Complete Guide to Paper Types in Kenya
12 Aug 2026 · Store Owner
Understanding Paper Types
Choosing the right paper decides how professional the finished job looks, and it is usually a bigger factor than the printer itself.
Photocopy Paper (70-80gsm)
The workhorse of Kenyan offices, sold in reams of 500 sheets. Typek, Rotatrim and Double A are the common brands. 80gsm jams less and shows less show-through on double-sided work.
Art Paper (115-350gsm)
Coated paper in gloss, matte and silk. The coating keeps ink on the surface, so photographs reproduce vividly. Used for flyers, brochures and magazines.
Ivory Board and Art Card (200-400gsm)
Ivory board is coated on one side only, leaving an uncoated reverse that glues well — the reason packaging converters prefer it. Art card is coated both sides for work printed front and back.
Woodfree Offset (70-100gsm)
Uncoated, lignin-free and therefore archival. The off-white variety is easier on the eyes for long reading, which is why textbooks and exam booklets use it.
Brown Kraft (60-150gsm)
Unbleached kraft keeps its long fibres, giving it much higher tear strength than white paper of the same weight. The default for parcels and packaging.
Read next
- Ivory Board vs Art Card: Which Should You Use?
They look similar on the shelf and cost about the same, but they are built differently and are not interchangeable.
- How to Choose the Right GSM for Your Project
GSM is the single most important paper specification. This guide matches weights to jobs.
