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What is GSM in Paper? Everything You Need to Know
If you’ve ever heard the term GSM in relation to paper and wondered what exactly it means, you’re not alone. Paper GSM meaning – grams per square metre – is an essential concept in the world of printing and understanding it can make a world of difference to the quality of your projects. Whether you’re designing custom business cards, personalised business flyers, or premium wedding invitations, choosing the right GSM is key to achieving the look and feel you’ve been dreaming of.
But what does GSM for paper mean? Simply put, GSM measures the weight of a one-square-metre sheet of paper in grams. The higher the GSM, the heavier – and usually thicker – the paper. For example, 80 GSM printer paper feels lightweight and flexible, while 400 GSM card stock is sturdy and robust. While GSM isn’t a direct measurement of paper thickness, it often correlates; higher GSM papers tend to feel denser in hand.
Choosing the right GSM for your needs involves more than just picking something that “feels right” – it’s about creating a product that aligns with your brand and purpose. Whether you’re after lightweight paper for everyday flyer printing or luxurious, thick stock for premium bookmark printing projects, understanding the basics of paper weight in GSM will help you make an informed choice.
In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of GSM in paper meaning, its impact on your designs, and how to choose the perfect paper for your next project. By the end, you’ll know exactly what GSM is and why it matters, especially when it comes to creating products that stand ahead of the rest.
Let’s dive into the details and demystify the world of GSM in paper.
H2: Why Do Papers with the Same GSM Have Different Thicknesses?
It’s easy to assume that two papers with the same GSM would have identical thicknesses, but that’s not the case. GSM – grams per square metre – measures weight, not thickness. Paper thickness is influenced by its composition, texture, and properties.
Some papers are more compact, while others have air pockets that make them thicker without increasing their weight. For instance, textured or recycled papers often feel bulkier than silk or gloss papers, even if the GSM is exactly the same. This variance can be subtle, but it’s crucial if your print needs to fit specific envelopes or product packaging.
These distinctions between gloss, silk, and uncoated stock underline why GSM alone doesn’t determine the thickness of paper.
Measuring Paper Weight and Thickness
GSM isn’t the only way to evaluate paper weight and thickness. Two other widely used methods are:
1. Caliper Method: This approach measures paper thickness directly using a caliper (or micrometer). It provides a reading in increments of 1/1000 inch, often referred to as points (pt), particularly in the USA. For instance, paper measuring 0.008” is classified as 8-point paper. This method is ideal for precise measurements when exact thickness matters, such as for packaging inserts or custom-made playing cards.
2. Basis Weight (U.S. System): Primarily used in the United States, basis weight measures the weight of 500 uncut sheets of paper in their standard size. This can vary depending on:
For example, 80-pound cover stock is thicker than 80-pound bond paper because of differences in their standard sheet size and intended uses.
GSM vs Paper Thickness: What’s the Takeaway?
While GSM tells you the weight of the paper, thickness depends on its material properties. This distinction is important when choosing the right paper for your needs – whether you’re printing luxury invitations on textured card or sleek printed brochures on silk stock.
Understanding how GSM and thickness interact ensures your projects not only look great but also meet practical requirements like fitting snugly into an envelope or achieving a premium feel.
Why Does Paper Weight Matter?
Choosing the right paper weight GSM is about more than just aesthetics – it directly influences the durability, perception, and overall appearance of your printed materials. Whether you’re choosing the right paper for your printed business cards, custom greeting cards, or invitations, weight plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and impact of your project.
1.Durability: Strength that Lasts
Paper with a higher GSM value is normally more durable. Thicker paper withstands wear and tear better, making it ideal for materials that will be handled frequently or exposed to the elements.
For example, a business card printed on 250 GSM paper might start creasing after being shuffled around a few times in a wallet. On the other hand, a sturdier 400 GSM card can hold its shape and maintain a polished look for far longer. This durability ensures your materials last as long as you need them to.
2.Perception: Because First Impressions Count
Paper weight doesn’t just impact how something feels – it shapes the way it’s perceived. A flyer printed on lightweight paper might be functional, but it can feel flimsy and less professional. On the flip side, a heavier stock suggests quality, attention to detail, and a premium brand experience.
Think of it this way: receiving a thick, textured invitation feels more luxurious and special compared to a lightweight leaflet. When you’re printing something as personal as business cards or birthday invitations, the right paper GSM can make all the difference in how you’re remembered.
3. Appearance: More Than Meets the Eye
The visual appeal of your prints is enhanced by choosing the right paper weight. Heavier papers don’t crease or curl easily, maintaining their polished look over time. This is especially important for materials like bookmarks or greeting cards that are often displayed or kept for long periods.
Moreover, the weight of the paper impacts how colours and finishes are perceived. Vibrant designs printed on heavier, high-quality GSM paper appear more professional and striking than those printed on lighter stocks.
4. Versatility: Finding the Right Balance
While heavier papers offer durability and luxury, lighter options have their own advantages. Flyers, printed posters, and disposable materials often benefit from a lighter GSM paper, making them easier to handle and distribute in bulk. Choosing the correct paperweight GSM ensures your project balances functionality with appearance.
The Role of Paper Weight in Your Print’s Success
The GSM of paper isn’t just a number – it’s a measurement of how your printed materials will look, feel, and perform. By carefully selecting the right paper weight, you ensure your prints serve their intended purpose, stay durable over time, and take your brand perception to brand-new heights. From crisp foiled business cards to luxury wedding stationery, the right paperweight can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
GSM Paper Guide
There’s plenty to consider when choosing a GSM paper value in print. The product you want to print will be the main factor that influences your choice. Does your print need to fold? Do you want a laminate? Is your annual company meeting on the horizon and you need to impress your boss with some fancy foiled brochures?
Instead of attempting to guess which GSM for paper is the best choice, we’ve got a handy paper thickness GSM chart for you to refer to.
100gsm and 120gsm
100gsm and 120gsm are the lightest paperweights available to print with here at Aura Print. Being lightweight also makes these papers incredibly thin, allowing them to fit inside most office and home printers. This ability to be reprinted multiple times makes this group of paperweights our top choice for letterheads and compliment slips.
| Can 100gsm Be Laminated? | Can 100gsm Be Folded? | Can 100gsm Be Foiled? | Can 100gsm Be Reprinted? |
| No | Yes | No | Yes |
When deciding on any paper for a letterhead, we recommend ordering a sample pack to test. Some papers are simply not compatible with all office printers.
150gsm
Printing using 150gsm keeps costs down with a lighter and thinner paper stock. If you want to print a large number of flyers or disposable menus then this is the right paperweight for you. With 150gsm, you will have to sacrifice some of the finer finishes, so make sure that your prints don’t need to be dressed to impress before picking this paperweight.
| Can 150gsm Be Laminated? | Can 150gsm Be Folded? | Can 150gsm Be Foiled? | Can 150gsm Be Reprinted? |
| No | Yes | No | Yes |
170gsm
Posters are typically printed using 170gsm. This paperweight is slightly heavier, providing an extra bit of strength, which is useful if you’re planning to hang your posters up on the walls. As posters come in a variety of sizes, the right paperweight needs to be strong enough to support larger sizes without tearing. This makes 170gsm the best choice.
| Can 170gsm Be Laminated? | Can 170gsm Be Folded? | Can 170gsm Be Foiled? | Can 170gsm Be Reprinted? |
| No | Yes | No | No |
200gsm
200gsm rounds off the lighter end of the paperweight spectrum. What makes this paperweight special is its ability to be folded more than once. Whether you would like a half fold, tri-fold, or open gate fold, 200gsm is the right choice. All paperweights above 200gsm are too heavy to fold more than once and remain folded.
| Can 200gsm Be Laminated? | Can 200gsm Be Folded? | Can 200gsm Be Foiled? | Can 200gsm Be Reprinted? |
| No | Yes | No | No |
250gsm
From 250gsm and above, a new range of stellar finishes are now unlocked. From our in-house favourite soft touch laminate to shimmering metallic foiling, being able to customise your prints got a whole lot better. As 250gsm is still on the light to midweight end, you don’t have to worry about your prints being too bulky.
| Can 250gsm Be Laminated? | Can 250gsm Be Folded? | Can 250gsm Be Foiled? | Can 250gsm Be Reprinted? |
| Yes | Yes (One Fold Only) | Yes | No |
300gsm and 350gsm
Want to know what GSM is card? How about playing cards? Custom printed menus? Bookmarks? Brochure covers?
300gsm and 350gsm are the jack of all trades within the printing world. These paperweights can be found across a variety of different printed products; you’ve probably already interacted with these paperweights without even realising!
What makes this duo of paperweights so popular are the qualities they possess. Being a midweight card, these paperweights can fold with ease, whilst still holding that premium card appearance. These paperweights can be laminated, foiled, creased, perforated, and drilled – you name it, this paper can do it!
If you are ever unsure about which paperweight you should choose, 300gsm is always a safe choice.
| Can 300gsm Be Laminated? | Can 300gsm Be Folded? | Can 300gsm Be Foiled? | Can 300gsm Be Reprinted? |
| Yes | Yes (One Fold Only) | Yes | No |
400gsm
400gsm (otherwise known as the business card GSM) is, you’ve guessed it, our top pick for business cards. The heaviest of all the single-thickness papers, 400gsm will boost your business cards to be ahead of your competitors.
We all know that the appearance of your business cards plays a huge role in its success. So avoid cheap-looking business cards and go with a 400gsm paperweight. Your clients are bound to be impressed!
| Can 400gsm Be Laminated? | Can 400gsm Be Folded? | Can 400gsm Be Foiled? | Can 400gsm Be Reprinted? |
| Yes | Yes (One Fold Only) | Yes | No |
540gsm, 600gsm, and 700gsm
Double thick papers are made by gluing two sheets of paper together. This makes this group of paperweights twice the thickness of the next paperweight down. All our classic papers, as well as our eco-friendly and colorplan paper types, can be doubled up so there’s no limit to the choice.
What’s great about double thick papers are the edges. Not only are the edges so much thicker but they can also be painted with a range of colours – from neon green to metallic gold.
Our top picks for double thick paperweights are business cards and wedding invitations. If your designs will benefit from bulking up, then this is the GSM for you.
| Can 700gsm Be Laminated? | Can 700gsm Be Folded? | Can 700gsm Be Foiled? | Can 700gsm Be Reprinted? |
| Yes (Recommended) | No | Yes | No |
800gsm
Dwarfing all others beneath it, 800gsm Color Core is a triple thick paper. Yes, you heard that right, this GSM is made using three layers of paper! Both the top and bottom layers are white, allowing you to print your creative designs without any issues. The middle layer is made using coloured card stock to add a funky strip of colour around the edge of your prints.
800gsm is a hardy paper stock - being made from three layers sure does add some strength. Due to being so thick, a laminate is generally recommended to help protect the paper layers when they are guillotined.
This paperweight is very popular for business cards. With the coloured edge and incredible thickness, 800gsm cards stand out for all the right reasons.
| Can 800gsm Be Laminated? | Can 800gsm Be Folded? | Can 800gsm Be Foiled? | Can 800gsm Be Reprinted? |
| Yes (Recommended) | No | Yes | No |
Understanding Microns (Mic) and How They Compare to GSM
When talking about paper thickness GSM and paper weight GSM, you might come across the term “Mic”, which refers to microns. A micron is a unit of measurement for paper thickness, where 1 micron equals 1/1000th of a millimeter. For example, 250 mic equals 0.25mm.
Mic vs GSM: What’s the Difference?
While GSM measures the weight of paper, microns gauge its thickness. However, the two are not always directly linked. Paper with the same GSM can have varying thicknesses in microns, depending on factors like the type of fibres used or manufacturing processes like calendaring, which compresses fibres to create denser, thinner sheets without affecting the weight.
For instance, a textured or air-filled paper may feel bulkier and have a higher micron measurement than a compact paper of the same GSM value. This difference matters in applications like packaging, where durability and strength are essential, or for premium items like business cards, where both weight and thickness contribute to the perception of quality.
By understanding both GSM and microns, you can make more informed decisions when selecting the right stock for your printing needs, whether it’s a lightweight, flexible sheet or a thick, durable card.
Is Lower Paper Weight GSM More Sustainable?
When it comes to sustainability, choosing paper with a lower GSM can certainly be a more eco-friendly option. Paper with a lower weight per square meter allows you to use less overall material, which means less wood, energy, and water required in production. This can contribute to a lower environmental footprint.
For example, using lighter-weight papers such as 70gsm or 75gsm can be both an economical and environmentally conscious choice. These lighter papers require less wood pulp, which in turn means fewer trees are cut down, and less waste is produced during the manufacturing process. Producing lower GSM paper also typically uses less energy and water compared to heavier paper options.
Opting for lower paper thickness GSM not only reduces the overall paper usage but also makes logistics more sustainable. Lighter boxes are easier to transport, meaning they require less fuel for shipping, and files and archives with lighter GSM paper are easier to manage.
However, it’s important to note that while lighter GSM paper may be more sustainable in terms of material use, higher GSM papers tend to be thicker and more durable, which might be a better option for certain projects that require long-lasting, high-quality prints.
Another way to boost sustainability is by choosing carbon-balanced paper, which helps offset carbon emissions by supporting the purchase and protection of forests that would otherwise be cleared. This ensure that the environmental impact of paper production is minimised.
Understanding GSM and Its Impact on Your Paper Choice
In summery, understanding GSM paper is crucial for selecting the right paper for your projects. Whether you’re considering paper thickness GSM for business cards, custom postcards, or any other printed material, knowing the GSM definition paper helps you make more informed decisions when it really matters. From its impact on durability and appearance to its environmental benefits, the GSM of paper plays a significant role in determining the quality and feel of your prints.
