It’s exciting to download a set of printables, or posters, or even coloring pages for adults. There is so much you can do with them!
But then you think, wait a minute, how am I going to print these materials so that they look great and perform as intended?
That’s a legitimate question, my friend. Not to worry. I’ve gathered the best paper for planner printables, the best paper for printing posters, and the best paper for printing coloring pages.
It’s all right here for you, simple and easy. No fluff, just practical and easily obtainable (usually through Amazon) printing material.
By the way, if you click on a link and then make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Best Paper for Planner Printables
When you print pages of a planner, a calendar, a checklist, a journal, or any other type of tracking document, clarity and strength of paper is essential. Paper that is too thick can tear, the ink can bleed through, and the result just isn’t pleasing to look at or to use.
Thin paper can also be less than spectacular for printing colors, and many times your planner page will have at least a little bit of color to it.
A weight up to 32 lb is best for planner printables, and one that is highly rated is from HP. I like the fact that the paper material is sourced from renewable forest resources in the U.S. In fact, it is certified sustainable.
The paper is acid-free to prevent yellowing over time, and it has a super smooth surface for full color printing.
Here are some additional details about HP Premium 32:
- Made in USA: HP Papers is sourced from renewable forest resources and has achieved production with 0% deforestation in North America.
- Heavyweight premium printing: HP Premium32 is a heavyweight (32 pounds), brighter (100 bright) and whiter (163 whiteness) paper with a super-smooth surface for impressive full-color premium printing.
- Certified sustainable: HP Premium32 presentation paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and contributes toward satisfying credit MR1 under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
- ColorLok technology printing paper: ColorLok technology provides more vivid colors, bolder blacks and faster drying.
- Acid free paper: HP Premium32 presentation paper prevents yellowing over time to ensure a long-lasting appearance for added archival quality.
It is also quite workable to use 28 lb paper. It’s a little thinner than the 32 lb but still will give you enough strength for your printables. Here are a few of the current best sellers:
Best Paper for Printing Posters
When it comes to printing posters and other types of wall art, the top considerations are color quality and how long the paper will last. For example, if you plan to frame and hang your wall art, you want to feel good about the fact that the color won’t fade away if exposed to sunlight.
So what do you want to look for? Ideally, you’ll want to use 100% cotton fiber paper that is acid-free. And, decide whether you want your framed poster to have a shiny finish or a matte finish.
Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper meets all of the preferences for this type of printing. You’ll be getting museum quality, acid free paper with a bright white surface.
- Museum quality, acid-free base to preserve fine art and photos.
- 100% cotton rag for archivability.
- Bright white surface for excellent color reproduction.
- Enhanced 1440 dpi printing for high-quality output.
Here are some additional options to consider for your wall art and printable posters:
Best Paper for Printing Coloring Pages
For many coloring page enthusiasts, a simple colored pencil, crayon, or chalk pencil is their preferred medium. With that in mind, a light cardstock such as 65 lb will do the job. It should work in just about any type of printer as well.
A highly rated option from Amazon is Astrobrights/Neenah Bright White Cardstock. It has a smooth finish, is acid and lingin free, and is 65 lb.
Here are some additional details:
- Smooth finish for superior printing results
- 65 pound cardstock
- Acid and lingin free for great quality that doesn't deteriorate
- 75 Sheets
And, here are some additional options in best-selling 65 lb cardstock for coloring pages:
Do you need a starting supply of colored pencils for your adult coloring pages? You’ll find quite a variety of price points, so choose what fits your budget.
Here are a few of the current best sellers:
Tips for Printing Your Favorite Printables
A few quick tips and reminders when preparing to print your coloring pages, wall art posters, and printables:
- To save the higher-cost paper, first print your document on a sheet of regular copy paper to make sure it looks right. Make any needed adjustments before you use the more expensive paper.
- One of the most common errors when printing is using the incorrect orientation. Use portrait when you have a printable that is vertical, and use landscape when your printable is horizontal.
- Be aware of the type of printer you are using – it is ink jet or laser? Most of the materials presented on this page indicate that they are suitable for ink jet printers.
Do You Need a Printer?
It is possible to buy a printer without spending hundreds of dollars. If you’re going to be printing documents like those discussed here, maybe a small investment into an ink jet or laser printer makes sense.
Here are current best selling ink jet printers:
![Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer [Print,Copy,Scan], Black, Works with Alexa](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418Zqbcdw0L._SL160_.jpg)
If a laser printer is what you prefer, here are some of the current best sellers:
Final Words
The best paper for planner printables, adult coloring pages, and posters and wall art can seem confusing at first glance. And, of course, there are always many more options available to you than are presented here. But, keeping things simple is always a good place to start.
I hope you’ve found the answer to your question about which type of paper to use for your particular printable!
