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How to Store Printer Paper So It Doesn't Curl, Jam, or Smudge

by William Elward Last Updated:

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Quick answer

Printer paper is happiest flat, sealed, in a cool dry place at 68–77°F and 35–55% humidity. Keep it in its original ream wrapper until you load it, store the wrapper itself off the floor on a shelf, and never leave paper sitting in a hot car or damp basement. Properly stored, a ream lasts years; mistreated, it can curl and start jamming in a single weekend.

Why paper storage matters more than you think

Paper is mostly cellulose fibers, and cellulose loves water. A ream sitting in a humid garage can absorb enough moisture in a week to start curling at the edges, sticking together, and producing smudgy prints. Paper also loses moisture in dry winter air, which makes it brittle and prone to static cling. Both extremes cause the same symptoms: jams, misfeeds, and ink that doesn't sit right.

The three enemies of printer paper

1. Humidity

Above ~60% relative humidity, paper starts soaking up moisture. The edges curl first (called "wavy edges"), then the whole sheet goes soft. Damp paper produces ink bleed, smudges that appear hours after printing, and a much higher jam rate.

2. Heat

Direct sunlight or storage near a radiator dries paper out and yellows it. UV light is especially bad — paper stored on a sunny windowsill can yellow in weeks.

3. Physical pressure

A ream stored on its end (vertically) for months bends and warps. Same with stacking heavy boxes on top of an open ream. Paper takes a set very easily.

Where to store paper at home

The best spot in most homes is an interior closet or a cabinet in your office — somewhere insulated from temperature swings and out of direct light. Avoid:

  • Garages — huge humidity and temperature swings
  • Basements — chronically damp unless you run a dehumidifier
  • Attics — too hot in summer, too cold in winter
  • On top of the printer — the printer's exhaust heat dries paper unevenly
  • Next to exterior walls in winter — condensation forms inside the ream

Keep the wrapper on as long as possible

Ream wrappers aren't just packaging — they're a moisture barrier. Most are wax-coated paper or thin plastic specifically designed to stabilize the paper inside. Once you tear the wrapper open, the paper is exposed and starts equilibrating with whatever the room conditions are.

If you only print occasionally, only open one ream at a time and seal partial reams in a zip-top bag with the air pressed out.

How to flatten paper that's already curled

If your paper has gone wavy but isn't visibly damp, you can usually rescue it:

  1. Remove the curled ream from the wrapper
  2. Place it on a flat surface with a heavy book or two on top
  3. Leave it in a dry room for 24–48 hours
  4. Test-print 5–10 sheets before loading the whole tray

If the paper feels actively damp, soft, or smells musty, throw it out. It will jam constantly and can stick to the printer's internal rollers, which is a bigger problem than the cost of a new ream.

Storing photo paper and specialty paper

Photo paper is much more sensitive than regular copy paper because of its coating. Three rules:

  • Always reseal the bag. Photo paper sleeves usually have a resealable opening for a reason.
  • Don't touch the printable side. Skin oils from a fingertip will leave a permanent mark after printing.
  • Store flat, never on edge. Photo paper bends easily and a single curl can stop it loading.

Iron-on transfer paper, sticker sheets and label sheets all behave the same way — they don't like humidity, and the adhesive can go gummy if it gets warm. Cool, flat, sealed.

How long does printer paper actually last?

Stored properly, a sealed ream of regular 20–24 lb paper is good essentially forever — we've used reams that were 5+ years old with no issues. Photo paper has a shorter shelf life because the coating can yellow; aim to use it within 1–2 years of opening the package.

Recommended paper that holds up well

If you want paper that's a bit more forgiving when storage isn't perfect:

FAQ

Should I refrigerate printer paper?

No. The temperature change when you take it out causes condensation, which is the exact problem you're trying to avoid.

Can I use a dehumidifier to dry out damp paper?

You can dry out the room, but the paper itself usually stays warped once it's been wet. Better to start fresh.

Why does paper smell weird sometimes?

If it smells musty, it has mold. Throw it out — don't run mold spores through your printer.

Looking for fresh, well-stored paper? Browse our printer paper collection or our photo paper collection.

About William Elward

Founder of Castle Ink, William Elward has 20 years experience in the printer industry. He's been featured on CNN Money, Yahoo, PC World, Computer World, and other top publications and frequently blogs about printers and ink cartridges. He's an expert at diagnosing printer issues and has published guides to fixing common printer issues across the internet. A graduate of Bryant University and Columbia's Sulzberger Executive Leadership Program, he's held various leadership positions at The College Board, Bankrate, Zocdoc, and Everyday Health. Follow him on Twitter at William Elward's Twitter Profile


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