My recommendation is to go to
www.papermodelstore.com and look at the recent (after 1998) Maly Modelarz kits. They are reasonably cheap, intermediate skill level kits, with few if any major fit issues, and are an inexpensive way of developing paper modelling skills....with patience, they even make fairly attractive models. While you are on his site, you might spend some time going through the page after page of his "sale" section. Generally speaking, the Modelik kits are reasonably price and make a logical step up from Maly Modelarz. I'd avoid Halinski kits until you build up your skill set....they are up at the high end of the skill spectrum. I agree with
www.ecardmodels.com as probably the best estore going at the moment. Chris (the proprietor) is a memember of the group, and will always take the time to respond to pleas for advice from newbies. Marek's kits are usually pretty straightforward builds, though the instructions are minimal....you should have a little experience with the paper model stuff before taking one of them on. Now that Design Group Alpha has provided some instruction sheets (available as freebies on ecardmodels), I would also recommend them as an entry level project. As far as downloading/printing, the general impression I have from reading many strings is that the "best" printer to have is usually whatever printer the responder happens to own at the moment. Opinions are all over the place on the best paper. I've had best luck with Wasau card stock, obtainable at just about any office supply store. I'd recommend picking up a ream of 67 lb and of 110 lb index card stock (bright white). Use the 67 lb on small models and the 110 lb on large models. It also helps to have some good quality 24 lb bond paper on hand when really thin paper is needed. Hope this helps.