Printer paper looks and feels thin the moment a resume leaves your printer. Dedicated resume paper — heavier weight, often cotton or linen-textured — signals that you took the extra step, and it holds up better if it's handed across a table at an interview. You don't need to overthink this purchase, but weight, texture, and color do matter more than people expect.
Our picks
Southworth is the industry-standard cotton resume paper — the brand recruiters and career centers have recommended for decades. 32 lb weight, acid-free, and watermarked, which gives it a subtle texture when held up to light.
Linen-textured cardstock instead of 100% cotton, in a smaller 50-sheet pack at a lower price. Still a clear step up from printer paper if you only need a handful of copies for one or two interviews.
Crane's is the more prestigious cotton-paper brand, more commonly associated with formal stationery. Sold in a large 500-sheet ream, so it makes more sense if you're printing a high volume of applications or want stock on hand long-term.
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What to look for
- Weight: look for at least 24 lb writing weight or 32 lb+ if it's labeled as resume-specific paper — standard printer paper is usually 20 lb and feels noticeably flimsy by comparison.
- Color: stick to white or a very subtle off-white/ivory. Anything more colored or textured than that reads as unprofessional in most industries.
- Cotton vs. linen: 100% cotton paper has a smoother, more substantial feel and is the traditional standard; linen-textured cardstock is a cheaper way to get a similar "upgraded" impression.
- Print a test page first — some inkjet printers bleed slightly more on heavier cotton stock than a laser printer does.
Frequently asked questions
Does resume paper actually make a difference?
For anything reviewed on-screen (most applications today), no — the file matters, not the paper. But for in-person interviews, career fairs, or any hand-delivered copy, the heavier weight and texture is a small, real signal of effort that a hiring manager will physically notice.
What color should I use?
White or a very light ivory/off-white. Bright white can look slightly stark under fluorescent light; a soft white or ivory is a common alternative, but avoid anything with visible color or heavy texture.
How many sheets do I actually need?
For most job searches, a 50-100 sheet pack is more than enough — you'll only print a physical copy for interviews and career fairs, not every application.