Paper weights explained: 20 lb, 24 lb, and when to spend more

Paper is one of those purchases where the specs look precise and mean almost nothing to a normal buyer. Here is what actually matters when you are choosing between reams.

The pound rating comes from the weight of a large parent sheet before it's cut down, so it's a proxy for heft rather than a literal thickness. In practice: 20 lb is your everyday copier paper, fine for internal documents and high-volume printing. 24 lb feels more substantial and holds up better for anything a client will touch — proposals, letters, cover pages.

Brightness is measured on a 0–100 scale, and the difference between 92 and 98 is the difference between fine and crisp. Higher brightness makes text sharper and color graphics pop. For everyday printing, 92 is plenty. For anything with charts or photos, the jump to 98 is worth it.

Modern recycled stock runs cleanly through laser and inkjet printers and is nearly indistinguishable from virgin paper for internal use. If sustainability reporting matters to your organization, it's an easy swap on the high-volume, low-stakes printing where nobody's inspecting the sheet.