The colour of the paper in your printer probably isn’t something you think about. For some colleagues, though, it decides whether a printed document is comfortable to read or a source of headaches and lost concentration. Keeping lilac paper, and a couple of other pastel shades, next to the office printer is one of the cheapest adjustments you can make.
This article explains why coloured paper helps some people, what the evidence does and doesn’t say, and how to introduce it without turning it into a fuss.
The problem with bright white paper
White paper is the default in schools, universities and offices. Black text on bright white creates very high contrast, and under fluorescent lighting the glare can be harsh.
Some people experience what is often called visual stress, also known as Meares-Irlen syndrome. An NHS patient leaflet describes it as discomfort when reading, with text that can seem to blur, move or distort, along with sore eyes, headaches and frequently losing your place. Visual stress is often discussed alongside dyslexia, although the two are not the same thing and not every dyslexic person experiences it.
For people who do, reading a long printed report on white paper takes more effort than it should. That is a barrier created by the materials, not by the reader.
What the evidence says
It is worth being honest here. Research on coloured overlays and coloured paper is mixed. A 2014 review in Frontiers in Psychology called the question “at least controversial”, noting that some studies found benefits for dyslexic readers while others found none.
What is well established is that people’s responses to colour are individual. The NHS leaflet says the user is the best judge of whether a colour helps. The British Dyslexia Association’s style guidance advises dark, not black, text on a light, not white, background, and recognises that each person has their own most comfortable colours.
So coloured paper isn’t a cure for anything. It is a simple, low cost way of letting people choose what is comfortable for them, which is exactly what good inclusion looks like.
Why lilac?
Lilac is a popular choice because it softens contrast without making text hard to see, and many people find it calm and easy on the eyes. Cream, pale yellow and pale blue are also common preferences. If you can only stock one alternative, lilac or cream is a sensible start. If you can stock two or three, even better.
Who might find it useful
Coloured paper is a good example of a universal adjustment. It is introduced with particular people in mind but ends up helping a wider group, including:
- some dyslexic colleagues, who may find softer backgrounds reduce eye strain
- people who experience visual stress or are sensitive to glare
- anyone who finds bright white pages tiring to read for long periods
- anyone reading long documents under strong office lighting
Our page on dyslexia in the workplace covers other everyday adjustments that make a real difference.
How to introduce coloured paper at work
You don’t need a policy or a launch event. A few small steps are enough.
Put it next to the printers
Keep a ream of lilac paper, and ideally one or two other pastel shades, beside your main printers and copiers. Label it clearly so it is as easy to use as white paper. A simple sign works: “Coloured paper available here. Some people find it easier to read. Help yourself.”
Tell people why it’s there
A short note in your internal newsletter or team channel explains the change and opens the door to wider conversations about accessibility. Keep it light and practical.
Don’t make it about diagnosis
Nobody should have to ask for coloured paper or explain why they want it. When it is simply part of the office, like an adjustable chair, it becomes normal rather than medical. That matters for people who don’t have a formal diagnosis or don’t want to share one at work.
Think digitally too
Most reading now happens on screens. Let people change background colours in Word, Google Docs and PDF readers, and share templates with off white backgrounds. Our dyslexia styles guide explains how to make documents easier to read for everyone, and which font styles work best for people with dyslexia covers typefaces and spacing.
Ask your team
Because preferences differ, ask people what works. You may find someone prefers cream, or that printed handouts aren’t needed at all if documents are shared digitally in advance.
What it costs
Pastel printer paper is widely available from office suppliers and online retailers, usually for a few pounds more than standard white paper per ream. It is one of the least expensive reasonable adjustments you will ever make.
Small changes add up
Coloured paper on its own won’t make a workplace inclusive. What it does is show that you have thought about how different people read and work. That signal matters, and it tends to lead to the bigger changes: clearer documents, better meeting habits and managers who ask rather than assume. For more on how dyslexia has been understood over time, read understanding dyslexia, its history and role in modern society.
How Enna can help you build a dyslexia friendly workplace
If coloured paper has got you thinking about the rest of your environment, our reasonable adjustments: putting it into practice workshop helps managers and HR teams spot and fix everyday barriers like this one. Neurodiversity 101 is a good starting point for teams new to the subject.
For colleagues who need more tailored support, our workplace needs assessments identify the tools and changes that will help most. Book a call with Enna to talk about what would work for your organisation.
