6 Best Resume Paper Types (& How to Choose)

Using a professional resume paper is one of the best ways to leave a positive, lasting impression, and it will communicate that you’re serious about the role.

Below, we break down everything you need to know about resume paper types, weights, textures, colors, and sizes.

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What is resume paper?

Resume paper is high-quality paper specifically designed to print your resume or other important documents on.

Many job seekers believe that resume paper and regular printer paper are the same, but the two differ significantly.

Resume paper vs. regular paper

Resume paper is thicker, heavier, and higher quality than regular printer paper. Resume paper also features a more refined color and comes in various types and styles.

Is resume paper necessary?

Usually, resume paper isn’t necessary. Nearly all jobs now accept online applications in PDF or Word Doc format.

However, there are still some situations when printing a hard copy of your resume is necessary:

1. You’re attending an in-person interview
2. You want to check out a job fair
3. You’re mailing a physical copy of your resume

High-quality paper ensures your resume leaves a professional first impression on the hiring manager.

The best resume templates for 2026

One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

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Top resume paper types compared

To help you decide what resume paper to choose, we purchased six popular types of resume paper and rated them on their look and feel. Here’s an overview of which are best and how they differ.

1. Linen 100% Cotton (32lb) ★★★★★

The linen finish has a unique, premium texture that makes holding the paper enjoyable. Additionally, standard linen paper is 100% cotton and weighs 32lb, making it durable.

Linen paper will give your resume a sophisticated look and make a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

2. White 100% Cotton (32lb) ★★★★☆

If you want to play it safe, 32lb white cotton paper is the perfect choice for printing your resume on.

Textureless and with a plain-colorless stock, 32lb white cotton paper keep distractions to a minimum, making your resume look crisp and formal. The heavier weight also gives it a nice heft.

The only thing 32lb white cotton resume paper lacks is something that sets it apart from the competition, like a distinctive texture or color.

3. White 100% Cotton (24lb) ★★★☆☆

White 100% 24lb cotton paper is flimsier, less impressive, and more likely to get crumpled than its higher-quality 32lb counterpart. However, this resume paper is still an acceptable choice if you need something understated and formal on a budget.

4. Ivory 25% Cotton (32lb) ★★☆☆☆

Sophisticated and subtle, ivory 32lb paper is a great choice if you need a resume paper with some flair. The warm ivory color stands out and gives your resume a timeless, chic look.

However, at 25% cotton, it lacks the premium feeling and pleasant texture that 100% ivory cotton paper has.

5. Ivory 100% Cotton (24lb) ★★★☆☆

This 24lb ivory resume paper is nearly identical to the previous 32lb version, except that it boasts a higher cotton content — and it makes a big difference.

While the previous 32lb ivory resume paper weighed more, we found that the higher cotton content of this 24lb version made a big difference.

A higher percentage of cotton toughens the paper, making it harder to tear and crease. Additionally, the cotton adds a pleasant texture, making your resume feel more premium.

6. Ivory 25% Cotton (24lb) ★★☆☆☆

While ivory looks timeless and classy on higher-quality paper, the colors are washed out on this lower-cotton sheet. The printed resume’s colors actually look like they’re stained.

Additionally, the lighter weight is noticeable. Compared to a 32lb ivory sheet, this 24lb variety of ivory resume paper feels flimsy and cheap.

How to choose the best resume paper

For most people, the best resume paper is linen 100% cotton (32lb). But, that doesn’t mean it’s the only option.

Resume paper differs in four distinct aspects:

• Color
• Weight
• Material
• Texture

Resume paper color

The two most common resume paper colors are ivory and white, and whichever you decide to use will affect your resume’s look and color depth.

White resume paper is crisp, easy to read, and makes the colors on your resume pop. It’s particularly effective for templates with light-colored shading, such as grey side columns, which maintain better visibility and contrast on white paper than on ivory.

Meanwhile, ivory resume paper has an earthy tone and conveys a refined, timeless look that’s best for those making a more conservative resume, such as office managers or anyone working in a corporate environment.

Here’s a color comparison of both white (pictured left) and ivory (pictured right) resume paper:

While you can’t go wrong with either paper color, we recommend using ivory resume paper because its unique earthy color looks highly professional and makes your resume stand out from others in a pile.

Resume paper weight

Another important factor that can affect the employer’s opinion of your resume is the thickness of the sheet, otherwise referred to as the weight.

Paper typically comes in three different weights: 20, 24, and 32lb, with 20lb paper being the standard for office printing paper (the weight is measured per each package of 500 sheets of paper, otherwise known as a ream).

Meanwhile, your typical resume paper is usually the heavier 24 or 32lb version, which makes it thicker and more durable.

Should you choose 24lb or 32lb resume paper?

For most people, the decision over whether to choose 24lb or 32lb resume paper comes down to price.

If you’re okay spending more, 32lb resume paper is the best option. It’s thicker, more weighty, and will give your resume a professional feel when holding it.

On the other hand, 24lb paper is more transparent and flimsy. However, it’s still an acceptable option if you want to save money, and will always be better than printing your resume on standard 20lb office paper.

Resume paper material

Regarding your resume paper material, most people only need to worry about one aspect — cotton content.

Basically, the cotton content of your resume paper will affect the sheet’s:

• Color saturation and depth
• Weight and thickness
• Crispness and softness
• Durability

High cotton content (75% or above) will ensure your resume looks great and is nice to hold, but it is more expensive.

Unfortunately, higher cotton resume paper will be more expensive, but if you’re looking to print a professional-looking resume, it’s a necessity.

You can also find more-niche materials to make your resume out of, such as recycled paper. Choosing recycled or granite-textured paper is a good choice for those in the sustainability or environmental sectors, as it helps signal your values to eco-conscious employers.

Resume paper texture

Now that you’ve figured out your cotton content, you need to tackle your resume paper texture. Luckily, you can choose from a wide array of paper textures.

Along with the cotton content you choose for your resume paper, the texture will also play a role in how it feels in the hiring manager’s hands.

Depending on which texture you choose, you can make your resume feel smooth or rough to the touch, which can make your resume more memorable.

Plain (Standard Cotton Paper)

Plain is always a safe choice because it’s the paper texture everyone is most familiar with. Plain paper is used in most offices worldwide to print everyday documents, making it the cheapest and least flashy option for your resume paper texture.

If money is an issue and you’re not concerned with making your resume paper’s texture stand out, going with plain paper is fine.

Linen

Linen paper has a unique cross-hatch style texture that makes it weighty and easy to grip, with the feel and consistency of a rugged matt but with a soft touch.

If you want your resume to be thicker and more durable, choose linen.

Granite

Next, we have granite. Choosing granite-textured paper will give your resume a speckled and semi-rocky feel to it. Granite textured paper feels like very light sandpaper, but fine enough that it’s not too rough in the reader’s hands.

Additionally, granite will give off a darker color compared with plain resume paper.

Choose granite if you want an original and elegant-looking resume.

Laid

Finally, there’s laid resume paper. Laid paper has embossed lines that will appear as tiny rolling waves on the surface of your resume. It’s meant to emulate how paper initially looked before production advances evolved it into the flat surface we see today.

Choosing laid paper texture can provide your resume with a sophisticated look and feel. However, after printing, ensure you double-check that the raised lines don’t negatively affect your resume’s text and font quality.

Resume paper size

The last thing to consider when buying resume paper is the size of the page.

In the U.S., always stick with 8.5 x 11 inches for your resume paper size unless stated otherwise by the employer. For applications in Europe and much of the rest of the world, A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches) is standard.

Where can I buy resume paper?

You can find basic resume paper at any big brick-and-mortar store like Target, Bestbuy, or Walmart. For more options, office supply stores such as Staples, FedEx, and Office Depot boast a more comprehensive selection of resume paper with different colors, weights, and stocks.

Best resume paper brands:

• HP – for affordability
• Southworth – for a premium feel
• JAM Paper – for eco-friendly options
• Hammermill – for durable, crisp prints

Where can I print my resume?

If you don’t own a printer at home, you can easily get your resume printed on the paper of your choice at these shops or locations:

• FedEx
• Staples
• Office Depot
• Your local public library