Coloured Paper for Dyslexia and Visual Stress

Coloured paper helps people with dyslexia and visual stress read more comfortably by reducing the harsh black-on-white contrast that triggers glare, blur and word movement. Our tinted A4 and A3 paper comes in dyslexia-friendly pastel shades for SEND classrooms, home learning and everyday writing.

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Reading from bright white paper can be physically uncomfortable for many neurodivergent readers. Around 1 in 10 people are dyslexic according to the British Dyslexia Association, and a significant proportion also experience visual stress (also known as Meares-Irlen syndrome or scotopic sensitivity syndrome), where standard white paper appears to glare, shimmer or distort the text. A pastel-tinted background calms that contrast and lets the eye track print more easily.

Our coloured paper range covers A4 and A3 sizes in 80gsm and 120gsm weights, with pastel shades including blue, yellow, green, pink, cream, peach and salmon. The paper is compatible with inkjet and laser printers, photocopiers and standard handwriting use, so a SENCO can roll it out across worksheets, exam practice papers and pupil notebooks without changing equipment.

How does coloured paper help with dyslexia and visual stress?

Tinted paper reduces the contrast between print and page, which eases the visual processing load that many dyslexic and visually-stressed readers describe as "letters jumping" or "white rivers" running through the text. A pale yellow, cream or blue background lowers glare, slows pattern glare effects and lets the reader focus on decoding the words rather than fighting the page. The right colour varies between individuals, which is why the range covers several pastel options.

Which colour of paper is best for dyslexia?

There is no single best colour. Cream, pale yellow, pale blue and pale green are the most commonly recommended starting points for dyslexia and visual stress, but the right shade is the one that the individual reader finds most comfortable. We recommend trialling a sample of two or three colours, ideally alongside a coloured overlay assessment, before committing to a single tint for long-term use. Our coloured overlays range is the easiest way to identify a preferred shade.

What weight of coloured paper should I choose?

For everyday writing, photocopying and printing, 80gsm is the standard weight and matches typical school copier paper. For exam practice papers, double-sided printing, posters or display work where you do not want print bleeding through, 120gsm is a heavier, more durable option. Both weights are stocked in A4 and A3.

Coloured paper for SEND classrooms and schools

Many SENCOs and class teachers use tinted paper as a low-cost, low-friction reasonable adjustment for SEND pupils, sitting alongside reading rulers, coloured overlays and tinted exercise books. It supports access arrangements set out in the SEND Code of Practice and can be issued universally to a whole class without singling out individual pupils. We supply schools and academy trusts on 30-day credit terms, and bulk orders of A3 reams are common for departmental and exam-paper use. See our tinted exercise books and A3 exam paper ranges for the wider SEND stationery picture.

Coloured paper for home use

For parents, smaller 25 or 50-sheet packs of A4 coloured

Frequently asked questions

How does coloured paper help with dyslexia?

Coloured paper reduces the contrast between black print and a bright white background, which eases the visual processing load that many dyslexic readers find tiring. A pale tint lowers glare, calms pattern-glare effects and lets the eye track print more steadily. It does not treat dyslexia, but it can make day-to-day reading and writing more comfortable, particularly when paired with a coloured overlay or reading ruler.

What is the best colour paper for dyslexia?

There is no single best colour. Cream, pale yellow, pale blue and pale green are the most commonly recommended starting points, but the right shade is whichever one the individual reader finds most comfortable. Most specialists recommend trialling two or three colours, ideally alongside a coloured overlay assessment, before settling on one tint. Our pastel A4 and A3 ranges let you test the most common dyslexia-friendly shades.

Is coloured paper the same as tinted paper?

For SEND and dyslexia use, the two terms describe the same thing: paper with a pale background colour rather than bright white, intended to reduce glare and visual stress. "Tinted paper" tends to be used in clinical and educational settings, while "coloured paper" is the everyday term. Our coloured paper range is dyslexia-friendly tinted paper in pastel shades and standard A4 and A3 sizes.

Can coloured paper help with visual stress and Irlen's syndrome?

Yes. Visual stress, also known as Meares-Irlen syndrome or scotopic sensitivity syndrome, causes symptoms such as glare, blur, headaches and text appearing to move when reading from white paper. A pale tinted background reduces these symptoms for many readers. Coloured paper is most effective when used alongside a properly assessed colour preference - a coloured overlay assessment is the standard way to identify which tint works for an individual.

Do schools use coloured paper for SEND pupils?

Yes, tinted paper is widely used in SEND provision as a low-cost reasonable adjustment for pupils with dyslexia and visual stress. Many SENCOs issue coloured worksheets, exam practice papers or notebooks in a pupil's preferred colour, in line with access arrangements under the SEND Code of Practice. We supply schools and academy trusts on 30-day credit and stock A3 reams for departmental and exam-paper use.

What weight of coloured paper should I buy?

For everyday writing, photocopying and printing, 80gsm is the standard weight and matches typical school copier paper. For exam practice papers, double-sided printing or display work where you do not want print bleeding through, 120gsm is a heavier, more durable option. We stock both weights in A4 and A3, and smaller 25 or 50-sheet A4 packs are useful for trialling a colour at home before ordering a full ream.

What is the difference between coloured paper and coloured overlays?

Coloured paper is tinted at the source, so the page itself carries the colour and is used for writing, printing and notebooks. A coloured overlay is a thin transparent sheet placed over an existing white page to tint the text temporarily. Many dyslexic and visually-stressed readers use both - overlays for printed books and coloured paper for their own worksheets, exam papers and writing.