Did you know that you can’t use any available photo papers in a laser printer? As these printers use colors in the form of fine powder, only the right type of photo paper can provide the expected quality.
If you go through several products on Amazon, you will see tons of choices. Their features are so close to each other that you may order a wrong one easily.
That is why I have decided to solve the puzzle for you and reviewed 7 best photo papers for laser printers. Now, carefully read the description, pros, and cons of every product and order one according to your budget or requirements.
Comparison Table For Laser printer photo paper
If you want to know what is the best photo paper for laser printers without reading the whole post, the following quick summary will help you:
- Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum – Heaviest Glossy Laser Printer Photo Paper
300 gsm, long-lasting printing on paper, very thick and heavy, crispy and neutral white, size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Hammermill Glossy Paper – Best Cheap Photo Paper
120 gsm, 300 sheets, size: 8.5 x 11 inches, jam-free, acid-free, 94 bright white
- Printerry Glossy Photo Paper 100 Sheets – Great Option Considering Quality and Price
250 gsm, 100 sheets, size: 8.5 x 11 inches, high-quality glossy photo paper, Ideal for home and professional projects
- Glossy Photo Paper, by Better Office Products – Good-Quality Mid-Range Laser Printer Photo Paper
230 gsm, size: 5×7 inches, smooth finish for fast drying, even ink-absorption, versatile uses
- HP Premium Plus Photo Paper – Best photo paper for Hp printer
200 gsm, size: 8.5 x 11 inches, 80lb Heavyweight Glossy Paper, Coated on both sides, for photo-quality brochures and flyers
- Glossy Photo Paper 100 Sheets – Preferable for A Wide Range of Compatibility
200 gsm, size: 5×7 inches, 100 sheets, Works with all laser, inkjet, and super tank printers
- Milcoast Glossy White Full Sheet – Tear-Resistant Photo Paper
200 gsm, size: 8.5 x 11 inches, 25 sheets, advanced MILCOAT formula for waterproofing, tear-resistant
What Type Of Photo Paper Is The Best For Laser Printer?
Before reading the reviews of photo papers, you should know the types of laser printer compatible photo paper. There are 3 types of laser photo papers available for photo printing. They are:
- Glossy
- Matte
- Semi-gloss.
Many people use matte photo paper for laser printer, but I believe, the best photo paper for laser printer is the glossy paper as this one is designed for laser printers to withstand high temperatures and fuse toner to the paper’s surface.
This type of paper also has significant printing effects with any laser printer. This photo paper for color laser printer produces more vibrant color reproduction and increases the contrast between light and dark marks. Glossy ensures every shade and prints crystal clear images.
7 Best Photo Paper For Laser Printer Reviews
As we have different tastes, I have selected seven other products which all have some uniqueness. So read the article and find out your desired one from the review section.
1. Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum – Heaviest Glossy Photo Paper for Laser Printer
Canon’s new glossy photo paper fulfills the commitment of being the top graded photo paper in all aspects. The Pro Platinum paper delivers a premium-quality image, an excellent match for Canon Lucia and ChromaLife100+ inks. Its luxurious texture, high image durability, and high color reproduction capabilities convince me to keep it as my first-choice photo paper for a color laser printer.
First of all, we all demand a product which gives high durability. So, here the Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum comes. It turns printouts into artworks and provides a photo 200-year durability.
Moreover, this canon printer paper consists of ink-receiving layers’ Alumina’, separated into two layers, the color-reproduction layer, and the absorbing layer. These layers help in high-speed ink absorption with higher quality color printing.
In Canon’s new glossy photo paper, there is a chromogenic enhancer in the resin-coat layer. It amplifies light and enhances the contrast between the printed and the not-printed area. That is why you will get superior quality of whiteness.
Again, its layered structure enables the dye to be fixed closer to the paper’s surface and produces a deep, rich black along with delivers a bright saturated color gamut compared to its semi-gloss and matte paper counterparts.
So, should you consider it as the best bet?
Of course, its glossy finish gives every possible detail, color, and higher brightness ratings that all want. Pro Platinum protects photos from gases and lights needed to keep those precious memories protected for future generations. But a little bit problem with it is, it is very reflective.
Pros:
- High brightness and whiteness
- Ultimate high-gloss finish
- Excellent fade resistance
- Quick solid-liquid separation
- Outstanding color reproduction
Cons:
- The glossy surface is reflective.
2. Printerry Glossy Photo Paper 100 Sheets – Great Option Considering Quality and Price
The brand Printerry manufactures this Glossy Photo Paper, which is my second choice. I consider it as a runner-up because of its weight. The durability of laser photo paper increases at a rate proportional to weight. Printerry Glossy comes in 250gsm, which is lower than the previous one.
But don’t feel hesitation in choosing it because it also has excellent quality photo printing capability. Like Canon Pro Platinum, it also provides rich colors that give the print a glossy finish.
Its color representation is also outstanding. The photo comes up with crisp details even if you are printing it with a cheap wireless printer; I am sure you will love it. Again, it will also give the picture much long-lasting life.
Printerry works with all dye inkjet, laser, and super-tank printers; together, they create an excellent quality photo. Furthermore, it gives 98 brightness ratings, which is highly recommended for an outstanding print.
Another bright side is the photo printing paper comes with 100 sheets and a bearable price. The impressive thing is the Printerry Glossy Photo Paper comes at a low-cost but gives a quite similar quality photo of Canon. It is usable for professional use also.
Pros:
- Rich color representation
- Gives crisp and clear details
- High brightness
- Super glossy finish
Cons:
- Very reflective
3. Glossy Photo Paper, by Better Office Products – Good-Quality Mid-Range Photo Papers
Better office product produces this Glossy Photo Paper, which is comparatively lighter than the previous two papers. Its weight is 230GSM (gram square meters), which is industry standard. But I keep it in the third position according to the scale of durability. Let me tell you that position doesn’t matter much as it has some superb quality.
The Photo paper is found in the bulk pack of 100 sheets of glossy paper. It is ideal for all photo enthusiasts because it suits the casual hobbyist to the professional photographer.
It also contains different efficiency, that is its versatility. It is compatible with both inkjet and laser-jet printers. But for photo printing, inkjet printers are highly recommended.
In terms of its photo quality, it gives a smooth finish. Besides, this Photo Paper has a fast-drying capacity and even has ink-absorption quality. It also comes at a budget rate with lightweight and high-efficiency.
Pros:
- White Glossy photo
- Ink-absorption
- Fast drying
- Versatile quality
- Bulk pack
Cons:
- Little issues with durability
4. Hammermill Glossy Photo Paper – Most Cost Efficient Paper for Photo Printing
If you are looking for a cost-efficient photo paper, then Hammermill comes with the best glossy photo paper for laser printer. That is why I have chosen the USA-based Hammermill Glossy Paper for review, which can be run in all laser and color printers. It comes with 130gsm weight and the lightest among the other papers on the list.
Though Hammermill is found at a reasonable price, it will give you huge advantages. Like this trustworthy product offers a 99.99% jam-free guarantee.
Moreover, it provides acid-free archival quality photo print. This feature in Hammermill prevents the photo from yellowing over-time. This glossy paper also offers a premium-quality color-intensive image, and this gloss coated sheet allows for high-quality documents.
Wait a bit! There are more impressive factors that are unique in this product. The incredible thing is it helps to replant forests because the original Hammermill is FSC certified. You can even use this photo paper in presentations and email.
Besides, it provides optimum imaging performance for brochures, flyers, and other business purposes too. If you search for a presentation-quality copy for photos at an affordable price, check out this product. Hopefully, Hammermill Glossy Paper will not disappoint you.
Pros:
- 99% Jam-Free guarantee
- Acid-free Glossy paper
- Replant forests
- Presentation-quality color copy
- Cost-efficient
Cons:
- Less durable
- Very lightweight
5. HP Premium Plus – Well-reputed Laser Photo Paper
Now, look into another gorgeous printing option for a top-grade wireless printer – HP Premium Plus Photo Paper. It has some remarkable quality for which I chose it for review but why I can’t consider it as my top pick for its weight. But its specialty is, it has high opacity for two-sided printing.
HP paper is the matte photo paper for inkjet printers, which creates exceptional printed media. It uses inkjet printing technology, which can attract new clients by printing professional-quality brochures. Again, HP photo paper is coated on both sides for two-sided printing and gives a glossy shine on every sheet’s front and back.
Is there anything more? Yes, this photo paper for HP laser printer is beneficial and the right choice for the environment because it is designed for easy recycling.
Moreover, HD’s fast-drying, proper absorption, as well as printer-friendly technology, is quite attractive. It also has tear-resistance quality. This product is thick in construction and doesn’t bend and crinkle under pressure.
Overall, you can choose it in a professional project as it is mainly the printer’s business paper. The HP premium plus paper is also quite excellent for making attractive book covers.
Pros:
- Durable, long-lasting prints
- Tear-resistance
- A bright white finish
- No printer damages
- Eco-friendly
- Flexible options for different printing needs
Cons:
- Sometimes reflective
6. Glossy Photo Paper 100 Sheets – Preferable for A Wide Range of Compatibility
Like the previous one, the Glossy Photo Paper 100 sheets appear with 200GSM weight. I like this product for its wide range of compatibility.
This photo paper has quite the same qualities as the other papers. It has a quick-drying capacity, and it gives a smooth-glossy finish to your photo. Again, like the HP Paper, it is also recyclable and earth-friendly. It can reduce the damage caused by the photo paper to the environment.
In all the similar qualities, it also bears the uniqueness of making the images a traditional photograph. As it is preferable for the broad range compatibility, it works with all laser and inkjet printers.
The downside of this product is, it sometimes gives a bit unsatisfactory finish. And it is not much suitable for professional use. If your preference is to make a traditional photograph or home framed photos and do not want to spend a fair amount of money on a photo paper, this photo paper will be your best choice.
Pros:
- Long-lasting photo quality
- Makes traditional photograph
- Impressive compatibility
- Environment-friendly
- Recyclable
Cons:
- Water drop-in paper can ruin the photo
- Unsatisfactory glossy finish
7. Milcoast Glossy White Full Sheet – Tear-Resistant Photo Paper
My last choice of glossy photo paper for a laser printer is Milcoast Glossy White Full Sheet. Though it comes with expensive price tags, I chose it for some of its unique features. Many of you may first consider features relatively the price, so you can enjoy using Milcoast.
The first notable thing about this photo paper is, it has advanced Milcoat waterproof formula. This feature keeps ink from running out when exposed to water or any liquid and also prevents smearing. Each sheet of it is adhesive on the back and stick firmly without peeling. It gives high-quality glossy white and long-lasting photos.
Moreover, it is compatible with both inkjet and laser printers. And you can use markers, pens or pencils on it. You can also print long-lasting stickers, maps, banners, ID tags, medical charts, or posters with this photo paper.
Last but not least, this paper is produced and distributed by Milcoast so that you can keep faith in this brand.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Premium-quality photo
- Long-lasting photo
- Markers, pens can be used for writing
- Tons of uses
- Prevent smearing
Cons:
- It is expensive, indeed.
How to Get the Right Photo Paper For Laser Printer?
After viewing all the photographic papers for laser printer, if you become confused about choosing the suitable one, then pause a minute, check out the buying guide. The guide will help you pick the best laser printer photo paper.
Compatibility
If you have one of the top graded best laser printers for photos, you also need to use compatible laser papers, which will ensure the glossy finish of your printed piece.
There are some varieties like Xerographic bond paper, which can reproduce fine details with crisp clarity. Then laser-compatible transparency film is also used in presentation documents.
There are more laser printer friendly photo papers like -label stock, coated, cover-weight, or translucent papers. You have to choose according to the printer and your usage preferences.
Weight
Considering paperweights before buying is another necessary point. There are various weights available for different uses. Keep in mind that paper’s quality and durability depend on its thickness. So, the thicker the copy, the more durable the sheet will be.
However, the paperweight is measured in Grams per Square Meters (GSM). You will get a good quality business card in 300+GSM. Then the quality will decrease or increase depending on the GSM measurement.
Size
The laser printer photo paper has some available sizes for non-tear paper, transparencies, and even some continuous roll papers. There are A3, A4, or even A5 is available for the printer. 8.5×11 is considered an A3 piece, and 11×17 is A5 paper. So before buying, check out what size paper you need.
Waterproof and Tear-Resistant
This quality is not much important for consideration as maximum glossy paper contains waterproof capacity. But if you want high waterproof photo paper then find out the best one for it.
Another capability should have tear-resistance. Maximal glossy has this capacity, but all don’t bear the same resistance. So before buying, check it out in the documents. If your paper tears out quickly, you may fail to reserve such an important photo. That’s why elect the product with comparatively high-resistance.
Budget
Now consider the budget. It is necessary after all you have to pay money to buy. Extraordinary components require some extra penny and will give you satisfaction. But don’t worry if you have a budget issue. Check out the product info and match your desire to find some excellent performance models at a reasonable price tag. So, before going to buy photo paper, research its price also.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need special photo paper for laser printers?
It is not necessary to use special photo paper for laser printers. You can use a ream of cheap office copy for getting adequate results. But if you want the best performance, then special photo paper is essential for sure.
Can you print on inkjet photo paper with a laser printer?
You should not use inkjet photo paper with a laser printer. As inkjet cannot bear high heat, it can damage the laser printer.
Is laser or inkjet better for printing photos?
It depends on what kind of print you want. If you wish to vivid exhibit-quality photos, take a good professional photo inkjet printer. On the other hand, if you need medium-quality-colored images, then go for laser printers.
can I use canon photo paper with Hp printer?
yes, you can print photo using canon photo paper on Hp printer. However, it may absorb more ink. That's why, Hp recommends only Hp photo papers
Conclusion
I have discussed seven photo papers above to help you easily find the best laser printer photo paper in the market right now. Hopefully, this article will direct you to your desirable photo paper for laser printing.
I selectively pick these products mainly for the color laser print; now it’s your turn to read carefully and make the right choice.