High Gloss Laser Paper - very good results

This is two-sided glossy presentation paper that can be used in a laser printer.  I have been very happy with the resulting prints.

A few years ago I needed to be able to make near photo-quality color prints without a photo printer, or an inkjet printer.  That’s mainly because I have a very good color laser printer.  Who knew that it would be really hard to find paper to accomplish that?

I finally found this box of 200 sheets made by Hewlett Packard, at Staples.

These are standard 8.5 x 11 inch sheets.  The weight is 32 pound and the brightness is 95.  They are glossy on both sides, so they are great for use in business presentation folders as well. 

It is recommended that you change your printer settings when you use it.  There should be a setting for glossy paper or some other way to slow the speed of the printer.  This allows time for the toner to dry better as it passes through, reducing smudging. I have to say that I’ve forgotten to do this sometimes and haven’t had a problem.  But if you would be doing multiple prints in a row, I’m guessing that it would be important.  I have had other projects smear with a laser printer.

Some of the prints I’ve made since then have been framed, and I don’t think you can tell the difference between them and a photo when they are behind glass.  Held in your hand someone with a discerning eye could probably tell the difference, but unless you need professional photo printing (in which case that’s what you would do in the first place) this is great.

If you hold the print at an oblique angle and look across the surface you can tell that it’s not a photo.  At that angle there is an odd sheen to the edges of the different colors.  It’s hard to describe, but you can tell the difference between these and an inkjet print that way.

The prints do not smudge.  How the colors turn out will depend on the quality of your printer, not the paper, so I can’t speak to that.  The 32 pound paper is a little lighter weight than actual photo paper, but I don’t see that as much of a problem if it’s going to be framed or put in a scrapbook.  If you want to print wallet photos or something that will be carried around a lot, it might not be so good.

I haven’t had a problem with ink transfer, but I haven’t really put any of the prints I’ve made into plastic or carried them closely stacked in a warm place (such as a wallet carried in a hip pocket).