Magnetic papers

An inkjet printer. The paper is supplied in A4 and prints without any special settings, but feed the sheets one at a time and use the straightest paper path available, since the material is thicker and stiffer than ordinary paper. For a laser printer, use a copy shop or choose printable magnetic foil instead.

Glossy gives deeper colours and more contrast, which suits photographs. Matt does not reflect light, so text stays readable from any angle and it takes handwriting more easily. Both are stocked in white A4, so the decision is purely about whether the sheet will be looked at or read.

Yes, with ordinary scissors or a craft knife once the ink is dry, so a single A4 sheet becomes a set of fridge magnets, labels or small signs. Give the print a few minutes first, because inkjet ink on a coated surface smudges at the cut edge if you rush it.

Only to steel. A fridge door, a steel cabinet or a whiteboard is fine, but a painted plaster wall, wood or glass holds nothing. To display photos on a wall, prepare the surface with magnetic paint or an adhesive magnetic board first, and the sheets will then hold on their own.

Magnetic paper carries the print directly, which looks cleaner and suits photos, decoration and short-lived notices. A magnetic pocket holds an ordinary printed sheet behind a transparent front, which protects it from dirt and handling and lets you swap the contents without printing again. For documents in a workshop or warehouse, take the pocket.