Printing studio-licensed music, Music Achievement Cards, and more at home definitely makes teaching easier. You can print off a new sheet of Rhythm Achievement Cards when a student approaches the end of a unit, or print your recital templates at home. Music, games, and more are always at your fingertips!
A teacher recently emailed us asking which paper weight was best to use for printing music pieces and Music Achievement Cards at home. This is such a great question. Since paper weights have been a niche interest to Wendy for years, we thought this post might be helpful to everyone!
You can definitely use whichever paper weight and type you prefer, but paper weight does make a difference in the way a piece of music is perceived and even processed in the mind (especially if the paper is so thin that you can see through it), so here our recommendations for the best paper weight for printing.
What is a paper’s weight?
Paper stock is graded according to lightness or thickness by its weight. In the US, it’s measured by pounds (LBS) and more broadly in a unit called GSM (grams per square meter). It’s important to know that there is a big difference between 80# “text weight” and 80# “cover weight” (also called card stock) so be careful when purchasing or ordering that you specify whether you want text weight or cover weight.
Printing shops carry different weights of paper for different products. For reference, standard printing paper is usually 20# or 24# text weight. “Copy” paper is most often 20#. Cardstock from a craft store is usually 100#, and heavyweight cardstock is 110#. At an office supply store, you’ll find a much greater variety and selection of paper weights and quantities!
Paperweights are actually quite complicated, so we recommend taking a look at this article which might help explain it further.
The best paper weights for printing:
- For music pieces, a 24# text weight paper is just about perfect for music because you can print it front/back without too much show through. This paper is easy to find. For example, Costco often carries a 24# printer paper and Walmart almost always carries it.
You can also print on 20# text weight, but it doesn’t feel as thick and you can see through it more. This is a lighter weight of printer paper. Wendy always prints her test proofs of music on 24# paper. - For programs – A 24# text weight will work just fine. You’ll see through it some, but not much. However, there’s also a 32# or 80# text weight that is beautiful for more formal programs like wedding programs or if you want to really bump up the quality (and price) of your recital program. This paper is very pliable and might seem flimsy compared to cardstock, but less see-through and much thicker than regular paper. This paper is more difficult to find, but any print shop or even Amazon should have it.
- For achievement cards, 110# card stock is a nice weight, but 100# will also work. Of course, you can also print it on a heavier text weight paper if you want (like the 32/80# above), but the cards will be pretty flimsy and you’ll be able to see through them. Office supply stores, Walmart, Target, and Amazon are just some of the many places that you can order this card stock paper. HOWEVER: Please read about matte vs. gloss below as this may make a big difference in your end result!
Matte vs. Gloss
A few years ago, I bought a really nice printer that was supposed to print amazingly beautiful photographic like prints. I knew that I needed this so that I could test print all our beautiful covers instead of sending them to the print shop all the time.
But when I printed with 110# card stock from Walmart, I was sorely disappointed and perplexed. It was nowhere near as vivid or true-to-color as the prints I had been getting from my local print shop who also used 110# matte card stock. I had assumed that matte meant that there was no coating on the paper at all, as opposed to a glossy coating. But researching this made me realize that is not true.
But a true “matte” paper does indeed contain a coating on the top of it. But the card stock 110# or 110# paper that I would buy at Walmart is considered uncoated!
So I ordered some true matte card stock from Amazon. It was more expensive, but the covers printed perfectly this time!
So if you are perplexed about why your printer might not be printing as beautifully as expected, this is one factor to consider. I’ve never really had a need to print on glossy card stock on my home printer. If I do a glossy print, I almost always send it to the print shop because they have printers that can handle the fact that the ink needs to dry immediately on the glossy card stock and my home printer cannot do this.
Most of the time, this will not matter for printing sheet music. But if you are printing games or other resources that you really want to make sure are vivid and accurate in color, this will be helpful to know!
What are your thoughts on paper?
Do you have a favorite paper weight? How about a favorite home printer? Do you print Music Achievement Cards and Rhythm Achievement Cards at home? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! And remember: always do a test print before printing a big batch of your studio-licensed music and products!
HI, If I am printing side by side duet music should I set my printer to double sided?
Good morning, Ladies
I would like to admit that I was so incorrect about my students and the music achievement cards.
You asked me a few years back if I was using them, I replied that I didn’t think they would be interested! Was I wrong!!!! They are loving them. Love the wise wisdom you give. Will do a better job listening next time!
Thanks for the Tuesday e-mails.
Have a great day.
Markita Sue
This is so helpful, especially the part about matte paper. Thank you so much!
I always try to use 24# for double-sided printing too 🙂
I’ll use 20# for worksheets and single page things. This was a very useful article. Thank you for sharing.
Hi, Wendy!
I am an educational music composer as well, and use Hammermill Color Copy Cover (60 LB, 100 Brightness, 250 sheets, 17”X 11”). It was recommended by an XPEDEX employee. My covers look fabulous!
I am a paper fanatic, also! I have my music copied at
Office Depot or Staples.
Good question! It should work to print double sided IF you print the cover (because then the secondo would be on the back side of the cover page). If you don’t print the cover, you’d need to print the 1st page of music (the secondo page) by itself and then F/B after that. I ALWAYS test print things though, so it would be wise to test print the first few pages to make sure it prints like you want before printing the whole score.
I hope that helps!
Oh yay! Another paper fanatic! So glad you shared this, Fran. Thank you so much. It’s helpful and it also brings to light that there are other ways to refer to weight (like 60 bound is a lot like the 32 pound textI refer to above). Different printers have different ways to refer to it.
Really helpful information.
Can you advise on paper colour. I find my eyes are less tired and can read music better on traditional buff/ cream colored sheet music.
What would be the colour?
Matt or glossiness and weight of this traditional paper?
Good question! Definitely a cream, ivory, or buff paper would be better for you. But I’d stay away from gloss. Matte should be better. I do not think the weight of the paper should not make a difference on your eyes though.