

ISO A Paper Sizes and MeasurementsĪn international standard for paper sizing is ISO A, which is measured in meters and millimeters. This is the stiffest, sturdiest paper and is used for business cards and invitations.Īlong with paper weight, you also need to make sure you order the correct size for your project or product.įor instance, most business cards come in a standard size, as do brochures, books, and business letters.
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Think movie posters hanging on a teenager’s bedroom walls or product posters hanging in store windows. 120-140 gsm – The weight of your average promotional poster.90-100 gsm – This is the weight of most types of household printer paper.It’s thick enough to draw on with pencil, but heavy ink or marker may bleed through. 75-90 gsm – You’ll find this weight of paper in sketchpads or notebooks.35-55 gsm – The lightest type of paper, ranging from translucent tracing paper to newsprint.Here’s a quick summary of the standard weights: OfficeXpress has a paper weight guide that’s helpful for figuring out what you need.

The weight determines what the paper is used for, and is often called the paper’s “grammage.” There are lots of various standards for GSM paper. What Are GSM Paper Types and How Are They Used? If you’re constantly ordering printed paper products, knowing the standard GSM for what you need is incredibly useful. As such, these are often printed on flimsier paper with a lighter GSM. They communicate information to whoever receives them, and then they’re usually thrown away. On the other hand, flyers announcing a sale or an event have a temporary use. As such, they need to be thicker, stiffer, and more durable than your average piece of paper. They’re often saved or even passed around between contacts, business partners, and potential customers. Here’s an example: Business cards are small but contain important information. Knowing the ideal GSM for your paper product can help you make a good decision regarding design and the way it will be used.

Why Does the Weight of Paper Matter?Īs you can probably guess, paper with a lighter weight is best suited for specific applications, while thicker, heavier paper is better for others. The first measurement refers to the length and width, while the second measurement refers to the weight and thickness. However, both still are considered 55 gsm paper, because that number represents a certain thickness or thinness.įor instance, the letter-size paper is A4, 55 gsm paper.

In addition, 55 gsm paper will not weigh that amount when it’s cut to letter-size or poster-size. The 400 gsm paper, meanwhile, will be heavy, thick, and much more durable. No matter the length or width the paper becomes, the weight measurement is always taken from the square meter sheet.įor example, paper with a weight of 55 gsm will be much, much lighter and thinner than paper weighing 400 gsm. The term “GSM” stands for “grams per square meter.”įor this standard, the weight of various types of paper is measured from a sample sheet cut to one square meter in size. This term can help you more precisely specify exactly what you want, whether you’re ordering business cards, flyers, posters, signs, stickers – or any other type of printed matter. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s time you did, especially if you’re constantly ordering printed products. You may have encountered this term during that process. Or, perhaps you ordered a printed product in bulk and had to iron out the nitty-gritty details of your purchase, including paper size and thickness. If you have ever ordered business cards, invitations, or some other printed paper product, you may have heard of the term “GSM.”
