The most common type of stationery paper on the market today is stationery paper made from wood pulp. While it is considered quality paper according to the Small Business Bible website, most businesses will not use it because it is too thin to use for most printouts. It works well as social stationery paper or when used for handwritten notes.
Economy paper is another type of commonly used stationary paper. It can be used with all types of printers and copies, and the print shows up clearly. While not recommended for important documents and printing images, according to the Small Business Bible website, it is effective paper for interoffice correspondence and memos.
Copy paper provides slightly better printing quality than economy paper and works well for photocopying. While it should not be used for printing images with inkjet or laser printers, it is suitable for general copying and printing.
Inkjet paper is the kind of paper used for inkjet printers. It provides quality printing results for images and letters and is more expensive than standard, economy and copy paper. It works well for general office printing, particularly if using an inkjet color printer.
Laser paper provides quality laser printouts and is more expensive than all of the previously mentioned types of paper. It is recommended for formal letter printing, especially if using a colored laser printer, according to the Small Business Bible.
All purpose paper is specifically made to produce quality printing results for all types of printers. It is some of the more expensive paper used for office stationery. It gives documents and images a more professional look and can be utilized for most office needs.
Bristol paper is made by layering papers to create thick paper used for envelopes, invitations and and stock announcements. It is not suitable as stationery paper.
Bond paper, also called laid or woven paper, has a slight pattern on it and is used for important business correspondence due to its professional look. It is made from cotton or chemical wood pulp or both. This durable paper is also used for printing business forms and other significant documents.
100 percent cotton paper is made from old cotton rags and is sometimes referred to as rag paper. A strong, quality paper, it is mainly used for wedding invitations, birth announcements and bat mitzvahs. It is expensive and not suitable for office use.