Paper weights and finishes, explained
Paper is easier to choose when you start with what the piece needs to do. A menu gets handled. A folded brochure needs to open cleanly.
GSM measures weight. Points measure thickness.
GSM means grams per square metre: the weight of a sheet of paper with an area of one square metre. It is useful for comparing paper weights across different stock categories.
Point measurements describe thickness. One point is one thousandth of an inch. A 16-point stock is about 0.016 inches thick. Weight and thickness are related, but they are not interchangeable: papers with the same GSM can feel different.
Why pounds can be confusing
A paper’s pound rating comes from the weight of 500 sheets at a standard size for that paper category. The standard sheet size changes between categories, so 80 lb text and 80 lb cover are different stocks. Compare within the same category, or ask for GSM and a sample.
Coated or uncoated?
Coated papers have a treated surface that changes how ink sits on the sheet. Gloss and matte coatings give different appearances. Uncoated papers have a more natural paper feel and are often a useful starting point for pieces people will write on.
If someone needs to sign, stamp or write on the finished piece, tell us before choosing the stock and finish. The finished surface matters as much as the paper underneath.
Think about both sides
Opacity describes how much the paper blocks what is behind it. For two-sided work, low opacity can let text and images show through. A heavier sheet is not automatically the best answer; the paper itself and the amount of ink matter too.
Folds, handling and the finished size
Thicker stocks may need scoring before folding. Grain direction, coatings and heavy ink near a fold can also affect the result. Give us the finished size, whether it folds, and how people will use it.
Bring the job, not a guess at the paper.
Send the artwork, quantity and intended use. If you have an old piece you like, bring it along—we can use its feel and finish as a starting point.