What GSM paper is best for a resume?

100 GSM is the ideal weight — heavy enough to feel professional and deliberate, not so thick it feels like a card. Standard 80 GSM office paper is acceptable but noticeably less impressive. Avoid anything below 80 GSM.

Should a resume be printed on glossy or matte paper?

Uncoated or smooth bond paper is best. Glossy paper fingerprints easily, can reflect light making text hard to read, and prevents interviewers from writing notes on it. Matte-coated is acceptable for design roles where colour images are included.

Should I print my resume single-sided or double-sided?

Single-sided is almost always the professional choice. Even for a two-page resume, print each page single-sided on separate sheets. A double-sided resume can be missed — interviewers may not realise there is content on the back.

Can I order resume prints through Printster?

Yes. Upload your resume PDF to printster.in and select your preferred paper weight. Printster accepts PDF, DOCX, and other formats. Specify colour or B&W and single-sided printing. This is a practical option if you need a set of crisp, high-quality copies.

Is colour printing necessary for a resume?

For most professional roles, a well-formatted B&W resume on quality paper is perfectly appropriate. Colour printing is useful if your resume includes colour charts, a professional photo, or design elements — common in creative and design-sector applications.

How long does it take to receive printed resumes from Printster?

Delhi NCR: 4–7 working days. Other cities in India: 7–10 working days. For an upcoming interview, order at least 10 working days in advance. If you need resumes urgently, consider using a local print shop that offers same-day service.

Best Paper for a Resume

The best paper for a resume is 100 GSM white or off-white bond paper with a smooth (uncoated) finish. This weight feels noticeably heavier than standard 80 GSM office paper, signals care and professionalism, and works well for laser or inkjet printing. Avoid glossy-coated paper — it looks good on screen but feels flimsy and smears with fingerprints.

Your resume is often the first physical impression you make on a recruiter or interviewer. The paper you choose communicates attention to detail before anyone reads a single word. An ultra-thin printout on 70 GSM copy paper looks and feels cheap; a crisp, weighty sheet on 100 GSM bond paper feels deliberate and professional. The good news is that the difference in paper cost is small, while the difference in impression can be significant. This guide explains exactly which paper weight and finish to use, what to avoid, and how to order high-quality resume printouts online if you do not have access to a good printer at home.

Paper Weight: Why 100 GSM is the Sweet Spot

GSM (grams per square metre) is the standard measure of paper weight. Higher GSM means a thicker, heavier sheet.

Weight	Feel	Verdict for resume
70 GSM	Thin, flimsy	Avoid — signals low effort
80 GSM	Standard office paper	Acceptable but unremarkable
90 GSM	Noticeably heavier	Good choice
100 GSM	Substantial, professional	Ideal
120 GSM+	Card-like, stiff	Overkill for most roles; use for design portfolios

100 GSM is the widely accepted standard for professional documents in India. It is thick enough to feel premium without being card-stiff. A recruiter handling 50 CVs will notice the one on 100 GSM paper.

Paper Finish: Uncoated, Matte, or Glossy?

Uncoated / smooth bond is the right choice for a resume. Uncoated paper:

Absorbs ink evenly, making text sharp and easy to read
Accepts handwritten annotations (interviewers sometimes mark up CVs)
Feels natural and classic — associated with formal documents
Does not attract fingerprints the way glossy paper does

Matte-coated paper is acceptable for a design or creative role where the resume includes colour graphics. The coating improves colour reproduction but prevents easy writing on the surface.

Glossy paper is a poor choice for text documents. It smears, fingerprints easily, and the sheen can make text harder to read under fluorescent lighting — common in interview rooms. Reserve glossy for photo prints.

Colour: White or Off-White?

Bright white paper makes text high-contrast and legible. Off-white (cream or ivory) looks warm and traditional — historically associated with formal correspondence. Either is appropriate. Avoid coloured paper unless your industry is explicitly creative (advertising, design, arts).

Printing Your Resume: Laser vs. Inkjet

Laser printing produces sharper, smear-resistant text and is preferable for text-only CVs. Inkjet printing is fine but slightly more susceptible to smearing if the paper gets damp. Either technology on 100 GSM paper produces a good result.

If you do not have access to a quality printer, Printster lets you upload your resume as a PDF and prints it on quality paper. Specify 100 GSM paper (check available options on the site), B&W or colour as appropriate, and single-sided printing. For a resume, single-sided is almost always the right choice — employers expect to turn the page, not read the back.

How Many Copies Do You Need?

Print at least 5–10 copies for a job fair or a round of applications. Having spares means you can hand over a crisp copy in every interview rather than explaining why you only have a scanned version on your phone.

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Frequently asked questions

What GSM paper is best for a resume?: 100 GSM is the ideal weight — heavy enough to feel professional and deliberate, not so thick it feels like a card. Standard 80 GSM office paper is acceptable but noticeably less impressive. Avoid anything below 80 GSM.
Should a resume be printed on glossy or matte paper?: Uncoated or smooth bond paper is best. Glossy paper fingerprints easily, can reflect light making text hard to read, and prevents interviewers from writing notes on it. Matte-coated is acceptable for design roles where colour images are included.
Should I print my resume single-sided or double-sided?: Single-sided is almost always the professional choice. Even for a two-page resume, print each page single-sided on separate sheets. A double-sided resume can be missed — interviewers may not realise there is content on the back.
Can I order resume prints through Printster?: Yes. Upload your resume PDF to printster.in and select your preferred paper weight. Printster accepts PDF, DOCX, and other formats. Specify colour or B&W and single-sided printing. This is a practical option if you need a set of crisp, high-quality copies.
Is colour printing necessary for a resume?: For most professional roles, a well-formatted B&W resume on quality paper is perfectly appropriate. Colour printing is useful if your resume includes colour charts, a professional photo, or design elements — common in creative and design-sector applications.
How long does it take to receive printed resumes from Printster?: Delhi NCR: 4–7 working days. Other cities in India: 7–10 working days. For an upcoming interview, order at least 10 working days in advance. If you need resumes urgently, consider using a local print shop that offers same-day service.