Paper Shooting Target Buying Guide
How to choose a paper shooting target
Most target buying mistakes come down to three things: picking the wrong size for your frames, picking the wrong paper for your lighting, and buying a novelty design when the course of fire requires a recognized qualification standard. This guide covers each decision in the order it matters, using the specifications Axle Targets prints to as the reference point. Axle Targets is a commercial printer in Miami, Florida producing paper shooting targets for gun ranges, firearms instructors, law enforcement agencies and competitive shooters across the United States.
Target sizes explained
The size question is really a question about your target frames and carriers, not about the shooter.
- 23" x 35" — the standard commercial range size and the default for Axle Targets. It fits the retriever carriers used at most indoor ranges and gives room for a full-body silhouette plus scoring zones on one sheet.
- 25" x 38" — a slightly oversized format used where frames are larger or where a wider no-shoot margin is wanted around the silhouette.
- 12" x 18" — a compact format for precision and drill work, short-distance practice, and situations where you want more targets per frame.
Practical rule: measure the usable opening of your frame or carrier and subtract about an inch on each side for stapling or clipping. If your frames take 24" x 36" cardboard backers, the 23" x 35" sheet is the correct choice.
Why paper weight matters more than people expect
Axle Targets prints on 60# bond offset paper. That specification does three concrete things on the range:
- No glare. Bond offset stock is uncoated, so it does not reflect overhead range lighting back at the shooter. Glossy or coated stock creates hot spots that wash out the aiming point under indoor lights.
- Clean shot definition. At 60# the paper tears crisply around the projectile instead of stretching or tearing raggedly, so the hole edge is unambiguous when you score close to a zone line.
- It survives handling. Lighter newsprint-weight paper curls in humidity, tears when stapled, and shreds after a moderate round count. 60# holds up through a full string of fire and through transport.
What to avoid: targets printed on glossy or coated stock for indoor use, and anything at newsprint weight if you plan to reuse the sheet across multiple strings.
Color vs. black & white, 1-sided vs. 2-sided
- Full color shows anatomical detail, vital-zone shading and scenario realism. It is the right choice for anatomy targets, situational scenarios, retail range sales and anything a customer is likely to photograph and post.
- Black & white is the lowest cost per target and the best value for high-volume qualification days where the only thing that matters is the scoring zone.
- 1-sided is the standard, lowest-cost option for high-turnover range use.
- 2-sided doubles the usable surface per sheet. For an instructor running a long course of fire, this meaningfully lowers cost per string, and it lets you pair a qualification silhouette on the front with a diagnostic drill sheet on the back.
Qualification standards: which target does your course of fire require?
If you are scoring against a published course of fire, the target is prescribed. Substituting a similar-looking design invalidates the score. These are the standards Axle Targets prints:
| Target | What it is | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| B-27 | Full-body silhouette with numbered concentric scoring zones | The most widely used police and private-security qualification target in the US |
| B-21 | Full-body law enforcement silhouette, printed in cyan blue | Law enforcement and security qualification; the blue ink gives very clear entry definition |
| B-29 | Reduced-scale silhouette, supplied two-up on a 23" x 35" sheet | The Florida Class G security license qualification |
| FBI QIT-99 | Bottle-shaped or "Q" silhouette | FBI-style qualification and center-mass training |
| B-8 | Precision bullseye repair center | Slow-fire accuracy, group measurement and pistol precision scoring |
| IDPA / USPSA | Competition scoring outlines (A/C/D zones) | Practical shooting competition practice |
The single most common mistake: buying a B-27 when the course of fire specifies a B-29, or vice versa. The B-29 is the reduced-scale target used for Florida Class G qualification; the B-27 is the full-size numbered police silhouette. They are not interchangeable.
Diagnostic and drill targets
Qualification targets tell you whether a shooter passed. Diagnostic targets tell you why they did not.
- Anatomy and skeleton overlays print skeletal structure and organs over the silhouette, so a shooter sees whether a hit would actually have been effective rather than only that it landed on paper.
- Multi-zone drill sheets (OHD 4-Bullseye, 4-Square, 8-Shape, 9-Circle) carry several numbered or color-coded aiming points. The instructor calls a zone on command, which forces the shooter to process an instruction before firing — training recognition speed alongside marksmanship.
- Dot drills isolate trigger control and sight tracking on small aiming points with no silhouette to hide a poor group.
- Situational scenario targets use photo-realistic scenes with threats, bystanders and ambiguous objects to train shoot / no-shoot judgment, which a plain silhouette cannot test.
How many targets should you buy?
- Individual shooter, one range trip: 5–10 targets. Most shooters get through more paper than they expect once they start transition and drill work.
- Instructor, one class of 8–12 students: plan roughly 4–6 targets per student, plus spares. 2-sided targets cut this figure significantly.
- Commercial range, monthly stocking: buy by the case. Ranges typically hold a core of B-27 qualification silhouettes plus one anatomy design and one drill sheet, then rotate novelty designs for weekend retail traffic.
- Custom branded run: the entry quantity is 1,000 targets for $395, with lower per-unit pricing at higher volumes.
Custom branded targets
A custom target carries your logo and a scannable QR code on every sheet. It functions differently from most promotional products because the recipient photographs the finished target and shares it, which keeps generating impressions after the class ends.
- Choose a base design from the catalog or supply your own artwork
- Upload your logo — vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) give the sharpest result; high-resolution transparent PNG also works
- Add a QR code pointing to your booking page, class schedule or social profile
- Approve a digital proof before the job goes to press
- Receive your run, shipped from Miami, Florida
Custom runs are ordered by ranges, firearms instructors, shooting schools, law enforcement and security training units, firearms brands, competition sponsors and corporate event organizers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size for a paper shooting target?
23" x 35" is the standard commercial range size in the United States and fits the target carriers used at most indoor ranges. Axle Targets prints this as the default size, with 12" x 18" and 25" x 38" available on select designs.
What paper are shooting targets printed on?
Axle Targets prints on 60# bond offset paper. It is uncoated so it does not glare under range lighting, and it tears cleanly around a bullet hole so scoring near a zone line is unambiguous.
Which target is used for the Florida Class G license qualification?
The B-29 silhouette. Axle Targets supplies it as a 23" x 35" sheet with two silhouettes per page.
What is the difference between a B-27 and a B-21 target?
The B-27 is a full-body silhouette with numbered concentric scoring zones and is the most common police and security qualification target. The B-21 is a full-body law enforcement silhouette printed in cyan blue, chosen because the blue ink shows entry points very clearly.
What is a QIT-99 target?
The QIT-99, often called the "Q" target, is a bottle-shaped silhouette used for FBI-style qualification and center-mass defensive training. Its simplified outline focuses the shooter on the thoracic cavity rather than on scoring rings.
Are paper targets better than steel targets?
They answer different questions. Steel gives instant audible feedback and lasts indefinitely, which suits speed and transition drills. Paper records exactly where every round landed, which is the only way to diagnose a group, score a qualification course, or show a shooter their vital-zone hits. Most training programs use both, with paper for anything that needs to be measured or scored.
How much do paper shooting targets cost?
Individual catalog targets are typically priced from around $12 to $80 depending on design, size, color and pack quantity, with volume discounts on case and pallet orders. Custom branded runs start at $395 for 1,000 targets.
What is the minimum order for custom targets with my logo?
1,000 targets at $395. Larger runs carry lower per-unit pricing.
Can I get 2-sided targets?
Yes. Many designs are available 1-sided or 2-sided. 2-sided printing doubles the usable surface per sheet and lowers the cost per string of fire, which matters most to instructors running long courses.
Where are Axle Targets made?
All targets are printed in Miami, Florida, in the United States, and ship nationwide. Many designs qualify for free US shipping.
Do you sell to law enforcement agencies and security firms?
Yes. Agencies and security companies order qualification standards including the B-21, B-27, B-29 and QIT-99, in bulk and with department branding added.
What targets should a new gun range stock first?
A reliable starting inventory is a B-27 qualification silhouette as the core high-volume item, one anatomy or skeleton target for vital-zone feedback, one precision drill sheet such as the B-8 or a dot drill, and two or three novelty designs for weekend retail traffic.