resume paper size a4 or letter

How Do I Pick the Right Resume Paper? [All You Need to Know!]

If you’ve only ever applied for jobs online, resume paper has probably never crossed your mind as a term before. 

Resume paper, however, is very much a thing, especially if you go to a job fair or a job interview and are required to bring a printed copy of your resume. 

Essentially, the right resume paper can make you look professional and attentive to detail, both of which can award you some extra points with recruiters by helping you stand out. 

That said, chances are you’re not so familiar with resume paper - let alone what the right one is in terms of color, weight, texture, and size, or what recruiters commonly prefer. 

Well, that’s totally normal. In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about resume paper. Read on to learn about:

• What Makes a Good Resume Paper?
• Resume Paper Color

Resume Paper Weight

Resume paper texture, resume paper size.

And much more!  

What Is Resume Paper?

Resume paper refers to paper specifically designed for resumes and cover letters . 

Compared to regular paper, resume paper usually comes in various colors and is thicker, heavier, and of higher quality. 

Although resume paper is usually not necessary (because the majority of job openings accept virtual applications), there are some cases when you should definitely consider it. These include: 

• When you’re required to mail a physical copy of your resume
• When you attend a job interview
• When you go to a job fair

Since many job-seekers don’t pay a lot of attention to resume paper, they can be a bit hard to come by, so we recommend ordering them online:

The type of resume paper doesn’t matter if your resume is not convincing. Use Novorésumé to create a job-winning resume within minutes!

What Makes a Good Resume Paper? 

Before you go on to buy a resume paper, you need to have a clear idea about what will work best for you. 

To make an informed decision, there are several things to take into consideration, including: 

• Cotton Content

Below we discuss each resume paper aspect separately, as well as offer you some insight on what the best choice might be for you based on your resume , profession, etc. 

Resume Paper Color 

The first thing to consider is the color of your resume paper. To choose the right one, you need to consider the job position, the industry, and your resume’s specific design elements. 

The most common resume paper colors are: 

• Ivory. Ivory resume paper is classy and timeless, with earthy tones that are perfect for more conservative industries such as law and business and senior professionals like managers, CEO -s, etc. Regarding your resume’s color palette, ivory looks great when matched with dark, contrasting colors and white spaces.
• White. White resume paper is easy to read and can make the colors of your resume pop out distinctively. While white is fitting for almost every job and industry, it’s particularly great for designers, artists, or anyone with a visual resume that contains graphs and resume icons. White color resume also looks great for resume designs that use light shades like gray or blue. 

While both resume paper colors are highly recommended, go for ivory color if you want to look sophisticated and stand out from the crowd and for white color for a safer, yet professional look. 

After you’ve decided on the color of your resume paper, it’s time to choose the right paper thickness or weight. Typically, resume paper comes in three different weights, namely: 

• 20 lbs (75 gsm). This is the standard weight for office printing paper. Although there’s nothing wrong with 20 lbs weight, it’s more see-through than the other two options and easier to crumble. Although this is by far the most economical choice, it’s also the least professional one, as it doesn’t compliment high-quality color or texture.
• 24 lbs (90 gsm). This weight is budget-friendly yet still a professional option. Although it’s more transparent and frail than the 32 lbs option, it’s much more professional than standard office printing paper and a perfectly acceptable option if you want to save some money.
• 32 lbs (120 gsm). 32 lbs resume paper is the most professional, qualitative, and expensive choice when it comes to paper weight. It’s thick, brightly colored, and the least transparent out of the three options, so if you have the budget don’t hesitate to go for it!

Most standard printers can’t usually handle 32 lbs of paper, so consider going to a printing shop or office supplies store to get the best printing results. 

You’ve probably realized by now that resume paper quality isn’t something to take lightly. And if you haven’t, you will after reading about how important texture is in making your printed resume look professional. 

The texture of your resume paper will define how your resume feels to the touch, which can in turn make it more or less memorable. 

Below, we have listed the pros and cons of the most common resume paper materials out there:

#1. Plain Resume Paper: Pros & Cons

Plain resume paper is a common and safe choice that’s basically used in every office and for most printing purposes. It’s a material that everyone is familiar with, it’s economical, and it’s overall an acceptable choice, especially if you’re on a budget. 

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of a plain resume paper:

• Standard and “safe”
• Works with the majority of resume designs
• Small chance of ink spills
• Cheap price
• Not so memorable
• Lowest quality material

#2. Parchment Resume Paper: Pros & Cons

Parchment paper is all about class, elegance, and history. 

It’s no wonder that all the important documents were historically printed on parchment paper . Although there’s no denying that the appeal of parchment paper is timeless, this can be a two-edged sword with recruiters. While some may love it, others may find it pretentious and a bit outdated. 

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of parchment resume paper:

• Official appearance
• Classy and elegant
• Not a common material choice
• Requires high-quality printer
• A pretentious choice for some recruiters

#3. Granite Resume Paper: Pros & Cons

Granite paper represents the perfect balance between a speckled and a refined texture that feels like sandpaper but still isn’t too rough to the touch. 

This material effectively highlights darker colors, it’s easy to grip, and can set you apart from the competition with its elegance and originality. Not to mention, granite paper is mainly made from recyclable materials, making it an eco-friendly option. 

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of the granite resume paper:

• Suitable for most printers
• Environmentally friendly
• Original yet classy 
• Not suitable for light-colored resumes

#4. Laid Resume Paper: Pros & Cons

Laid paper comes with embossed lines on its surface that look like rolling waves. Today, we see paper as a flat surface, whereas laid paper aims to imitate how the paper looked when it was first invented. 

This alone makes it a memorable choice for your resume paper’s material, especially in an industry or job position where originality is appreciated.  

That said, laid is also the material that’s more likely to bring out printing errors and mess up your resume’s text and font quality - especially if your resume uses a dark-colored palette or if you don’t have a good printer handy. 

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of a laid resume paper: 

• Original and classy
• Nice to the touch
• Very costly
• Likely to cause printing errors

#5. Linen Resume Paper: Pros & Cons 

For a thick and durable material, you should choose linen as your resume paper material. It’s weighty, easy to grip, and soft to the touch, all thanks to its unique cross-hatch style texture and natural thickness. 

Much like granite, a linen resume paper is guaranteed to make your resume stand out. Here’s an overview of its pros and cons: 

• Authentic and classy look
• Works with most printers
• Durable and nice to the touch
• Prone to wrinkling easily

This is probably the easiest resume paper aspect to get right. 

As a rule of thumb, the right resume paper size is the standard paper size in your region. In the US, that’s the letter size (8.5 x 11 inches). 

In Europe and much of the rest of the world, that’s the A4 size (8.27 x 11.69 inches). 

Remember that not following your region’s standard paper size won’t help you stand out from the competition - it will only make you look uninformed and careless. 

Cotton Content on Resume Paper 

Last but not least comes cotton content. 

To understand how important cotton content is for resume paper, just take a look at what it affects:

• Paper quality and durability
• Color richness and depth  

Basically, you could have picked the perfect color and material for your resume paper and still leave recruiters unimpressed if the cotton content is low. Meanwhile, if you opt for a medium-quality weight, for example, like the 24lbs one, but with high cotton content, the result is going to impress recruiters much more. 

4 Tips to Choose the Best Resume Paper

At this point, you pretty much know everything there is to know about what makes a resume paper really great. But how exactly do you make the right choice for yourself?

Here are 4 tips for choosing the best possible resume paper for your professional stage: 

• Consider the design of your resume template : Does your resume template use dark, contrasting colors or lighter shades of gray and blue? Will it take a lot of ink to print, or does it follow a simplistic design? These details can help you determine what color, material, and the weight you should go for. 
• Print out several options: This might be slightly unrealistic if you’re on a budget, but printing out several resumes to use in different situations can be quite beneficial. You can use, for example, ivory parchment paper weighing 32lbs for more traditional positions, or white linen weighing 24lbs for more casual, creative industries. 
• Use high-quality paper for executive positions : If you’re applying for executive positions, nothing but the best will cut it. Go for 32lbs, ivory, linen resume paper to make your resume look sophisticated, unique, and professional. 
• Adapt to the industry: Being original is one thing and being the black sheep among all other applicants is another. Try to find a balance between originality and conventionality by taking into consideration what your industry finds “acceptable” (e.g. creative industries leave more space for experimenting with the resume paper color and material, whereas more conservative industries undoubtedly prefer more minimalistic and high-quality choices, especially in terms of cotton content and paper material). 

Bottom Line: What Is the Best Resume Paper? 

If all these resume paper options left you feeling a tad confused, don’t worry. 

Although there’s a place and industry for every resume paper, a study comparing different resume layouts showed that traditional paper performs better than more creative options .

The traditional resume printed on white paper performed better than all other options used in the study.

Nonetheless, the message is clear. If you’re on a budget or otherwise conflicted about the resume paper you should use, white paper with high cotton content is a commonplace, safe choice that is unlikely to harm your chances of getting the job. 

Resume Paper FAQ 

If you still have some questions regarding resume paper, you can find our answers to some questions we haven’t covered yet below: 

#1. Can I Put My Resume Paper in a Normal Printer?

Although most standard printers can print out resume paper, you’ll have to first check the printer’s manual to make sure it will print resume paper. After you make sure your printer can print resume paper, read the instructions for any specific steps you need to follow. 

If your home printer can’t print resume paper, you can try printing it at a printing store or office supply store.

#2. Can I Use A4 for My Resume?

In most cases, the A4 size is perfectly suitable for your resume paper. 

Actually, your printed resume should follow the standard paper size by region. In most of the world, that’s the A4 size (or 210mm x 297mm), whereas in the US and Canada it’s Letter size paper.

#3. Should I Staple My Resume?

Most recruiters are not fond of stapled resumes for the simple reason that staples make it difficult to take the resume apart. Not to mention, as a rule of thumb, most resumes shouldn’t be longer than one page , which means you don’t even need to staple it. 

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! You should have all the info you need in order to pick the right resume paper for you. 

Before you go, though, here are the main points we covered in this article: 

• Resume paper refers to paper specifically designed for resumes and cover letters. In comparison to regular paper, resume paper usually comes in various colors and is thicker, heavier, and of higher quality.
• You need to think about resume paper when the job position requires that you submit a printed copy, when you go to a job fair, or when you attend a job interview. 
• Resume paper quality depends on several factors, including quality, color, texture, size, weight, and cotton content. 
• Keep in mind that most standard printers can’t handle the highest-quality resume papers, so make sure to go to a printing office to get the best printing results. 

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How to choose the best resume paper

Is resume paper still a thing? The answer is yes — resume paper is a relevant subject today for the same reasons it was in the pre-digital age, even if printed hard copies are needed far less often. In fact, the number of considerations for making informed choices about resume printing paper may surprise you, both on the practical and esthetic side. 

That the overall quality of resume paper is better than ordinary printer paper is fairly obvious. Typically, it feels heavier and looks noticeably nicer than regular printer paper. But with so many different types of resume paper available, comparisons among them are less straightforward. In the following guide, we will be covering: 

• What resume paper is
• The best color, weight, material and texture of resume paper
• Expert tips and insights on how to choose the right paper.

What is resume paper?

It’s easy to explain what resume paper is not . Except for the letter-size dimensions, resume paper is not the same as ordinary printer paper (sometimes called “copy” paper — as in office copier). Resume paper is designed specifically for printing resumes and cover letters, and may also be used as stationery for a wide variety of other specialty purposes. 

One size does fit all Your only choice for resume paper should be the letter-size standard — 8.5 by 11 inches in the U.S. or A4 in other parts of the world — the same as ordinary printing paper.

What do you need resume paper for?

Of course, the content of an outstanding resume should always be worth more than the paper it’s printed on. But there’s no question the document’s look and feel when placed on a desk or in someone’s hands can make a critical difference, for better or worse. 

So when exactly does this matter? With online job applications being the norm nowadays, how likely is it that anyone in the hiring organization is going to print your resume on special paper, if they even print it at all? Shouldn’t the PDF version be your only preoccupation when it comes to resume design elements?

There are three modern-day situations where job seekers need printed copies of their resume, on the best quality resume paper they can afford:

• Mailing or hand-delivering your resume to an employer.
• Handing out during a face-to-face job interview — either your resume alone or prefacing a portfolio of work samples.
• Leaving your resume with recruiters at a job fair.

Your choice of resume paper will affect the overall impact on those who first notice the printed copy you’ve provided and hold it in their hands while reading. What do you want recruiters to see and feel? Optimizing the way your printed resume will be “experienced” by the target employer is the goal of selecting the best resume paper. 

What is the best paper for your resume?

As a key takeaway from our occupation-specific writing guides and resume examples , we emphasize the importance of tailoring every version of your resume to the specific job you are applying for, along with the employer and industry. Then take the same customized approach a step further in choosing a resume design template with cohesive formatting elements, perhaps harmonizing with the employer’s visual identity. 

Resume paper options add one more layer of compatibility considerations. Take cues from your resume design template in finding the best resume paper fit. Just as financial or legal professionals are well served by a meticulously buttoned-down resume design template, a resume paper that emits minimalist, premium-quality vibes would do justice to their printed resume document. 

Resume paper for a management or executive job application should convey a polished sophistication that reflects attention to detail . An understatedly simple look on paper — without sacrificing quality — would be just fine for most entry-level job applicants. There’s more leeway in creative and artistic fields to consider less conventional resume paper colors and textures. Other resume papers lend themselves to manufacturing or high-tech job markets.

So how do you choose which paper to print your resume on?

Choosing the best resume paper is largely a matter of personal preference — not just your own, but also your best guess about those on the receiving end of your resume. HR research data can be somewhat helpful in determining which printing paper is your safest bet or could land your resume in the reject pile without being read. But it still comes down to subjective assessments when people are asked to pick this or that favorite. 

The good news is that each of the following decisions you make about the perfect resume paper need not be complicated. We’re going to keep it simple as possible so overthinking doesn’t bog you down. 

While HR research has yielded no conclusive verdict on any overall “best” choice of resume paper, the consensus on these two characteristics is solid.

• Weight: 32lb.
• Material: Cotton content should be at least 75%, and ideally 100%

Resume paper color: one or the other

White or ivory? Seldom should a passing thought be given to any other resume paper color… and then pretty much only in special creative circumstances when you’re certain the employer would be enthused. Notwithstanding the dozens, or even hundreds, of different white and ivory shade variations, your paper color can be narrowed down to this “either-or” choice. 

But not so fast … because the white-versus-ivory question is often not simple or obvious at all. It may require a tougher judgment call than any other resume paper consideration. 

Deciding whether your resume looks better on a white or ivory background depends on the resume design template you’ve chosen, alongside the image you want to project. Experimenting with both paper colors is the only way to be sure. 

New York resume template

Our New York template is monochromatically clean and refined with elegant graphic touches. You could never go wrong with white or ivory paper, but ivory might give you a distinctively worthy edge.

Sydney resume template

Sydney makes a vibrantly modern statement by adding a side column of transparent text and graphics against a solid dark-colored fill. White or ivory paper are equally effective, but ivory shows more originality. Be sure your printer is up to the task of producing color true and deep enough for high-quality results. 

Amsterdam resume template

Our Amsterdam resume template also features a side column with a solid background fill. But instead of a 100% dark color, it’s a light shade of grey that does not show up as well on the ivory paper. So in this case, white resume paper is a better choice.  

With leading job search experts yet to rule unanimously on a verdict favoring white or ivory resume paper across the board, we can only offer these general areas of consensus.

Resume paper weight: worth your weight in words

This may actually be your least weighty decision about the best resume paper for printing. Paper weight refers to thickness and density characteristics affecting the printed appearance, as well as the feel and durability. Thinner, lighter-bodied sheets of paper are more transparent and less crumple-proof.

Increases in paper weight come with improved product quality and professionalism — real and perceived. A resume that looks and feels firmer and less flimsy will stand out in the stack with good reason, psychologically lending solidness to the job application.

Printing paper weight is measured in pounds per “ream” — equal to a package of 500 sheets. With 20 lb. being the standard printing paper weight, resume paper is generally also available in two heavier weight options: 24 lb. and 32 lb.. 

Of the three resume paper weight options typically available — 20 lb., 24 lb. and 32 lb. — you’ll never regret splurging on 32 lb.

Resume paper material: the content you write on, not about

Resume content takes on a whole new tangible meaning when we talk about what the paper itself is composed of. Paper material is a key quality indicator of your printed resume document, sometimes relevant to the weight and texture.

The most significant make-or-break impact of resume paper material comes from the percentage of cotton content. From 0% to 100% in relation to standard wood pulp composition, the higher the cotton content in your resume paper the better the quality and durability. With less light reflection, cotton enhances the richness and depth of ink color. It contributes both softness and crispness to the paper feel. 

As a preferred resume paper material, cotton scores extra marks for eco-friendliness. Other environmentally sustainable materials include bamboo and linen, the latter appreciated for its lovely resemblance to the woven cloth made from the same flax plant source. 

Not sure which resume paper to pick? Feel it an see! 

Often, when you're ordering things online, you don't see (and feel) them until they arrive. However, if you're stuck choosing between different types of resume paper, it may help to touch the options. Head to a retailer and test out the different varieties.

Resume paper texture: the full finish

We’ve saved resume paper texture until last to address here, but by no means is it the least important. Resume paper “finish” — in both visual and tactile senses of the word — can make the biggest difference in achieving the finished product you desire.

Again, your decision should reflect your resume design template , particularly graphic elements whether it incorporates colors other than black. Experiment with a variety of paper textures to assess which one will achieve the desired effect.

Plain resume paper is self-explanatory in terms of the texture it lacks, as opposed to having any distinctive finish. Its plainness is familiar to everyone as a staple in every office. It’s a failsafe choice for showcasing your printed text and graphic elements without detracting or sacrificing legibility.

But by no means is plain paper synonymous with bland. As discussed in the previous section, the higher the percentage of cotton composition, the more striking the impact.

The unmistakable resemblance of linen to a finely stitched canvas or woven tablecloth is what makes it such a popular choice of paper texture. The look and feel of linen imparts a sense of premium quality, lending itself to virtually any resume template. 

In this context of resume paper finish, bear in mind that the paper material need not be linen (see previous section). In fact, the subtly embossed crosshatch pattern is often achieved using 100% cotton paper. 

The vintage elegance that makes parchment paper an obvious choice for official documents, diplomas, formal invitations and special event programs makes it an iffy option for resumes. Employers could very well be impressed — but not always in a good way. In the eyes of some beholders, parchment imparts formality and class. Others are turned off by what they perceive as trying too hard, if not pretentious.

The marbled effect of parchment-textured paper makes it unreliable for resume design templates with non-black text and graphic elements, which can be obscured. Beware also that some parchment paper colors may have greyish or greenish overtones.

Resume paper with a granite finish can be the best of both worlds for a look that’s refined and understatedly original. There’s a sense of style and substance in the appearance and touch. The quality of printed text and graphics on the smooth, fleck-patterned surface is generally good. One possible drawback is that the paper shade may be darker overall.

Resume paper with a laid finish replicates the Old World look of paper when the manufacturing process was first invented. The embossed “chain line” pattern is similar to the impressions made by antique machinery.

The main drawback of laid paper for resumes is the very thing that makes it unique and sophisticated. Those texture-defining raised lines can interfere with printing quality, and even cause missed spots. Laid paper is not recommended if your resume contains many solid dark areas.  Access to a high-caliber printer is vitally important. 

Where to buy resume paper

Once you’ve decided which type of resume paper to use, shopping for it should not be too difficult. You can either head to the stores and find the resume paper you need, or shop for it online. Here's a quick breakdown of where you can get the best resume paper:

• Local retailers like CVS, Walmart, Target or Walgreens should have a decent selection of basic resume paper.
• For a much wider variety of paper colors, weights and finishes, visit your nearest office supply store such as Staples, Office Depot or FedEx Office.

Heading to a stationery retailer? Don't miss this trick. 

Consider printing your resume at one of these locations while you are at it, even if you have a printer at home. An office supply retailer can be a convenient, affordable and dependable option for professional-quality results.

• The Paper Mill Store
• Goulet Pens
• Office Depot

Key takeaways

• The predominance of online job applications has not rendered resume paper obsolete. Printed resumes are still needed for mailing or hand-delivery to an employer, in-person job interviews and job fairs.
• Resume paper quality can make or break the recruiter’s first impression of a job applicant’s professionalism and attention to detail.
• Besides affecting the overall impact of your resume, the paper color, weight, material and texture can influence the appearance of text and graphic graphic elements, for better or for worse.
• With resume paper choices largely subjective, there are no hard and fast rules, only general guidelines. Strive for compatibility with your resume design template, which should already be a good fit with the occupation, employer and industry.

What type of paper should you use for your resume?

Though job boards and applications have mostly moved online, there are still reasons to print your resume on an actual piece of paper. Job interviews, job fairs, networking events, and mail applications are all situations where a paper resume is important.

Just like when you apply for a job with a PDF, it’s important to make sure that your paper resume stands out from the rest. This requires not only great resume content with an attractive layout , but paper that shows professionalism and style. In this article we will discuss the different types of paper you can use to print your resume.

Recommended links:

• Our collection of 500+ professional resume examples .
• Our gallery of 20+ downloadable resume templates .
• Our cover letter examples
• What is resume paper?

Resume paper is a heavy, high-quality, and often off-white paper used for resumes and other important documents. It tends to be sturdier and longer-lasting than regular printer paper. Resume paper gives your resume a professional feel, and evokes a high standard of quality that employers appreciate.

You could, of course, print your resume on whatever standard paper you already have sitting in your printer. Many job seekers do this. But to stand out, better quality paper goes a long way.

• What paper should you print your resume on?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a paper type. The weight, colour, material, and texture will all affect the appearance of your resume.

Paper weight

Paper weight is a measurement of a ream, or 500 pages, of that paper before it is cut down to size. Paper weight tells you the thickness of the paper. The heavier it is, the thicker it is.

Typical printer paper is 20lb. For a resume it is better to use a heavier paper stock, such as 24lb or 32lb. The heft and thickness of these weights gives the paper a feeling of importance and professionalism. Where regular 20lb paper is flimsy and tears easily, 32lb paper feels sturdy and important. With a heavier paper weight, your resume will feel like something made to last.

Paper colour

Many job-seekers wouldn’t think to use a colour other than white to print something. When it comes to printing a resume, however, plain white isn’t the only option. The two main colours used for printing resumes are white and ivory.

White is the colour of typical printer paper. It will work well for any resume design, as the white background won’t interfere with the colours of the resume.

Ivory is a warm, off-white colour that can give your resume a classic feel. It works best with traditional resume designs, like VisualCV’s Monte template . A classic, professional resume template paired with high-quality ivory paper makes for an impressive resume.

However, if your resume has large coloured sections, like VisualCV’s Avant template , the off-white colouring of ivory paper may interfere with the colours. Simple designs and dark colours will look best on ivory paper. Make sure to test different papers before sending your resume along to an employer so you know your resume layout still looks as good as it can.

Other colours

Paper is, of course, available in many different colours. For the purposes of resume paper, however, it is safest to stick with white or off-white. More colourful paper may be difficult to read, or stand out for the wrong reasons. Employers won’t be interested in reading a bright red resume.

If you are in a particularly artistic field like graphic design or illustration, you may prefer to use coloured paper to demonstrate your creativity and really stand out. If this is the case, make sure the colour is subtle, like light blue or a gentle yellow. The colour should be mild enough that it complements the resume design, and the resume should still be easy to read.

Paper material

The ingredients that make up your paper affect how the paper feels. The right materials can make a big difference. As you research paper materials for your resume, the important thing to look for is cotton content.

Cotton paper is a strong, durable type of paper that is commonly used for important documents like resumes. It is soft to the touch, making it pleasant to handle, and it lasts longer than typical printer paper. Printing your resume on 100% cotton paper will ensure that it is sturdy and impressive.

Typical printer paper is made using wood pulp. As long as it is thick and high-quality enough to print well without the printer ink bleeding through, the paper in your printer can handle a resume if necessary. When it comes to printing a document this important, however, higher quality cotton paper will improve the appearance and durability.

Paper texture

Many producers offer different paper textures, called finishes. Parchment paper, woven paper, linen paper, and velvet paper all have slightly different textures and appearances. A popular choice for resumes is linen, which is a pleasant woven texture meant to feel like the fabric it is named after.

Adding unusual textures to your resume can be risky, however. The added ridges may make your resume more difficult to print, and some employers may find the texture to be a distraction rather than a refined touch. If you particularly like the look of linen paper—and your printer can handle it—then it is an acceptable choice, but for most job-seekers a resume without a finish is ideal.

Your resume should be the standard paper size for your region. In The US and Canada, this is Letter size paper, or 8 ½” x 11”. In Europe and much of the rest of the world, use an A4 paper, or 210mm x 297mm. There shouldn’t be any need to do research here, as the paper already in your printer—or at your local print shop—will likely already be in the regular size.

• What Color Resume Paper is the Best?

Ivory or White colored resume paper is generally the best for most resumes. They both support most font colors very well and reduce the risk of your resume’s text becoming too hard to read.

• How thick should the resume paper be?

We recommend that your resume paper should be between 37 gsm to 47.36 gms. To find this resume paper, look for 25lb and 32lb text paper respectively.

• Is Blue resume paper OK?

Blue resume paper is okay as long as the text is readable to the hiring manager. We commonly see blue being used and accepted in the case of creative job applications.

• Should I use White or Ivory resume paper?

While using a resume paper, Ivory colored resume paper leaves a much higher impact when it is used for a traditional job application. A white resume paper on the other hand is a great fit for the majority of the job applications.

• Can you put resume paper in a normal printer?

Yes, you can place a resume paper in a normal printer. If your resume paper is watermarked, you need to print a sample to see if the output is as you expected. Once you are sure, you can go ahead and print your resume on the watermarked resume paper using your normal printer.

• What is the difference between resume paper and regular paper?

A resume paper is much stronger and more durable than a regular paper. A regular paper feels weaker when handed over to a hiring manager, whereas a resume paper would leave a higher impact.

• Should resume paper have a watermark?

Watermarked resume paper displays that an applicant cares enough about the job application that they end up picking a higher quality paper.

• What is the weight of the resume paper?

A resume paper typically has a weight between 25 lb to 32 lb.

• The Bottom Line

That’s a lot of information for something so everyday as paper! At the end of the day, what type of paper should you use for your resume?

When it’s time to print your resume, 32lb, 100% cotton, ivory paper is likely your best bet.

If your resume is colourful, you may not want to use ivory, and if you can’t afford 100% cotton paper, a lower percentage will do. Even 24lb or 28lb paper is sufficient if you can’t find 32lb paper. The important thing is that your paper is slightly heavier and higher quality than typical paper. When every other candidate submits plain, 20lb printer paper, your thicker, finer paper is sure to stand out.

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

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The Best Resume Dimensions, Margins, and Layouts for 2022

Brandi Glass

• 5 min read.

One of the most frustrating resume errors is the margin that’s too small. It’s often a result of an ambitious candidate keen to fit as much valuable information as possible into their resume. The result, however, is almost never what they were hoping for.

Rather than reading all that meticulously crafted text, most recruiters will take one look at this cluttered resume and put it to one side. Simply put, get your margins (or any other resume dimensions) wrong, and your resume will be hard to read. With hundreds of resumes on their desk, most recruiters will simply move on to the next one.

In contrast, a well-designed resume will encourage recruiters to spend longer on it, and potentially net you more invites to interviews. Fortunately, there are some time-tested rules to resume dimensions, margins and layouts. Let’s break them down.

Resume Dimensions that Will Make Your Resume More Attractive

Resume paper dimensions.

Your resume should be designed to be printed out on the standard paper size where you live. Be careful if you’re applying for roles abroad: in most of North America, Letter (8½” x 11”) is the standard paper size. Meanwhile, in Europe, A4 (210mm x 297mm) is more common.

Don’t be tempted to send an A4-sized resume to a company in the US. You might submit it via email, but chances are they’ll print it off in the office. As a result, your carefully planned formatting will be ruined.

Resume Margins

The standard resume margin is one inch. Although you might be able to get away with narrowing your margins by 1/16th or 1/8th of an inch without it being noticeable, it’s rarely a good idea. Only do it as a last resort.

Number of Pages

In the US, most resumes will fit on one page, although there is a growing trend of submitting two-page resumes. If your resume doesn’t fit onto one page, pay close attention to the page breaks.

It’s worth creating a manual page break rather than relying on your word processor’s page breaks. You should also double-check to see if the page break falls differently across different file formats, e.g. DOCX (Microsoft Word) vs PDF.

The Best Resume Layouts and Style for Reader-Friendliness

White space.

When creating your resume, you want to maximize the amount of white space without cutting out valuable information. Resumes with lots of white space are more reader-friendly, and as a result, more attractive to recruiters and employers. Most of the points in this section are designed to help you achieve a reasonable amount of white space.

Although there are a few situations where multiple-column resumes can work well, they’re normally a bad idea. They’re not as machine-readable, and with more and more companies using applicant tracking systems , that can seriously disadvantage you.

Additionally, surveys using eye-tracking software have found that recruiters spend less time reviewing resumes with multiple columns. Not only is your resume less likely to make it through to the recruiter, but it’s also harder for you to impress them.

In short, avoid columns to increase your chance of a positive response from recruiters.

Paragraph Spacing

Generally speaking, your resume shouldn’t contain many paragraphs. You have limited space, meaning that bullet points and headers should dominate. However, you should still pay attention to paragraph spacing, since it will decide how much space there is between your headings and lists.

Don’t be tempted to reduce spacing in order to squeeze more information onto your resume. It will backfire as the reader-friendliness falls. As a general rule, the paragraph spacing should be at least twice the font size — i.e. the same paragraph spacing that we’re using in this blog post. Additionally, the space between sections, e.g. “Education” and “Career History” will often benefit from being increased.

Line Spacing

Just like with paragraph spacing, line spacing is important for improving readability. For most font styles and sizes, a line spacing of 1.5 will be ideal.

Headers structure your resume, direct the recruiter’s attention and ensure your resume is easy to read. When we speak about headers, we often have a hierarchy of headers. In your word processor, these will typically be referred to as header 1, header 2 and so on. Header 1 is the biggest heading, with other headings designed to be nested beneath it.

You want your headers, especially your bigger ones, to jump off the page. The recruiter should be able to instantly find your education section, skill section and so on when they look at your resume. So make sure to use a large font size, e.g. 14–16 points. Don’t be tempted to use a smaller size and instead change the color of your headers: many recruiters will print out your resume in black and white or grayscale.

You can also use smaller, nested headers for specific job titles. This is particularly helpful when you have extensive professional experience.

The standard font size for regular text on resumes is 12 points. Although you might be able to adjust the font slightly if you have a particularly large or small font style, it’s not generally a good idea to deviate too much. If the font is too big, it wastes space and can look juvenile. Too small, and it becomes hard to read.

Your resume is not the right moment to experience with font styles (unless, of course, you’re applying for a design-based job). There’s a reason Times New Roman and Arial are the most common font styles: they’re easy to read. Stick with them for the best results.

Bullet Points

Bullet points will create more white space on the page and allow you to write more concisely. They can be used anywhere except for your professional summary. Just make sure they are all identically formatted.

Templates Take the Guesswork Out of Resume Building

There’s lots to consider when building a resume: dimensions and margins, sections and headers , machine readability … And that’s without considering how to best frame your professional background, education and skill sets.

It’s important to get your resume right. A well-structured and professionally written resume will help you impress recruiters, get invited to interviews and potentially negotiate a higher starting salary .

Building your resume can be easier than you might think, however. All you need is a good template that you can customize to your personal situation.

Here at Rocket Resume, we have millions of resume templates that you can use as a starting point. Whether you’re a recent college graduate, workplace returner or an experienced professional, our templates will help you show off your skills and experiences.

Moreover, our resume builder will suggest the ideal structure and style based on your background. You’ll even get recruiter-approved suggestions for the best phrasing to use.

Each resume is machine-readable, comes with pre-set dimensions and margins, and can be built in just 10 minutes. Take the stress out of resume building and create yours now .