Customers often focus on printers and toner while ignoring paper quality. This is a mistake. Paper is responsible for more printer problems than most people realize, and Kenyan conditions make paper selection even more important.

How Paper Weight Works

Paper weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). Higher GSM means thicker, heavier paper.

70-80 GSM: Standard office paper. Good for everyday printing and copying.

90-100 GSM: Premium office paper. Better for important documents, double-sided printing.

120-160 GSM: Card stock range. Certificates, covers, quality presentations.

200+ GSM: Heavy card. Business cards, thick invitations.

Your printer has limits. Check specifications for maximum paper weight. Forcing heavy paper through a printer designed for standard weights damages feed mechanisms.

Understanding Paper Quality

Beyond weight, paper quality varies significantly:

Brightness: Measured on a scale where higher means whiter. Brighter paper makes text and colours pop but costs more.

Smoothness: Smoother paper produces sharper prints but may feed less reliably. Rougher paper grips rollers better but may look less crisp.

Acid-free: Paper that won't yellow over time. Important for documents meant to last years.

Recycled content: Environmentally friendly but sometimes dustier, which affects printer components.

Kenya's Humidity Challenge

This is where Kenyan conditions demand extra attention. Paper absorbs moisture from the air. Humid conditions cause:

Curl: Paper edges curl up or down, causing jams and poor stacking.

Sticking: Sheets stick together, feeding multiple pages at once.

Poor toner adhesion: Moisture in paper prevents toner from fusing properly, creating smudging.

Expanded size: Damp paper expands slightly, potentially causing misalignment.

Protecting Paper from Humidity

Keep paper wrapped: Don't open reams until needed. The packaging is a moisture barrier.

Store properly: Flat, elevated off the floor, in a dry area. Not in storage rooms with poor ventilation.

Don't overload trays: Load only what you'll use in a few days. Paper sitting in open trays absorbs moisture.

Fan before loading: Separate sheets and release any stuck edges before putting paper in the tray.

Consider sealed storage: In particularly humid areas, store paper in airtight containers with silica gel packets.

Matching Paper to Purpose

Internal documents: Standard 70-80 GSM is perfectly adequate. Save money here.

Client-facing documents: Consider 90 GSM for a more professional feel without significantly increasing costs.

Certificates and formal documents: 120 GSM or higher makes these feel substantial and valuable.

Photo printing: Use paper specifically designed for photo printing. Regular paper produces poor photo results regardless of printer quality.

Double-sided printing: Use at least 90 GSM to prevent show-through where printing on one side is visible from the other.

Cheap Paper False Economy

Very cheap paper causes expensive problems:

  • High paper dust accelerates component wear
  • Inconsistent thickness causes feed issues
  • Poor cut quality creates ragged edges that jam
  • Low opacity means show-through on double-sided prints

The savings from bottom-tier paper vanish when you factor in jams, reprints, and accelerated maintenance.

Our Recommendation

Buy mid-range paper from established brands. The quality difference from budget paper is significant, while premium paper often offers diminishing returns for standard office work.

At ilexDigital, we help businesses optimize their entire printing operation – including consumables advice. Contact us for recommendations on paper and supplies that work well with your specific equipment.