How to Choose the Right Paper on Papyrosonline.gr: A4, GSM, Finish, and Best Uses

Paper looks simple until you’re faced with dozens of options that seem almost identical. On Papyrosonline.gr, you’ll typically find a wide range of paper sizes, weights (GSM), finishes, and specialty types. Choosing correctly saves money, improves print quality, and prevents frustrating issues like paper jams, smudging, or documents that look “cheap” when you need them to look professional.

Start with size: A4, A3, and beyond

For most households, students, and offices, A4 is the default for everyday printing. It fits common printers, folders, and filing systems. A3 is larger and is often used for posters, diagrams, plans, or school projects that need extra space. If you’re printing at home, verify that your printer supports A3 before purchasing. Even if you can buy A3 paper, not every printer tray or feed path can handle it.

When shopping, treat size as a non-negotiable filter. Many “great deals” are simply the wrong format for your printer or binders.

GSM explained: why weight matters

GSM means grams per square meter, and it’s the most useful single number on a paper listing. It tells you how thick and sturdy a sheet feels. The right GSM depends on what you’re printing and how you’ll handle the pages afterward.

70–80 GSM: Standard multipurpose paper for drafts, homework, internal documents, and high-volume printing.
90–100 GSM: A noticeable upgrade for letters, client documents, and sharper-looking reports. Ink tends to look crisper, and pages feel less flimsy.
120–160 GSM: Heavier paper for flyers, certificates, covers, and premium handouts. Some home printers handle this well; others may struggle, so check printer specs.
200+ GSM: Cardstock territory, used for invitations, presentation covers, and craft projects. Requires compatible printers or manual feed options.

If you’ve ever printed something double-sided and the text shows through, that’s a sign you may need a higher GSM (or a paper with better opacity). For duplex printing, 90 GSM is often a safer choice than 80 GSM, especially with heavy ink coverage.

Brightness, whiteness, and how “clean” the page looks

Many listings include brightness or whiteness indicators. Higher brightness generally makes text look more contrasty and colors appear more vivid. For everyday documents, standard brightness is fine. For presentations, proposals, portfolios, and anything client-facing, a brighter, smoother sheet can create a more premium impression with minimal extra cost.

If you’re buying for a classroom or home printer where kids print frequently, prioritize reliability and value. If you’re producing final documents for work, prioritize appearance and consistency across pages.

For more in-depth guides and related topics, be sure to check out our homepage where we cover a wide range of subjects.

Finish: matte, glossy, and coated options

Finish describes how the surface is treated, and it changes how ink sits on the paper.

Matte/uncoated: Most multipurpose printer paper is uncoated. It’s great for handwriting, stamping, and everyday printing. Ink absorbs more, which can slightly soften photos but works well for text.
Coated/glossy: Best for photos and graphics-heavy prints. Colors pop, and images look sharper. You’ll typically need to select the correct paper type in printer settings to avoid smearing.
Satin/semi-gloss: A middle ground that keeps good color while reducing glare. Often chosen for photo prints that will be handled or displayed under lights.

If your goal is photos, don’t rely on standard office paper. Choose photo paper designed for your printer type (inkjet vs laser). Using the wrong photo paper can lead to poor drying, smudges, or dull results.

Inkjet vs laser: compatibility prevents problems

One of the most important (and overlooked) details is whether the paper is designed for inkjet printers, laser printers, or both. Laser printers use heat to fuse toner; some specialty papers can warp or discolor if they’re not laser-safe. Inkjet printers spray liquid ink; if the coating isn’t designed for inkjet, the ink may pool or smear.

When browsing Papyrosonline.gr, use compatibility notes as a final confirmation before checkout. If the listing doesn’t clearly specify, choose a paper labeled multipurpose for standard documents, or a paper explicitly marked for your printer type for photos and labels.

Specialty papers and when they’re worth it

Beyond standard copier paper, you’ll find options like colored paper, recycled paper, label sheets, photo paper, cardstock, and textured papers. Specialty papers are worth it when the paper itself supports the purpose of the document. Examples:

Recycled paper: Great for high-volume printing with an eco focus; check brightness and GSM for your needs.
Colored paper: Helpful for organization (different colors per project/class) and eye-catching notices.
Label sheets: Essential for shipping labels, filing, and product labeling—verify label dimensions and templates.
Textured paper: Adds a premium feel for invitations and certificates, but may not suit all printers.

A quick decision shortcut

If you want a simple rule: choose A4 80 GSM multipurpose for everyday; upgrade to 90–100 GSM for anything you’ll hand to someone else; use coated photo paper for photos; and confirm compatibility for labels and specialty sheets.

Shopping on Papyrosonline.gr becomes much easier once you treat paper as a set of clear specs rather than a generic commodity. With size, GSM, finish, and printer type aligned, you’ll get better results, fewer jams, and documents that match the impression you want to make.