Complete Guide to Paper Types in Kenya

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.