Paper Choice
Paper choice is an important aspect to any design project. However, due to the fact that most students are not mass producing their projects, it is very difficult to be able to use the variety of papers available to the professionals because you are not buying in bulk. There are a few paper companies and distribution sites that will sell in smaller quantities. Keep in mind you will not be able to print on every type of paper, unless you have an offset printing press available to you.

Inkjet Printers
Remember that inkjet printers act very differently than offset printing. An uncoated paper stock will absorb the ink and bleed, while a coated stock will often resist the inkjet ink all-together.

Laser Printers
Laser printers generally will not give you a very high-quality image, unless you have a high-end laser printer and have experimented with different papers specifically designed for laser printing. Keep in mind that most papers made for offset aren't the best to use with a laser printer.

Small Paper Quantities
French Paper Company
This paper mill not only utilizes amazing design from CSA Design for their marketing materials, they also have a huge variety of uncoated papers in small quantities.
frenchpaper.com

Glodan
A company that specifically sells small paper and envelope quantities for printers and designers.
www.paperpurchase.com/Glodan2

Paper Source
This is a great company that has a great variety of stationary items—especially good for branding and identity projects, as well as résumé materials.
www.paper-source.com/