Bond Paper

Bond paper and copy paper are functionally the same in modern office use. Both refer to multipurpose white paper available in 70/80/90 GSM for printing, photocopying, and documents. “Bond paper” is the traditional term, while “copy paper” is the machine‑optimized term — but today they are interchangeable.

In everyday office use, “bond paper” and “copy paper” refer to the same thing, but technically, they aren’t exactly identical in origin or classification.

In practice (office, printing shops, PH suppliers):
They are treated as the same product — the 70/80/90 GSM white sheets used for printing, photocopying, and documents.

Suppliers in the Philippines often label them interchangeably:

• “Bond paper 80gsm”
• “Copy paper 80gsm”
• “Multipurpose paper 80gsm”

Functionally, they behave the same in printers and copiers. Manufacturers now produce one multipurpose sheet that meets both specs, so the distinction has faded.

Standard Specifications

Sizes

• A4 – 8.5 x 11.75 inches (210 × 297 mm)
• Short (Letter) – 8.5 × 11 inches
• Long (PH Legal) – 8.5 × 13 inches
• Legal – 8.5 × 14 inches

Paper Weight (GSM / Basis Weight)

Bond/copy paper is typically categorized by GSM (grams per square meter):

• 70 GSM – Standard everyday printing; economical; used for bulk printing
• 80 GSM – Higher quality; better opacity; preferred for business documents
• 90 GSM – Premium feel; used for resumes, certificates, or double‑sided printing

In U.S. basis weight terms:

• 20 lb. bond ≈ 75 GSM
• 24 lb. bond ≈ 90 GSM

Thickness (Caliper)

Typical caliper values:

• 70 GSM → ~0.09 mm
• 80 GSM → ~0.10 mm
• 90 GSM → ~0.11 mm

Thicker paper reduces show‑through and improves durability.

Brightness

Brightness affects how white the paper looks and how sharp prints appear.

• 88–92 brightness – Standard office paper
• 94–98 brightness – High‑quality, crisp printing

Higher brightness = better contrast for text and images.

Opacity

Opacity determines how much print shows through the other side.

• 70 GSM → ~90% opacity
• 80 GSM → ~92–94% opacity
• 90 GSM → ~95%+ opacity

Higher opacity is ideal for double‑sided printing.

Grain Direction

Important for professional printing and folding:

• Long grain – Stronger along the long edge; preferred for most office printers
• Short grain – Used for specialty applications

Finish

• Uncoated – Standard bond/copy paper
• Smooth finish – Better for laser printers
• Matte – Reduces glare
• Textured (rare for bond) – Used for specialty documents

Color

• White (most common)
• Pastels (blue, yellow, green, pink) for forms or color‑coding
• Specialty colors for certificates or branding

Printer Compatibility

Bond/copy paper is designed for:

• Laser printers
• Inkjet printers
• Copiers
• RISO / duplicators

Typical Uses

• Office documents
• Reports
• Letters
• Photocopying
• Government forms
• School handouts
• Certificates (higher GSM)