠ Must be explicitly marked Inkjet Compatible
Paper Types NOT Recommended for Inkjet Printers
❌ Laser-only paper
❌ Thermal paper
❌ Laminated sheets
❌ Carbon paper
❌ Inkjet-incompatible glossy media
These can cause ink pooling, smearing, or head damage.
Popular Inkjet & InkTank Paper Brands in India
| Brand | Paper Type | Notes |
|---|
| HP Paper | Plain / Photo | Optimized for HP ink |
| JK Paper | Plain / Premium | Widely available |
| ITC Paperkraft | Premium office | Smooth surface |
| TNPL | Economy / office | Bulk usage |
| Canon Photo Paper | Glossy / Matte | High photo quality |
| Epson Paper | Inkjet photo | Pigment & dye ink |
Use Cases
Step-by-Step: Selecting Correct Paper for Inkjet / InkTank Printers
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Identify document type (text / photo / color)
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Check printer supported GSM in manual
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Choose plain 80 GSM for daily use
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Choose inkjet photo paper for images
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Set correct paper type in printer driver
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Load paper correctly (print side facing ink)
Example: Driver Paper Setting (Windows)
Printer Properties → Preferences → Paper Type:
- Plain Paper
- Inkjet Photo Paper
- Matte Inkjet Paper
Paper Size: A4
Incorrect driver settings often cause poor output.
Common Issues & Fixes
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|
| Ink bleeding | Low-quality paper | Use inkjet paper |
| Smudging | Slow drying | Select correct paper type |
| Wavy paper | Thin GSM | Use ≥80 GSM |
| Dull colors | Plain paper | Use photo/presentation paper |
| Paper curl | High ink load | Reduce ink density |
Security Considerations
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Sensitive prints may smudge if handled early
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Secure disposal of misprints
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Avoid reused paper for official documents
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Prevent ink spills in shared spaces
Best Practices
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Standardize one paper type per printer
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Store paper sealed and flat
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Avoid mixing paper types in tray
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Run nozzle cleaning periodically
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Use original ink for InkTank systems
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Keep humidity controlled (40–60%)
Conclusion
Paper selection is a core performance factor for Inkjet and InkTank printers.
Using correct size, GSM, coating, and inkjet-rated paper ensures:
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Better print quality
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Faster drying
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Longer printhead life
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Reduced maintenance cost
For most environments, A4 – 80 GSM plain paper for text and 180–230 GSM inkjet photo paper for images deliver optimal results.
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