Compatible inkjet cartridges are only part of the story for printer owners. Using the right paper is critical to obtaining the best print quality from Brother compatible ink cartridges, Canon compatible ink cartridges, Epson compatible ink cartridges or virtually any other brand of printer cartridge available in the UK. Here's some information about how choosing the right paper can help you obtain the best print quality from your inkjet printer.

Desirable Inkjet Paper Qualities

The paper you choose for your inkjet paper should have superior weight, smoothness and brightness qualities. Absorbency is another factor to consider, because to produce a good image, the paper should absorb the ink but not allow it to spread. Even if you use premium-quality printer ink cartridges, your results may be disappointing because your paper may absorb too much ink. In these cases, the ink may even bleed entirely through the paper to the reverse side, thoroughly ruining the print. So before changing the expensive ink cartridge, be sure to experiment with a few different types of paper to determine whether the problem is with the ink or the paper.

More Properties of Quality Inkjet Paper

Inkjet paper is generally thicker than other types of paper and has properties to facilitate rapid ink drying. Paper for printing photos is also available. The most popular paper for inkjet printing has a glossy surface, though not as glossy as some types of photo paper. Although matte paper is also available, it's better used for printing text rather than photos. Using glossy paper with your brand name or compatible printer ink cartridges results in high colour density and widest gamut (range) of colour. Thicker paper is also more durable and should be used for archival purposes. Archival paper should be acid-free.

Image Longevity Obtained from Ink Cartridges

How long an image lasts depends on several factors, including the quality and type of paper used and the quality of the ink in the printer cartridges, whether black or colour. For image longevity, the paper should be wood-free. The best papers for preserving images have some fibre content, such as cotton. Some papers have a semi-gloss surface and bridge the gap between full-gloss and matte papers. There's also special paper for printing photos that has a variety of surfaces like matte, semi-matte or glossy. Be sure to use a brand of photo paper with archival properties.

With over 50 types of inkjet paper available, UK printer owners are sure to find one or two that work well with their devices. When in doubt, stick with paper that carries the same brand name as your printer, such as Brother Inkjet paper matched with Brother compatible ink cartridges.