Printer paper looks simple until the copier jams, the ink bleeds or the box runs out on exam week. The everyday choice in South Africa is A4 80 gsm copy paper in reams of 500 sheets, usually five reams to a box, but there is also A3, coloured paper, thicker card, photo paper, sticker and label sheets and continuous paper for older dot matrix printers. Tell us what you print and how many reams or boxes you need, and local paper suppliers will send you a free, no-obligation quote.
Types of printing paper
- A4 80 gsm copy paper: the office standard for laser printers, copiers and most inkjets.
- A3 paper: for plans, spreadsheets and posters on A3 copiers.
- Coloured paper: pastel and bright shades for notices, church bulletins and forms in different colours.
- Card and board: heavier sheets for certificates, covers and place cards; check your printer's maximum weight.
- Photo paper: gloss or matt coated paper for inkjet photos.
- Sticker printer paper: self-adhesive sheets, plain or pre-cut, for home and office printers.
- Continuous paper: fan-fold sheets for dot matrix printers.
How to choose A4 printer paper
For everyday printing, 80 gsm is the safe default. Ask for the brightness (whiter paper makes text and colour look crisper) and whether it is made for laser, inkjet or both. For double sided reports or anything going into a company profile, a heavier paper reduces show-through. Inkjet photos need coated photo paper, not copy paper. For card and stickers, check the printer's maximum gsm and use the manual feed tray. If you need a lot of the same item printed, a print shop may be cheaper than your office printer: see printing services or sticker printing.
Storage, jams and common mistakes
Paper takes in damp, especially at the coast, and damp paper curls and jams. Keep reams wrapped and flat until you use them, store boxes off a concrete floor and away from an outside wall, and do not leave half a ream open in the tray over a long weekend. Fan the stack before loading it. Common mistakes: putting inkjet photo paper in a laser printer (the coating can melt), overfilling the tray, and mixing paper weights in one tray. If jams continue on good, dry paper, the rollers may be worn; see printer repairs.
A4 printer paper price and what to ask
The price per ream depends on the grade and brightness, whether you buy single reams or full boxes, the quantity and delivery. Speciality paper, card and photo paper are priced per pack. Ask the supplier:
- What gsm and brightness is it, and is it suited to laser and inkjet?
- Is the price per ream or per box of five, and does it include VAT and delivery?
- Is there a better price on ten boxes or a monthly order?
- Can you deliver to the school or office on a set day?
What to include in your request
- Size: A4, A3 or another size
- The gsm and white or coloured
- How many reams or boxes
- Laser, inkjet or copier use
- Delivery address and preferred day
Printer Paper for different clients
- Families and individuals: a ream or two of A4 for homework, CVs, school projects and printing tickets
- Small businesses and start-ups: a box of copy paper a month for quotes, invoices and flyers on the office printer
- Companies and offices: boxes of A4 and A3 delivered to head office and site offices on a monthly order
- Shops, restaurants and salons: copy paper and coloured sheets for price lists, notices and specials at the till
- Events, conferences and clubs: coloured paper and card for programmes, place cards and registration lists
- Schools, churches and NGOs: boxes of A4 for exam papers, worksheets and newsletters ahead of each term
- Government and municipalities: copy paper delivered against an RFQ to municipal and department offices
- Designers, agencies and resellers: A4 and A3 copy paper for a print shop's copiers and quick print counter
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of A4 printer paper?
How many sheets are in a ream of paper?
Which paper weight should I use in my printer?
Who supplies printer paper through this site?
Printer Paper by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg