As teachers nationwide continue to fight for higher pay, many are still required to stock their classroom supplies for the school year.
However, school supplies can be costly for teachers, especially those just starting out. In 2022, the average salary for a public-school teacher in the United States was $66,000. This number is only an average. In some states, public-school teachers make as little as $30,000 a year. When you consider the rate of inflation, teacher salaries have decreased by three percent in recent years despite raises and annual pay increases.
Unfortunately, many schools also lack the funds to offer supply stipends to teachers.
With all that in mind, our printing specialists at STPT understand how important it is for teachers and schools to find budget-friendly school supplies. We have worked closely with several school systems, both private and public, and we want to use our expertise to help teachers, administrators, parents, and students make informed purchasing decisions.
With July already here and the new school year fast approaching, this blog is designed to provide teachers with a comprehensive list of the top 5 best printer paper options on the market. We've prioritized high-quality yet affordable paper to meet the specific needs of teachers. Our paper picks are curated for cost-effectiveness in the classroom.
Keep in mind that these recommendations are for teachers who may decide to purchase paper outside of what their school district provides.
Note: Paper is a highly used commodity, so price fluctuation is common. You should always shop around for the best price.
Top 5 Best Printer Paper Options for Teachers (2024)
1. Budget Friendly: Epson Bright White Pro Paper
The Epson Bright Pro White Paper is a standard printer paper option; it is a bright white matte paper that is suitable for basic printing needs. This paper has a brightness level of 96, which also makes it a great choice for vibrant, easy-to-read prints.
This paper is affordably priced which makes it ideal for a teacher on a budget. Even as teachers fight all over the U.S. for higher pay, many still have to use their own money to pay for extra classroom supplies. One way to cut costs without sacrificing on necessary teaching supplies, is to choose a standard, budget-friendly paper option.
With a high brightness level, the Bright White Pro Paper supports images and graphics for teachers who like to approach their subjects creatively. This paper is a great recommendation to parents as they prepare to purchase personal school supplies for the upcoming year.
Use Cases: Student handouts, assignment sheets, quizzes
- Price: $13 per 500 sheets at Epson ($0.026 per sheet)
2. Color Paper: Neenah Astrobrights Color Paper
Many teachers prefer to use colored paper for important handouts or creative assignments. Using a variety of colors in the classroom can help keep students and teachers engaged; it is also vital for some grade levels to have color paper available for in-class learning activities.
Over the past few decades, research has shown that multimodal learning strategies are important aspects of student learning, so it is generally a good idea for teachers to have color paper on hand for students.
The Neenah Astrobrights paper is affordable and comes in a variety of types, ream sizes, and color assortments.
You can purchase this brand of paper online and in-person at multiple stores, making it easily accessible for teachers. Astrobrights paper is designed to work with a variety of printers, inks, and toners.
Use Cases: Creative assignments, important handouts, in-class activities
- Price: $16 per 500 sheets at Amazon ($0.032 per sheet)
3. Eco-Friendly: Harmony Office Copy Paper (New Leaf)
According to New Leaf, the Harmony Office Copy Paper is "the only 100% post-consumer recycled copy paper with HP’s patented ColorLock certification.”
This affordable and eco-friendly paper can help teachers save money and promote environmental sustainability in the classroom.
New Leaf also gives you the option to buy publishing products in bulk, making it a good choice for a classroom, school library, or a group of teachers that require a large volume of paper for printing.
Although this option is slightly less cost-effective than the standard Epson Bright White option, this paper is 100% recycled. For teachers who want to set an example of environmental stewardship for their students, Harmony Office Copy Paper is the most eco-friendly, cost-effective choice.
Use Cases: Environmentally conscious printing, bulk purchasing for schools
- Price: $19 per 500 sheets at Amazon ($0.038 per sheet)
4. Photo Paper: Xerox Bold Digital Printing Paper
The Xerox Bold Digital Printing Paper is a great option if you're looking for affordable photo paper. It’s designed to run on inkjet and laser printers and comes in two colors: whitest and brightest white. It also comes in two brightness levels: 98 and 100.
Some weights and sizes feature ColorLok Technology. This means that when you print on an inkjet printer, you’ll get more vivid colors. This technology leads to better quality for laser printers, which is a plus for photo printing in the classroom.
You can purchase these printing papers in reams of 500 sheets or cartons of up to 5,000 sheets. With its versatility and bulk buying options, this paper is excellent for teachers who want to print colorful images and photos at a reasonable price.
Use cases: marketing collateral, invitations, announcements, and brochures.
- Price: $25 per 500 sheets at Amazon ($0.05 per sheet)
5. Multipurpose: Hammermill Fore Multipurpose Paper
As the name states, multipurpose paper is great for everyday printing, especially for documents containing text. The Hammermill Fore Multipurpose Paper is incredibly affordable and versatile, which means you can use it for just about anything, from reports to flyers.
It comes in a variety of sizes and is compatible with laser and inkjet printers.
Just like the Bold Digital Printing Paper, this paper also features ColorLok Technology. Plus, it has good opacity to minimize show-through for double-sided printing. Overall, this is a high-quality paper at a budget-friendly price.
Use Cases: Handouts, assignments, creative projects
- Price: $10.59 per 500 sheets at Amazon ($0.021 per sheet)
Choosing the Best Paper for Your Classroom
There are thousands of printer paper options and varieties to consider as a teacher.
Whether you’re looking for eco-friendly, budget-friendly (or both) paper, this blog offers solutions for a range of interests and needs. Teachers should keep a variety of paper types in their classrooms.
Keep in mind that not all printers can handle thick or specialty paper. Check your printer’s manual or specification sheet to find its paper size, weight, and media type handling ability to ensure your desired paper is compatible.
Remember: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people prefer glossy paper, and others may prefer matte. Some teachers may prefer color paper to white copy paper. However, the color and vibrancy of your prints are up to you, so you may want to consider several different options to make sure you get the result that works best for your classroom.
Do You Want to Learn More About Printer Paper?
There are thousands of printer paper options on the market, and choosing the right one for your classroom can be difficult.
If you want to learn more about the different kinds of printer paper options, check out some of our other comprehensive blogs:
• Top 5 Best Eco Friendly Printer Paper Options
• 6 Different Types of Paper for Printing
• 5 Best Printer Paper Options for Photo Printing (2024)
• 5 Best Budget Friendly Printer Paper Options (2024)
If you need help deciding on printer paper, or you’d like more information about paper, printing supplies, maintenance plans, or service agreements for your printer, contact us.
