What Is Paper Weight and Why Does It Matter?

Whether you’re buying printer paper or cardstock for business cards, you’ve probably seen various weight ratings, GSM numbers, or even words like “Cover” and “Index”. If you’re a first-time buyer or just don’t have much experience with buying paper and cardstock, then it’s probably quite confusing. Learn more about these paper weights below and how easy it can be!

These are ratings for the weight of the paper, something that most people don’t really consider when buying paper or card. However, as we’ll explain in this article, it’s actually extremely important regardless if you’re printing things for commercial use or just indulging in some arts and crafts projects.

Paper Weight and GSM

Depending on where you buy your paper from, you’ve probably seen a bunch of different ratings for different kinds of cardstock and paper. This is because the US uses a different system from the UK, and there are also international metrics that have attempted to standardize the entire system. Unfortunately, multiple systems are still in use and it can get quite confusing if you’re not experienced with all of these terms.

So let’s break them down.

For starters, the US system expresses weight in pounds, or lbs. You might also see words such as bond, text, cover, tag, and index. These are all different classifications of weight and it can get a little confusing at times. However, the main thing to focus on is the two groups of grades: “text” and “cover”.

“Text” is the name for lighter and thinner paper. It’s flexible, can be rolled, and is often used for things like letters, book pages, flyers, and other simple tasks.

“Cover” is the name of a heavier and thicker type of paper or cardstock. It’s more durable, is more rigid, and can often have a different type of texture due to its thickness. You’ll find this paper is commonly used for postcards, business cards, wedding invitations, book covers, and so on.

In the UK and other parts of the world, it’s simply expressed as “GSM” which stands for grams per square meter. The higher the GSM, the thicker the card is. This rating is also common to see in the US alongside the lbs weight rating.

You’ll probably see both of these metrics used to describe the weight and thickness of paper, and it’ll be crucial to understand these if you want to pick the right cardstock or paper for your projects.

What Weight Should I Use for My Project?

The paper and cardstock weight ratings cover a fairly wide spectrum, so let’s go through the most common ones and what their uses are. Since almost all paper and cardstock sold uses the GSM rating these days, here is a list of the different weights and the common uses for each.

60 – 80 GSM

The most common use for this paper weight is everyday printing for things like worksheets, documents, and papers for research purposes. It’s quite flimsy and you shouldn’t expect it to be very durable, but it’s perfect for regular printing use.

80 – 100 GSM

At this weight, the paper becomes a bit more durable but is still used for the same purposes as before, only with a bit more quality in mind. So you can expect to see it for professional documents, reports, and potentially even book and magazine pages.

100 – 130 GSM

This GSM is often considered as “card” and can be used for things like inexpensive business cards, postcards, greeting cards, and even signage that will be protected with an additional layer.

130 – 160 GSM

While still fairly light, this card is a bit more sturdy and can be used for more premium-feeling postcards, business cards, and greeting cards. It can also be used for book covers, brochures, and booklets.

160 – 220 GSM

Medium cardstock at this weight is suitable for DIY paper projects and promotional materials that need to be a little more sturdy. You can use these with no trouble for things like signage as well. Some companies also use this weight rating for restaurant menus.

220 – 250 GSM

Great for premium-feeling business cards and long-lasting promotional materials. You’ll also see it used for more affordable book and magazine covers. At this rating, basic office printers might have a bit of trouble printing correctly.

250 – 300 GSM

At this GSM, the cardstock is noticeably stiffer and more difficult to print on with a regular printer. However, it’s great for luxurious cards and invitations, and also commonly used for presentation and report covers.

300+ GSM

Anything above 300 GSM will typically be used for high-end promotional materials and signage. Since this card is quite thick, you’ll need to have specialized printers to use it effectively.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when picking paper for your projects. GSM matters a lot and will dictate the quality and feel of your finished product!

Learn More on Paper Weights

If you want to know more or see what colors are available in each weight, make sure to check out PaperPapers.com. They have a complete list of colors available in a variety of weights so you can shop from Thinner to Thicker weights! Or if you have any questions contact them and their staff is more than happy answer any question.