Koala Glossy Inkjet Paper Review - Fast Drying 115gsm Photo Quality
Koala Glossy Thin Inkjet Paper 8.5x11 Inches 100 Sheets Compatible with Inkjet Printer Use DYE INK 115gsm
KOALA PAPER
- Fast Dry, No Smudging, No Smearing, Works with inkjet printers and must use DYE INK
- Smooth Glossy Finish, Single-side Printing, 8.5x11 inch Size, 100 Sheets, Thin 115gsm Paper, Around 6mil
- Perfect for DIY custom chip bags, flyers, brochures, party favors, candy wrappers, printing detailed graphics, and sharp text Newsletters, reports or special presentations containing photos or graphic
- Koala inkjet printer paper with a professional glossy inkjet quality and good ink absorption, help you to restore brillant colors to photos, crafts and other photo projects
Quick Verdict
Pros
- Fast dry formula minimises smudging even with heavy ink coverage
- Smooth glossy finish produces vibrant colours on photos and graphics
- Thin 115gsm weight works well for craft projects like chip bags and wrappers
- Standard 8.5x11 inch size fits most home and office printers
- Affordable 100-sheet pack suitable for small print runs
- Good ink absorption prevents bleeding on detailed text
Cons
- Requires dye ink specifically — pigment ink may not dry properly
- Thin stock can curl slightly in some printers with heavy paper trays
- Single-side only limits double-sided printing applications
- Not heavy enough for premium photo prints or framing
Quick Verdict
If you're hunting for a Koala glossy inkjet paper that handles dye ink without smearing, dries quickly, and costs less than premium photo stock — this 115gsm option is worth considering. It's not heavy enough for gallery-worthy prints, but for craft projects, flyers, and everyday photo printing, it delivers solid results. I'd score this a 4.2 out of 5 for the right use case.
What Is the Koala Glossy Inkjet Paper?
The Koala glossy inkjet paper is a thin, fast-drying printing stock designed for dye-based inks. It arrives in a resealable pack of 100 sheets in the standard 8.5x11 inch (letter) size, making it a practical fit for most home and office inkjet printers. At 115gsm — roughly 6mil thickness — it sits between standard copy paper and premium photo stock in terms of weight.
I grabbed this pack when I needed to print a batch of custom candy wrappers for my daughter's birthday party. The listing emphasises fast dry performance and vibrant colour reproduction, which sounded perfect for that quick-turnaround craft project. But I wanted to see how it handled a wider range of tasks before recommending it.
Key Features
- Fast-dry formula reduces smudging with dye inks
- Smooth glossy finish enhances colour vibrancy on photos and graphics
- Thin 115gsm stock is lightweight yet sturdy enough for folding and gluing
- Single-side printing only — back is uncoated
- Standard 8.5x11 inch size fits most consumer inkjet printers
- Compatible exclusively with dye-based inks (not pigment)
- 100-sheet pack with consistent sheet-to-sheet quality
Hands-On Review
I ran three separate print jobs over two weeks. First, I printed a set of full-colour flyers for a neighbourhood garage sale. The text came out razor-sharp — even small font sizes held up well — and the glossy coating gave the colours a subtle pop that copy paper simply can't match. By the time I finished feeding the last sheet through my HP ENVY, the first one was already dry enough to handle. That fast-dry claim checks out.
The second test was the candy wrapper project I mentioned earlier. I printed full-bleed designs with heavy ink coverage, cut them out, and folded them around small treat bags. Here's where the thin stock actually became an advantage — the paper folded cleanly without cracking, and the glossy face looked polished without feeling like overkill. The wrappers held their shape well once sealed with tape.
The third round was a set of photo-heavy newsletters. On a Tuesday evening, I printed six pages of mixed text and images, let them sit for two minutes, then stacked them. Zero smearing. The photos didn't have the depth you'd get from a 200gsm photo paper, but for newsletters that are read once and recycled, this is more than adequate.
What surprised me was the ink absorption. Some thin glossy papers tend to bleed when you push the ink coverage, but the Koala paper held fine lines and gradients better than expected. That said, the 115gsm weight does mean some show-through on single-page documents with dense backgrounds — something to keep in mind if you're printing anything double-sided.
Who Should Buy It?
This paper earns its spot in your printer when:
- You regularly print craft supplies like labels, wrappers, or favour tags and want a step up from copy paper
- You need fast turnarounds for flyers or brochures and can't wait around for ink to cure
- You're printing dye-based photos or graphics for projects that don't require heavy photo stock
- You want an affordable glossy paper for classroom or community group use
Skip this if you're after gallery-quality photo prints for framing — 115gsm simply doesn't have the weight or surface coating for that. Also skip it if you exclusively use pigment inks, because the results will disappoint. And if you need double-sided printing, look elsewhere: the back of every sheet is uncoated and won't absorb ink properly.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the Koala glossy inkjet paper doesn't quite fit, these alternatives are worth a look:
- HP Premium Photo Paper — Heavier 200gsm stock with superior photo depth, but costs roughly 3x more per sheet. Best for prints you want to keep.
- Epson Premium Glossy Paper — Excellent colour reproduction and works with both dye and some pigment inks. Heavier weight makes it less ideal for folding crafts.
- Canon Photo Paper Glossy — A solid mid-range option from a major brand, with reliable drying and a slightly thicker profile. Priced between budget and premium tiers.
FAQ
No. This paper is designed exclusively for dye ink. Pigment ink may not dry properly and could smear or smudge. Always use dye-based inks with this paper.
Final Verdict
The Koala glossy inkjet paper fills a specific niche: fast-drying, dye-ink-compatible glossy stock at a budget-friendly price point. It's not trying to replace premium photo paper, and it doesn't need to. For craft projects, flyers, and quick-turnaround printing tasks, it performs reliably without breaking the bank. The thin 115gsm profile is a feature, not a flaw — it folds beautifully and feeds smoothly in most printers. Just remember it needs dye ink and single-side use only. Will I keep using it? Yes — for my next craft night and any quick flyers I need before the weekend.