All About Paper Sizes & Weight

There are two basic systems in use; the U.S. system which denotes the weight in pounds (#) or the Metric system which indicates the weight in grams / meter square (g/m² or gsm).

The U.S. System

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The Metric System

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PAPER WEIGHTS:

WE ARE LISTING THIS CONVENIENT ‘QUICK LIST’ OF WEIGHTS WHICH INCLUDES GRAMMAGE (GSM). AS YOU WILL NOTICE THE GSM IS A CONSISTENT NUMBER RUNNING SMALLER TO LARGER REGARDLESS OF THE THE PAPER BASIS. 

View our GSM paper weight chart which shows paper ranging Thinner to Thicker



Common mistake…. 
I have a great piece of 80lb cover, yet I’d like to get a paper that is a little bit sturdier (or thicker). I see the 90lb index and I assume that the new paper I’m ordering is going to be thicker and sturdier. As you can see by the chart below, the 90lb index will be slightly thinner and less sturdy compared to my 80lb cover. I am so glad that I made this realization before I have ordered my new paper. 

STANDARD BASIS WEIGHT
GRAMMAGE
NOTICE COMPARED GRAMMAGE
1) 20lb Bond/Writing/Ledger  75 gsm 1,5 same weight
2) 24lb Bond/Writing/Ledger  90 gsm 2,6 same weight
3) 28lb Bond/Writing/Ledger  105 gsm 3,7 same weight
4) 32lb Bond/Writing/Ledger  120 gsm 4,8 same weight
5) 50lb Book/Text/Offset  75 gsm 5,1 same weight
6) 60lb Book/Text/Offset 90 gsm 6,2 same weight
7) 70lb Book/Text/Offset 105 gsm 7,3 same weight
8) 80lb Book/Text/Offset 120 gsm 8,4 same weight
9) 100lb Text  150 gsm 9,10 similar weight
10) 67lb Bristol  145 gsm 10,9 similar weight
11) 90lb Index  165 gsm 11, 14 similar weight
12) 110lb Index  200 gsm 12, 15 similar weight
13) 140lb Index  255 gsm 13, 16 somewhat similar weight
14) 65lb Cover  175 gsm 14, 11 similar weight
15) 80lb Cover  215 gsm 15, 12 similar weight
16) 100lb Cover  270 gsm 16, 13 somewhat similar weight
17) 130lb Cover  350 gsm no other comparison on this list


Paper weights can be very confusing.  We would like to offer another very general understanding of paper weights below.  This is not technical, but we will associate common weights with everyday items you may come in contact with.  Here at paper-papers.com we deal with two basic weights, “TEXT WEIGHT” and “COVER/CARD WEIGHT“.  These two identifiers are probably the most important factors when you are purchasing a sheet of paper for your project.  TEXT WEIGHT comes in varying weights, but will have a touch like a ‘letterhead’ paper you may have in your office.  COVER WEIGHT (CARD WEIGHT) comes in varying weights, but will have a touch like your ‘business card’ or ‘post card’ you may have in your office.  Keeping these things in mind, we will list some common weights below.

TEXT WEIGHT:

20LB Text 
– typically used as all-purpose paper, for copying machines, etc.
24/60LB Text – typically used for laser/ink printing and letterheads
28/70LB Text– typically used for letterhead and other important documents
80LB Text – a bit heavier than letterhead paper
(and the weights continue to go up….but this is still ‘text weight’ paper….don’t let the similar weights confuse you with cardstock. Please see table above with additional comparison by using grammage.

COVER WEIGHT:
57LB Vellum Bristol – typically used as mass mailing postcard (light weight postcard)
67LB Vellum Bristol – typically used as postcards
65LB Cover – typically used as light weight business cards, greeting cards, post cards, etc.
90 LB Index – typically used as light weight business cards, door hangers, post cards, etc.
80LB Cover – typically used for business cards, etc.
89LB Cover – etc.
92LB Cover – etc.
105LB Cover – etc.
110LB Cover – etc.
(and the weights continue to go up, please see table above with additional comparison by using grammage)
Hopefully by now this is starting to make sense.  **Very important example, 80LB is listed in our text category and our cover category, but they are completely different paper. 

Envelopes are most commonly converted from the ‘text’ weight papers.  Weight is important for many reasons.  Thickness represents a nice quality and durability, but can also add to the weight of your mailing in which you may incur additional postage.  It is important to determine the purpose of your project and potential weight of the complete mailing.

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Paper Terms:

Art Paper: A common name for a coated paper stock with good reproductive qualities for offset printing.

Woodfree Paper: Paper which contains less than 10% mechanical pulp; Good for one and two color jobs, or jobs requiring a lower reproductive quality of full color images.

Lightweight Coated Paper: Strong and inexpensive paper made primarily of mechanically ground wood pulp rather than chemical pulp. Used primarily for Web Press production.

Paper Types:

Coated Paper – a coated paper stock has a surface sealant and often contains clay. which gives it a smooth finish. Coated papers are available in a gloss, silk (sometimes called satin) or matt finish and are used for projects requiring a fine finish, which is why coated paper is sometimes referred to as ‘art’ paper. Most of the leaflets you get through your letterbox, the glossy brochures you pick up from the travel agent and the fancy programmes you buy at concerts are printed onto coated paper.

Art-paper and Lightweight Coated Paper are Coated paper.

  • Gloss – a gloss coated paper has a high sheen, as those in a typical magazine.
  • Matte – a matte coated paper is a non-glossy, flat looking paper with very little sheen. Easier to read on.

Uncoated paper – doesn’t have a coating and is therefore not as smooth as coated paper. You will use uncoated paper in your laser printer and photocopier. Premium quality uncoated papers are used for business stationery.

Wood-free paper is uncoated paper.

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Paper Size:

Here the standard Chinese book size is 210x285mm,a little smaller than ISO A4 size 210x297mm.but it will save for your printing if choose our standard.

No problem go with ISO size as well.however, will push the printing cost 3%~10% higher!

We suggest you adjust your book size if with big quantity printing to save the cost!

  • We print onto standard sized paper.

If you specify an unusual size which doesn’t fit neatly within a standard sheet size, you will be paying for the paper which is cut off and thrown away.

Adjust the size of your document so that as many copies as possible within a standard sized sheet.

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Avenues To Help Your Business Excel

Design Services: There are definite advantages of having graphic designers in-house. Our graphic designers are extremly knowledgable about paper choices, special manufacturing techniques and binding processes.

Printing: We are proud to use the most modern equipment available. Not only will the work we print for you look terrific, but our printing capabilities will enable you to customize and target your customers better than ever before.

Publishing: Book publishing has undergone a revolution in the last ten years, and both the power and profit are in your hands! Over the years we’ve worked with many small publishers and self-publishers to publish books cost effectively.

Shipping: Production facilities running 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, more than one printing plant, utilizing state of the art equipment and great versatility of production, provides lead and turnaround times faster than our competitors.

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