Whether you’re making a resume for a job application, writing a business letter, drafting an agreement, or printing a brochure — most likely you are using bond paper. For many decades now, this type of paper has been used all over the world… in schools, offices, businesses, and even at home.
Bond paper comes in different weights, colors, and sizes. One of the most common types is short bond paper, which is widely used in the Philippines and other countries. In this article, we will discuss the various features and uses of short bond paper, as well as how to set this size in several word-processing software programs.
Uses of Short Bond Paper
The following are just some of the most common uses of short bond paper:
Brochures. This type of paper is just the right size for a two- or three-fold brochure. You can use it to design and feature relevant information about a topic.
Business Letters. Writing or printing a letter on short bond paper makes it look neat and professional. Add a logo or letterhead (if applicable), especially if you are sending out official business communication.
Contracts. Job contracts, tenancy agreements, purchase orders, and the like are often printed on short bond paper. The paper’s simple and clean design make it easy to read the important details mentioned in such documents.
Drawings. If you like to draw, sketch, or design blueprints, then the short bond paper is an ideal medium for using pencils, ballpoint pens, markers, and other art tools.
Forms. If you work in an office, you probably have different types of forms printed on short bond paper: application forms, attendance sheets, client feedback forms, financial documents, and many more.
Invitations. Creating an invitation — be it for a birthday, graduation, wedding, and other events — is easy when you have short bond paper. Using design software, you can come up with an amazing invitation that can be folded in half, in quarters, or other formats.
Invoices and Receipts. Need to print invoices and receipts for your business? The short bond paper is a top choice for making these documents.
Reports. Using short bond paper, you can print school reports, research papers, office reports, financial reports, product inventory, and much, much more.
Resume. As mentioned earlier, you can print your resume using short bond paper for a neat, clean, and professional look. Don’t forget to add a cover letter, which you can also print on short bond paper!
The above documents are typically printed on short bond paper that is white in color. However, there are other colors available, along with those containing decorative borders and backgrounds. These can be used for different purposes, such as writing personal letters as well as printing customized envelopes.
Short Bond Paper Size in Inches
What is the size of short bond paper in inches? It’s actually quite easy to remember: 8.5 x 11 inches. For comparison, it is three inches shorter than long bond paper, which is 8.5 x 14 inches. This type of paper is usually packed and sold in reams containing 500 sheets each, although smaller, “retail-sized” packs are also available in many stores.
Short Bond Paper Size in CM
When converted to centimeters, short bond paper measures exactly 21.59 x 27.94 centimeters (or 215.9 x 279.4 millimeters).
Is A4 Short Bond Paper?
Sometimes, people confuse short bond paper with A4 bond paper. These are not the same! A4 bond paper is longer than short bond paper by more than 1.5 centimeters, yet slightly narrower by over 0.5 centimeters. To compare:
A4 Bond Paper — 21.01 x 29.62 centimeters
Short Bond Paper — 21.59 x 27.94 centimeters
What is Short Bond Paper Size in Pixels?
As you can see, the size of short bond paper in centimeters or inches is pretty much clear and straightforward. However, it is a different matter when we convert the size into pixels, because this will depend on the resolution of an image or document.
In order to determine the size of short bond paper in terms of pixels, you’ll need to use this formula: Inches x Resolution = Pixels.
For example, let’s say that the resolution of an image is 72 PPI (pixels per inch). This is actually the standard resolution for web images. To compute the size of short bond paper for this image, we calculate:
8.5 inches x 72 PPI = 612 pixels
11 inches x 72 PPI = 792 pixels
Therefore, the short bond paper size is 612 x 792 pixels.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the ideal resolution for printing photographs is 300 PPI. In this case, the computation for short bond paper size is as follows:
8.5 inches x 300 PPI = 2,550 pixels
11 inches x 300 PPI = 3,300 pixels
Therefore, the short bond paper size is 612 x 792 pixels.
Once again, keep in mind that the size of short bond paper size in pixels would depend on the resolution of an image or document.
How to Set Short Bond Paper Size in Microsoft Word
Now that you have a better idea about the uses, features, and size of short bond paper in different units, let’s talk about how to set it in word-processing software programs, beginning with Microsoft Word.
Interestingly, the default paper size in Microsoft Word is “letter size,” which is actually the same as short bond paper. That’s right! Every time you open this program, the size of a new blank document is 8.5 x 11 inches — unless the default size had been previously changed beforehand.
If you happen to open Microsoft Word, and you notice that the paper size is not 8.5 x 11 inches, here’s how to set it to letter or short bond paper size:
- Click the “Layout” tab on the menu.
- Choose “Size.” A drop-down menu will appear onscreen, featuring the available paper sizes.
- Select “Letter” (215.9 x 279.4 millimeters).
- That’s it! The program is now set to short bond paper size.
NOTE: When setting short bond paper size on Microsoft Word, you don’t have to enter the specific measurements, since “letter” or short bond paper size is already included in the list of available (preset) paper sizes.
How to Set Short Bond Paper Size in Google Docs
Google Docs is another popular word-processing program used by many people worldwide. Similar to Microsoft Word, the default paper size in Google Docs is “letter” or short bond paper size.
However, if you notice that the paper size is not “letter” in Google Docs, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it:
- Open a new or existing document on Google Docs, then click “File.”
- Choose “Page Setup.” The Page Setup dialogue box will appear.
- Choose “Letter” (8.5 x 11 inches) on the Paper Size field.
- That’s it! The program is now set to short bond paper size.
NOTE: If you want to set “letter” or short bond paper as the default paper size for Google Docs, simply click “Set as Default” in the Page Setup dialogue box. Then, click “OK” so that the latest changes will apply.
Summary
Without a doubt, short bond paper will continue to be regarded as one of the standard paper sizes for a long, long time. Its simplicity, flexibility, and multiple uses make it a top choice among many people — in school, in the workplace, in various businesses, and at home, too.
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