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The first types of commercially manufactured papers had surfaces made for handwriting (and later, typing). Along with legal documents and bank notes, one of its early uses was for corporate bonds; hence the name. Made from either cotton, chemical wood pulp, or a combination of the two, this grade of paper is made with superior strength for its weight. Its high surface strength withstands writing and erasing.

• Basic parent sheet size: 17 x 22.
• Weights: 13 through 40 pound (weight of 500 sheets of 17 x 22).
• Printing Side: Bonds are made primarily for printing on the felt side; quality may suffer if printed on the wire side. Many bonds are watermarked, so the location and orientation of the watermark must be taken into account when printing.
• Ratings: Premium bonds have 100% Cotton, 50% Cotton, or 25% Cotton content. Bonds with no cotton content are sulphite papers, and rated #1 (always watermarked), #4, and #5. There are no #2 or #3 bonds.
• Equivalent text weights to bond weights:
  40# book = 16# bond
  50# book = 20# bond
  60# book = 24# bond
  70# book = 28# bond
  80# book = 32# bond
  
• DP (Dual Purpose) Bond: Surface is suitable for either offset or photocopying.
• NIP (Non-Impact Printing) Laser Bond: 20- and 24-pound; extra smooth with higher moisture content for use in laser printers.
• Forms Bond: Lightweight bond made for business forms; available in 20# and 24# rolls for web presses and continuous forms; weights as light as 12# are available in some brands.
• Writing: Lighter weight than text paper. Similar to bond papers, writing papers have a softer surface. Use for letterheads, corporate identity programs, and office copies. Suitable for pen and ink, pencil, typewriter or printing. Strathmore, Classic Crest, and Crane's are example of popular writing paper systems; they all offer matching letterheads, envelopes and cover weights.