The right paper depends on where the calendar will live and whether you will write on it. A wall calendar needs stiffness, a binder calendar needs to be thin enough to turn pages, and both need a surface that takes a pen.
Paper Weights Explained
Paper sold in the US is labeled in pounds, but two different scales are used, which makes the numbers confusing. "Bond" or "text" weight is used for printer paper; "cover" weight is used for cardstock. Grams per square meter (gsm) is the same everywhere, so compare by gsm:
- 20 lb bond = 75 gsm: standard copy paper.
- 24 lb bond = 90 gsm: slightly heavier, less show-through.
- 32 lb bond = 120 gsm: premium printer paper, noticeably stiffer.
- 65 lb cover = 176 gsm: light cardstock.
- 80 lb cover = 216 gsm: medium cardstock.
- 100 lb cover = 270 gsm: heavy cardstock.
- 110 lb cover = 300 gsm: very heavy; many home printers cannot feed it.
The grammage article explains how gsm relates to pound weights.
So 65 lb cardstock is more than twice as heavy as 32 lb paper, even though the number is smaller.
Which Weight for Which Calendar
Wall calendar, one month per page: 65–80 lb cover (176–216 gsm). Heavy enough to hang flat from a single pin or clip without curling at the corners, and still thin enough for most home printers.
Fridge or desk calendar: 32 lb bond to 65 lb cover (120–176 gsm). A magnet holds it fine, and it will not flop over when propped against a monitor.
Binder or planner pages: 24–32 lb bond (90–120 gsm). Thin enough to turn and to punch, heavy enough that pen does not show through to the next month.
Draft or test prints: 20 lb bond. Always print one test page on plain paper before using cardstock.
Check What Your Printer Can Feed
Every printer lists a maximum paper weight in its specifications, often with different limits per tray. Before buying a pack of cardstock:
- Inkjet printers often accept heavier paper only through a rear feed slot or a single-sheet tray. Feeding cardstock from the main cassette is a common cause of jams.
- Laser printers need the media type set to "Heavy" or "Cardstock" in the print dialog. This slows the fuser so the toner bonds to the thicker sheet; without it, toner can rub off.
- Feed one sheet at a time if the printer jams with a stack.
- Never put inkjet photo paper in a laser printer. Its coating is not made for the fuser's heat and can damage the printer.
Matte, Satin or Glossy
Matte is the best choice for any calendar you write on. Ballpoint, gel pen and pencil all work, and there is no glare under kitchen or office lights.
Satin or semi-gloss gives colors a bit more depth and still takes most pens, though pencil does not show well.
Glossy photo paper makes colors bright but is a poor calendar surface: ballpoint skips, gel ink smears and pencil barely marks it. Use it only for a calendar that is purely decorative, such as a gift with a photo cover. If you want a writable glossy surface, a laminated or sheet-protected dry-erase calendar works better.
Brightness and Paper Color
US printer paper lists a brightness rating, usually between 92 and 100. A 96–100 bright paper makes the colored month title stand out more than a 92 bright sheet, which matters for lighter template colors.
Cream or natural paper gives a warm look that suits earthy palettes like the boho templates. The dates still read well because they print in dark gray. Colored paper (blue, green, pink) lowers the contrast of the month title, so pick a template with a dark main color, such as one from the minimal templates, if you print on tinted paper.
How Much Ink a Calendar Uses
CalendarBest PDFs print on a white background with dark gray dates, light gray grid lines and one accent color for the month title, divider line and today marker. A month uses far less ink than a photo page, so a pack of cardstock usually runs out before the cartridges do.
Recommendations
- Wall calendar for a year: 80 lb (216 gsm) matte cardstock, Letter or A4. Twelve sheets plus a test page.
- Shared family calendar: 65 lb (176 gsm) matte cardstock, or Tabloid for a larger sheet; see the 11x17 guide.
- Planner insert: 32 lb (120 gsm) bright white paper, punched for your binder.
Pick a layout in the CalendarBest builder, export the size that matches your paper, and follow the steps in how to print a calendar to keep the margins even.
Frequently asked questions
65 to 80 lb cover (176 to 216 gsm). It hangs flat without curling, takes a pen well and feeds through most home printers, often through the rear feed slot.
Yes. 65 lb cover is 176 gsm and 32 lb bond is 120 gsm. Cover and bond weights use different scales, so compare papers by gsm.
Not well: ballpoint skips and gel ink smears on glossy photo paper. Use matte paper for any calendar you write on.