Is copier paper the same as bond paper?

Standard office copier paper is typically 80 GSM bond paper — so yes, essentially the same. The term 'copier paper' refers to the application (feeds through copiers and laser printers), while 'bond' refers to the paper type. Premium stationery bond paper (90–100 GSM) is slightly thicker and crisper than regular copier paper.

Why does text printed on art paper look sharper than on bond?

Art paper's clay coating prevents ink from spreading (bleeding) into the paper fibres. The ink stays on the surface in a precise dot, resulting in sharper edges. On uncoated paper, ink spreads slightly, which reduces edge sharpness — though this is rarely noticeable for black text at body sizes.

Can I run art paper through my office laser printer?

Generally not recommended without checking your printer's specification. Many office laser printers cannot fuse toner properly onto heavily coated art paper, resulting in smearing or the toner flaking off. Bond and maplitho are designed to work with both laser and inkjet printers.

Why is maplitho preferred for textbooks and exam papers over bond?

Maplitho's off-white, slightly warm tone is easier on the eyes for extended reading — less glare than the brighter white of bond paper. It also has slightly better opacity at lower GSM (70 GSM maplitho shows less show-through than 70 GSM bond), which is important for double-sided text printing.

What is the difference between matte art paper and maplitho?

Both have a non-glossy surface, but matte art paper is still coated — it has a clay layer that provides smooth colour reproduction, just without a shiny finish. Maplitho is fully uncoated, which means it absorbs ink rather than holding it on the surface. Maplitho is for text-heavy documents; matte art paper is for high-quality brochures and books with photos.

Which paper does Printster use for standard document printing?

Printster uses 80 GSM bond/copier paper for standard B&W and colour document printing. For colour printouts where image quality matters, 90–100 GSM art paper is typically used. The exact paper specification and available upgrades are shown when you configure your order on the website.

Paper Types: Bond, Art, Maplitho

Bond paper is an uncoated, slightly textured paper used for office documents, letterheads, and forms — it accepts pen and printer ink well. Art paper has a smooth clay-coated surface that gives vivid colour reproduction, used for brochures, books, and magazine-style printing. Maplitho is an uncoated, off-white paper used for book text pages, question papers, and documents where a warmer tone and good readability are preferred over colour vibrancy.

Walk into any print shop in India and you will encounter a wall of paper specifications — bond, art, maplitho, newsprint, cartridge, kraft. For most printing jobs, only three paper types matter for documents and marketing materials: bond, art paper, and maplitho. Understanding the difference helps you make better decisions for your project and avoid paying for the wrong paper. The distinction comes down to surface coating. Coated papers (art paper) have a thin layer of mineral pigment applied to the surface, making them smoother and more reflective. Uncoated papers (bond, maplitho) have a natural, porous surface that feels warmer, takes pen ink well, and is gentler on the eyes for extended reading. This guide explains each type, where it is used, and how to choose between them for different printing scenarios.

Bond Paper

Bond paper is an uncoated office paper with a slightly crisp feel. The name 'bond' comes from its historical use for government bonds and legal documents — it was required to be durable and resistant to tearing.

Key characteristics:

Uncoated, slightly textured surface
Available in 70 GSM, 75 GSM, 80 GSM, 90 GSM, and 100 GSM
Accepts both pen ink and printer toner/inkjet ink well
White or bright white in appearance

Best for: Office documents, letterheads, printed forms, reports, resumes, and legal correspondence. 80 GSM bond is the standard office copier paper. 90–100 GSM bond is used for premium letterheads.

Art Paper

Art paper (also called coated paper or glossy/matte art paper) has a clay or calcium carbonate coating applied to its surface. This creates a smooth, uniform surface that locks ink on top rather than letting it absorb into the fibres.

Key characteristics:

Smooth, coated surface — glossy or matte finish
Available in 90 GSM (thin, for magazine pages), 130 GSM, 150 GSM, 170 GSM (for brochures, leaflets), 200–350 GSM (for cards and covers)
Excellent colour reproduction — vivid, sharp images
Does not accept pen ink well; toner can smear if run through some office laser printers

Best for: Brochures, product catalogues, magazine-style reports, visiting cards, certificates, book covers, and any application where photo or colour quality matters. The 'colour printout' most print shops in India use is typically 90–100 GSM glossy art paper.

Maplitho Paper

Maplitho (machine-made white printing paper) is an uncoated paper designed for book and document printing. It has a softer, warmer off-white tone compared to bond paper's brighter white.

Key characteristics:

Uncoated, smooth but not glossy
Off-white or cream tone (sometimes called 'natural white')
Available in 60 GSM, 70 GSM, and 80 GSM for text pages; thicker weights for covers
Lower reflectivity than bond, which reduces eye strain during long reading sessions
Excellent ink absorption — ideal for black text and line work

Best for: Textbook interiors, competitive exam question papers, course material printing, novel and trade book text pages, legal pleadings, and any document where extended reading comfort matters more than vivid colour reproduction. Most coaching centre notes and IGNOU/DU study material is printed on maplitho.

Choosing Between Them

Use Case	Recommended Paper
Office documents, letterheads	Bond (80–100 GSM)
Brochures, posters, visiting cards	Art paper (130–350 GSM)
Textbooks, study notes, question papers	Maplitho (70–80 GSM)
Thesis / dissertation interior	Maplitho or Bond (80 GSM)
Book covers	Art card (250–300 GSM)

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Frequently asked questions

Is copier paper the same as bond paper?: Standard office copier paper is typically 80 GSM bond paper — so yes, essentially the same. The term 'copier paper' refers to the application (feeds through copiers and laser printers), while 'bond' refers to the paper type. Premium stationery bond paper (90–100 GSM) is slightly thicker and crisper than regular copier paper.
Why does text printed on art paper look sharper than on bond?: Art paper's clay coating prevents ink from spreading (bleeding) into the paper fibres. The ink stays on the surface in a precise dot, resulting in sharper edges. On uncoated paper, ink spreads slightly, which reduces edge sharpness — though this is rarely noticeable for black text at body sizes.
Can I run art paper through my office laser printer?: Generally not recommended without checking your printer's specification. Many office laser printers cannot fuse toner properly onto heavily coated art paper, resulting in smearing or the toner flaking off. Bond and maplitho are designed to work with both laser and inkjet printers.
Why is maplitho preferred for textbooks and exam papers over bond?: Maplitho's off-white, slightly warm tone is easier on the eyes for extended reading — less glare than the brighter white of bond paper. It also has slightly better opacity at lower GSM (70 GSM maplitho shows less show-through than 70 GSM bond), which is important for double-sided text printing.
What is the difference between matte art paper and maplitho?: Both have a non-glossy surface, but matte art paper is still coated — it has a clay layer that provides smooth colour reproduction, just without a shiny finish. Maplitho is fully uncoated, which means it absorbs ink rather than holding it on the surface. Maplitho is for text-heavy documents; matte art paper is for high-quality brochures and books with photos.
Which paper does Printster use for standard document printing?: Printster uses 80 GSM bond/copier paper for standard B&W and colour document printing. For colour printouts where image quality matters, 90–100 GSM art paper is typically used. The exact paper specification and available upgrades are shown when you configure your order on the website.