Photocopy paper looks like the simplest thing in the office, until a damp ream jams the copier every few pages during exam week. The usual A4 copy paper is 80 gsm, sold in reams of 500 sheets and boxes of five reams, and the same in A3 for machines that take it. Buying in bulk saves money, and storing it properly saves the copier. Tell us how much you need and where, and we pass your request to independent office supply and paper suppliers near you, who quote you directly.
Sizes, weights and reams
Paper weight is given in gsm (grams per square metre). Standard copy paper is 80 gsm and suits almost every copier and printer. A ream is 500 sheets and a box is usually five reams, or 2,500 sheets. A3 paper comes in reams too, for A3 copiers that print plans, spreadsheets and folded booklets. Ask the supplier for the brightness and whether the paper is suited to double sided printing, as thin or rough paper jams more and shows through.
Card, colour and recycled paper
Heavier card, from about 120 to 300 gsm, is used for covers, certificates and menus. Not every copier takes heavy card, and most feed it from the bypass tray, so check the machine's limits before you order. Coloured paper is useful for school notices and exam versions. Recycled paper and paper certified as coming from managed forests are widely available; ask the supplier about them if your organisation has a green purchasing policy. Covers for bound reports often come with the binding supplies.
Damp paper and jams at the coast
Paper takes up moisture from the air. Damp paper curls, sticks together and causes double feeds and jams, which is a real problem in Durban, Richards Bay and along the Cape coast. Keep reams sealed in their wrapping until you load them, store boxes flat on a shelf or pallet off the floor and away from outside walls, and do not leave an open ream in the tray over a long weekend. Fan a ream before loading it. If jams continue with dry paper, the cause may be worn rollers, covered on our photocopier parts page.
Bulk deliveries for offices and schools
Offices that print a lot and schools in exam season often order by the pallet. Many suppliers deliver and stack the boxes, and some offer a set price for regular orders. Paper is not included in a copier service contract, so it is a separate monthly cost. Ask whether the price includes delivery and VAT, and whether there is a minimum order for free delivery. Check that the boxes arrive sealed and dry, and send back any that are wet or crushed.
- Monthly office deliveries by the box
- Pallets for schools before exams
- A3 reams for plans and booklets
- Card for covers and certificates
What to put in your request
- How many boxes of A4 and of A3
- The paper weight, usually 80 gsm
- Any card, colour or recycled paper
- How often you order
- The delivery address and any deadline
Photocopy Paper for offices, schools and home offices
- Home offices: a box of A4 paper delivered with the toner so it lasts a few months
- Small businesses and shops: a monthly box or two of A4 for the office copier and printer
- Corporate and head offices: regular deliveries of A4 and A3 to several floors and copy rooms
- Schools, colleges and universities: pallets of A4 delivered before exams and stored dry until the papers run
- Medical practices, clinics and hospitals: A4 for forms, referrals and invoices printed at reception all day
- Law firms, accountants and agents: A4 and A3 for contracts, court bundles and plans
- Government and municipalities: paper ordered on a quotation for many offices and service points
- Factories, mines and warehouses: copy paper for site offices printing delivery notes and job cards
- Churches, NGOs and community groups: a few boxes of A4 for weekly bulletins, orders of service and notices
Frequently asked questions
What paper weight should I use in my copier?
How many sheets are in a box of copy paper?
Why does my paper keep jamming?
Do you sell copy paper yourselves?
Photocopy Paper by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg