For optimum output in printing and packaging, appropriate paper weight must be selected. The paper’s thickness, weight, and sturdiness contribute significantly to the overall look of the product. Selecting the correct GMS paper thickness, whether for brochures, business cards, or packaging materials, is key.

Follow this guide to understand the thickness of the paper gram, how different GSM options range, and common errors associated with weight selection.

What is Paper Weight?

Grammage of a paper is conventionally referred to as the weight of the paper, which is measured per square meter. Paper weight is therefore expressed in GSM. Like every other material, the higher the GSM, the thicker and stronger the paper.

In case you are asking. ‘How thick is a piece of paper?’ that depends on GMS as well. For example:

• Lightweight 80 GSM: Ideal for office.
• 100 GSM: Medium weight for collating high-quality prints.
• Thick paper, 200+ GSM: Preferred for business cards and specialized packaging.
• Choosing the right grammage enhances the look and feel while ensuring a long-lasting product.

Why Choosing The Correct Stories “Grammage” is Important?

Selecting an appropriate grammage or gram per square meter for paper sheets is vital in the field of printing, packaging, and stationery. The grammage provides a long-lasting impact on the paper’s printing quality, durability, and charm. From business cards to packaging products and promotional materials, looking at the right “grammage guide” will ensure all results are set up at a professional level.

So, why paper thickness really does matter?

1. Print Quality – Better GSM Means No Smudges/Blurred Printing

A paper’s grammage or square meter will almost always determine how well it holds the ink. In the case of lower grammage papers, there is a risk of bleeding through or inking smudges, which, in turn, affects the overall quality of the impression created. Higher search engine markets paper types absorb ink properly and block blurring and spreading of the ink.

For example:

• 80 grams per square meter of paper is good enough for perfect documents and daily prints.
• 100 grams per square meter of paper is good enough for brochures and flyers because it prevents ink bleeding.
• Anything greater than 200 grams per square meter is perfect for printed business cards and invitations.

This paper-thickness GSM guide lets you print out results without any smudges.

2. Durability – Thicker paper lasts longer and manages wear and tear better

Paper lasts for a certain period, depending upon thickness. Low GSM paper is delicate and easily tears, while high GSM paper is strong and has more durability.

For instance:

• 80 GSM wrapping paper is great for decoration but is too thin to package boxes.
• 100 GSM papers are good for brochures, but they do not stand heavy ink.
• 300 GSM papers are best for business cards and product packaging since they don’t bend easily and can withstand significant damage.

Choosing paper that has GSM 100 or above ensures greater print sustainability and durability.

3. Professional Appearance- Quality paper feels high-end

How a product or brand is perceived is determined by the quality of paper used. A thick paper with a smooth or textured finish feels luxurious.

For instance:

• 100 GSM paper with textured finish for brochures looks better compared to standard 80 GSM.
• 300+ GSM paper is best for business cards as they feel solid and well-made.
• Low GSM paper bearing 80 GSM no longer feels flimsy and unprofessional.

Customers and clients notice paper quality instantly. Using the right paper thickness guide can greatly improve a brand’s image and credibility.

Real-Life Example: The Difference Between 80 GSM and 100 GSM Paper

Let’s say you received two brochures—one printed on 80 GSM paper and another on 100 GSM paper. The 80 GSM paper would feel thin and slightly transparent compared to the 100 GSM, which would feel thicker. The print on the latter would be more vibrant, along the paper would feel more professional in quality.

If you want to grab the attention of your audience, you will print all marketing material on 100 GSM or higher-grade paper.

How Does Paper Weight Affect Quality and Usage?

When measuring the weight of paper, GSM (grams per square meter) is used. Paper weight is very important in printing, packaging and the overall longevity of the document. The thickness of the paper determines the quality, durability, and cost of the paper. In order to have a polished final output with no excess costs, the right paper thickness guide needs to be followed.

Here is an analysis that details what different quality and thickness of paper results in:

1. Lightweight Paper (80 GSM) – Best for Office Work and Bulk Printing

Based on my experience, 80 GSM paper is the most commonplace and widely used type of paper when it comes to printing at home or in the office. Thin, flexible and lightweight, it’s perfect for bulk printing of text-focused documents.

Advantages of 80 GSM Paper:

• Cost-effective- Perfect for bulk printing without spending a lot.
• Easy to handle- Smoothly fed into printers and copiers.
• Good for everyday use- Best for invoices, reports, and other general office documents.

Disadvantages of 80 GSM Paper:

• Not durable- Easily tears and wrinkles.
• Ink can bleed through- Not great for high-resolution print jobs.
• Not suitable for double-sided printing- Will let the bleed from the print on one side be visible on the other side.

2. Medium-Weight Paper (100-150 GSM)- Best For Marketing Thin Papers

Medium-weight paper (generally ranging from 100 – 150 GSM) with a higher range than 80 GSM wrapping paper or normal printing paper is stronger and looks more professional. This category is ideal for tri-fold brochures, flyers, posters, and letterheads.

Advantages of 100-150 GSM Paper:

• More durable- Better resists tearing and creasing than thinner paper.
• Vibrant colour printing- Ink is well held, making sharper images.
• Professional feel- Feels premium when compared to normal printer paper.

Drawbacks of Medium-Weight Paper:

• Not ideal for bulk office printing because of its increased cost in comparison to 80 GSM.
• Business cards cannot be printed on these as they are not rigid enough. A thicker paper of 200+ GSM must be used for such uses.

3. Heavyweight Paper (200+ GSM) – Primarily For Use In Luxury Prints And Best Fits For Packs

Heavyweight paper (200 GSM and above) is thicker and more rigid compared to the other types of paper. This is usually utilized to make business cards, product packages, invitation cards, or other high-end marketing products.

Key Benefits of 200+ GSM Paper:

• Withstands moisture and tears better, making it highly durable.
• Provides a professional and luxurious look to the prints, making it one of the most desired choices.
• Keeps the content intact while also maintaining its shape, making it perfect for packs.

Limitations of Heavyweight Paper:

• Obviously, Contain A Higher Price. Heavyweight paper costs greatly more than its 80 GSM counterpart.
• New equipment for printers is mandatory. Home-grade printers often have issues with thick paper sheets.

The more paper, the easier it is for businesses to market themselves, and the specific paper type a business uses needs to complement their budget. That’s why 100 GSM is so popular. It’s cost-efficient while offering uniqueness and durability. It’s better than the 80 GSM wrapping paper as it is thicker and offers more durability. However, it isn’t as heavy as other papers, which makes it expensive.

Different Types of Paper and Their Grammage

1. Looking for Paper (Flyers, Brochures, Business Cards)

When it comes to marketing, 100 GSM paper works like a charm. However, flyers and brochures are best suited for 80 GSM paper. Business cards can only be matched when printed out with premium feeling papers, which are above 250 GSM.

2. Packing Paper (Boxes, Wrappers, Labels)

Anything above the 100 GSM metric grade should meet the requirement of lightweight boxes and should be easy to print on. Anything above 200 GSM is great for sturdier boxes as well as thicker paper wrappers.

3. Memorandum Paper (Letterheads, Envelopes, Notebooks)

Stationery has a more professional touch when it comes to drawing in clients with custom branding on the items, using 80-100 GSM for envelopes and letterheads to make them look more appealing.

4. Specialty Paper (Photo Paper, Art Paper, Textured Paper)

Everything sprang out great, like flowers in early spring, with high-quality photos looking perfect and art paper textured sheets looking durable and standing out to the eye look strong in the grading metric of 200+.

How to Choose the Right Paper Grammage for Your Product?

This is a consideration of quality, cost and durability. Unlike thinner papers, the weight of the intended paper will have different purposes. Following a paper thickness guide will help in making the right decision maximizing the print quality and the durability of the product.

Let’s explore the key factors to consider and the ideal GSM for different products.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Paper Grammage

1. Durability – Will the Paper Be Handled Often?

If your paper will be frequently touched, folded, or carried, you need higher GSM paper to ensure it lasts longer. A thin paper (below 100 GSM) is more prone to tearing and creasing, making it unsuitable for high-use materials like business cards or packaging.

Choosing the Right Type of Paper for Your Document

Let’s explore some of the most used types of documents and the ideal paper weight for them:

• 80 GSM paper is great for documents that stay in files.
• 100 GSM paper is higher for brochures that need some durability.
• 250+ gsm business card paper weight is ideal for high-quality cards and packages to endure handling.

2. Appearance – Do You Need a Premium Look?

The grade of paper used for printing will determine its overall professional look. Papers cast with thinner sheets will always feel mundane, whereas thicker papers tend to create a lasting impression.

Best Choice:

• 100 GSM Paper is an upgrade from the ordinary means of printing.
• 200+ GSM Paper is specially used for marketing materials where elevated branding is required.
• 300+ GSM Papers Box should only be used for setting a standard in product packaging along with premium business cards.

3. Cost – Higher GSM Costs More but Offers Better Quality

More expensive GMS papers are often more costly due to their level of thickness and durability. If restrictions on budget exist, the appropriate balance has to be maintained.

Best Choice:

• 80 GSM paper is ideal when bulk printing is required as it is cost-effective.
• The 150-100 GSM range strikes an ideal in-between affordability and quality.
• Premium products require the tempered 200+ GSM while servicing more pricey options.

Different Products, Different GSM

A consideration of paper thickness is crucial to ensure that your specific requirements are adequately met. Here’s a quick chart indicating paper thickness variations that serve different purposes.

Standard Printing – 80 GSM

• Suitable for office documents, reports, and other regular printing tasks
• Light and affordable
• Use Case: Printing invoices or school documents

Flyers and Brochures – 100-150 GSM

• Appropriate for marketing materials like brochures, posters, and flyers
• Offers greater sturdiness compared to standard 80 GSM paper
• Use Case: 100 GSM event flyers for better presentation

Business Cards – 250-400 GSM

• Use Case: Business, postcard, greeting card
• Should be durable and bend resistant
• Use Case: A high-end real estate agency printing business cards on 350 GSM paper

Gift Wrapping – 80 GSM Wrapping Paper

• Excellent for gift wrapping and lightweight packing
• Soft, pliable, and easy to fold
• Use Case: Holiday wrapping paper with 80 GSM would work perfectly

Luxury Packaging – 300+ GSM

• Suitable for premium packaging materials, rigid boxes, and notices
• Ultimate strength and durability
• Illustration: A jewellery brand uses 350 GSM packaging for a more elegant look.

Conclusion

Knowledge of paper grammar will steer you in the right direction. Use paper with 80 GSM for documents, 100 GSM for printing, or any other specific purpose that requires a higher range; using the right GSM ensures quality. This paper thickness chart will assist you in selecting the best option for your purpose.

You now understand how thick a sheet of paper is based on GSM. Make an effective choice and add value to your product!