Desktop Computer Review: Hammermill Ultra-Smooth 32 lb 8 1/2 x 11 Inch Laser Print Office Paper 500 Sheets (10464-6) Review

It's hard to review paper objectively when a lot of people don't think much of paper to begin with.Unfortunately paper is categorized in many "confusing" classifications for the average office worker, student and do-it-yourself photo printer to be of any real indication of "quality".I'll do my best to clarify paper "roles" and "grading" along with my quick review of the Hammermill Ultra-Smooth 32lb series.

Paper is generally classified under weight (density), brightness (white value or color intensity value), and task (purpose or role).Weight is basically the measurement of how thick a piece of paper is, or how dense it is.The brightness is a measurement on a scale of 1-100 (although marketing may now claim numbers above 100) of how bright the color of the paper is; usually most of the time of how "white" the color appears.The task of a paper is its generally suggested role (copy paper, photo paper, multi-purpose, etc) and usually accompanied by what type of printer best gives the results needed (such as Inkjet or Laser).

This particular paper series from Hammermill can be best described as "The best Jack of All Trade Papers" I've used.It's thick enough for reports and fliers but not too thick to be considered entry level card stock.It's bright enough for presentation graphics and high contrast images but does not produce photo images well enough to replace glossy paper, and it can be considered a good all around paper for quality prints without costing an insane amount of money if high quality matte was used on all print outs.

The finish on the paper is lightly glossy, so there is a small sheen to the paper but it isn't really apparent enough for photo re-prints.Simple graphics (especially high color contrast images) do indeed look very nice on the paper.My biggest gripe with the paper is that it's not sturdy enough (considering it's 32lb grade) for duplex image printing without "wrinkling".Heavy paper and photo paper is specifically designed not to wrinkle when loaded with a lot of ink (hence their name) and I was kinda hoping this Hammermill paper would be able to hold its own in the image department.However heavy images on one side of the paper is enough to make it wrinkle on the other side making it an "average" image quality paper.The brightness is also not very impressive once again considering it's "98 GE" rating when I really consider it more of a 94 to be accurate.

I would highly recommend this paper thus as supplementary to reports, presentations, and paper proejcts where you might contain some extremely high quality transparencies or photo print outs to give a more complete professional feel, rather than printing an entire report for example on photo paper which may seem like a bit too much (if not a bit tacky).For the home user, it's a great alternative for the children and the family printer for every-day decent quality photo/image print-outs without breaking the bank on glossy photo sheets.

There's nothing else much to say other than this series of paper being the best "professional multi-purpose" every day paper you could possibly use.For students and every day print jobs, it's overkill.For business and professional tasks, it's the perfect balance between quality and value.For artists, photographers, proofreaders, and other graphic intensive applications; it's only good enough for draft work unfortunately.In the end I like it for what it is; a printer's reliable multi-tool.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hammermill Ultra-Smooth 32 lb 8 1/2 x 11 Inch Laser Print Office Paper 500 Sheets (10464-6)

Product Description:
Super-smooth surface produces amazingly sharp images--even up to 2400 dpi. Radiant white shade for superior image contrast will ensure that your presentations and proposals make a great impression. Specially formulated for excellent print contrast, spot-color or full-color reproduction. Acid-free for archival quality.

Get 9% OFF