Paper Whiteness: How white does copier paper need to be?
by Wiepa Team on Jun 24, 2026Paper Whiteness: How white does copier paper need to be?
In a nutshell
A high degree of whiteness is particularly worthwhile for customer documents and presentations, while standard white is perfectly adequate for internal printouts. Recycled paper with a more natural white tone is therefore not automatically inferior, just visually different.
The degree of whiteness describes how bright or white paper appears. Very white paper can make printouts appear more high-contrast and high-quality. However, for many internal applications, a very high degree of whiteness is not necessary.
When is a high degree of whiteness worthwhile?
- Offers and customer documents
- Presentations and handouts
- Documents with a strong external impact
- Color printouts with high contrast
When is standard white sufficient?
For internal printouts, lists, drafts, and copies, standard paper or recycled paper is often sufficient. This allows companies to purchase more targeted and use paper according to its purpose.
Recycled paper and whiteness
Recycled paper appears more natural or less white depending on the type. This is not automatically worse. For many office processes, reliable running properties and suitable print quality are most important.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lower degree of whiteness a quality defect?
No, it is primarily a visual property; functionality and print quality are not necessarily dependent on it.
Do color printouts look better on whiter paper?
Yes, a higher degree of whiteness usually increases the perceived contrast of colored or graphic content.
Should one compromise on whiteness for recycled paper?
For internal purposes, it is usually unproblematic; for representative documents, lighter recycled paper can be a good compromise.
Further Wiepa Guides
What copier paper does a company need?
Paper Grammages explained: 80 g, 90 g, 100 g and more
Conclusion
Not every application requires premium white. Those who separate internal and external documents can purchase paper more economically and consciously. More on this: Paper and copier paper.
