Paper 101: A Simple Guide for Everyday Printing

Have you ever had to print a document before and been overwhelmed by all the options? If so, you’re not alone. Trying to decipher what the correct size should be between Tabloid, A4, Legal, and every other less-than-obvious name can be difficult and frustrating.  

Paper sizes can be confusing, especially when different countries use different standards. This Paper 101 guide breaks it all down so you can choose the right paper for your needs and avoid printing headaches. 

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Two Paper Standards: ISO vs North American

There are two primary systems for paper sizing: 

• ISO 216 (International Standard): Used globally, especially in Europe and Asia, developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 
• North American Standard: Common in the U.S. and Canada. 

We will primarily focus on standard North American paper sizes.

Quick Access:

Click one of the following to jump right to it.

• North American Sizes
• ISO A Sizes
• ISO B Sizes
• Envelopes
• ARCH Sizes
• ANSI Sizes
• Types of Paper Finishes
• Common Types of Paper
• Less Common Paper Sizes
• Pro Tips

Common North American Sizes:

Common International ISO A Sizes:

These A series paper sizes are based on a consistent aspect ratio of 1 to the square root of 2. Each size in the series is created by folding the previous size in half along its shorter edge. For instance, if you cut an A4 sheet in half, you get two A5 sheets. This system also makes it easy to create brochures—an A3 sheet folded in half becomes an A4 brochure. The dimensions of A series paper are rounded to the nearest millimeter for standardization.

Common International ISO B Sizes:

The B series paper sizes are based on the geometric mean between sizes in the A series. For example, B1 falls between A0 and A1 in terms of dimensions. Although B series paper isn’t as commonly used in everyday office settings, it’s frequently chosen for specific purposes like posters, books, envelopes, and passports.

Envelopes:

Envelopes are perhaps the most confusing–find the most common North American sizes below.

Architectural and Engineering Sizes (ARCH & ANSI):

ARCH paper sizes (short for Architectural) are specifically designed for architectural drawings, construction plans, and design layouts. These sizes are part of a U.S.-based standard that complements the ANSI system but with dimensions better suited for architectural scaling and plotting. 

Why ARCH Sizes Are Useful: 

They maintain a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is ideal for architectural scaling. 

They’re designed to work well with plotters and large-format printers. 

They allow for easy scaling between sizes (e.g., ARCH B is half the size of ARCH D). 

ANSI paper sizes are primarily used in the United States for technical drawings, engineering documents, architectural plans, and construction blueprints. They were developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to provide a standardized system for documents that need to be scaled or reproduced easily. 

Similar to ARCH sizes, each ANSI size is exactly twice the area of the previous one, which makes it easy to scale documents up or down while maintaining proportions—ideal for technical and design workflows. 

Paper Finishes:

The texture of your paper can make all the difference in the world. Find the difference between glossy and smooth right here.

Common Paper Types:

Plain, high quality, cardstock, the list goes on and on. What’s the difference between all of these and when should you use them? Click below to find out.

Less Common Paper Sizes:

While it is unlikely you’ll need to utilize these international sizes, here they are nonetheless!

Looking for a paper size that we didn’t mention? Check out this site for more.

Pro Tips: 

Use quality paper to avoid jams and reduce wear on your printer.

Avoid Paper Curling

If your printed pages are curling and looking warped, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place for solutions. 

Why does paper curl? 
Paper curl is usually caused by too much moisture in the paper. This can happen if the paper is stored in a humid environment or left inside a printer for too long, where it absorbs heat and moisture from the machine’s fuser. 

How to fix it: 

• Store paper properly: Keep your paper in a cool, dry place to prevent it from absorbing excess humidity. 

• Fan the paper before loading: This helps reduce static between sheets, allows the paper to “breathe,” and minimizes the chance of jams. 

• Refresh paper that’s been sitting in the printer: If paper has been inside the machine for a while, take it out, fan it, flip it over, and rotate the stack 180 degrees. This helps counteract the effects of heat and moisture buildup from the printer. 

These simple steps can go a long way in reducing paper curl and improving your print quality. 

Avoid Cheap Paper 

Experiencing more frequent paper jams? 
 
Have you recently switched to a different brand of paper? Lower-cost paper is often manufactured to be lighter, thinner, and not cut to precise dimensions—sometimes not even a true 8.5″ × 11″. These subtle inconsistencies can disrupt your Kyocera device’s performance, which is engineered to handle exact paper sizes with precision. Consider trying one of your old reams of paper to test the jamming. 

Cheaper paper often sheds more lint and causes more issues. 

How Paper Sizes Became Standard 

In the U.S., the 8.5 × 11 inch Letter size has been the norm for decades. But it wasn’t until the 1980s, under President Reagan, that the 8.5 × 11 size became the official government standard. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) later formalized this in 1995 for engineering and technical drawings. 

Need a Quality Copier to Match Your Quality Paper? 

Then you’re in the right place. Contact Century Business Products to start down the path of the perfect copier. Or skip the line and build your own dream copier right here.