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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-31 Origin: Site
When shopping for paper, one of the most confusing aspects is understanding how its weight is measured. You’ve likely seen terms like GSM or LB, but what do these actually mean? This paper weight guide will help clear up the confusion and assist you in choosing the right paper for your needs.
Paper weight refers to how heavy a sheet of paper is, which influences its feel, durability, and printing quality. Whether you’re printing documents, crafting, or designing professional materials, knowing the right paper weight ensures a better final result. Understanding the paper weight guide can significantly enhance your printing projects, ensuring you select the best option for your specific tasks.
Paper Weight Guide: Two common measurements are:
GSM (grams per square meter) – A metric unit measuring the weight of a 1m² sheet.
LBS (pounds) – Common in the U.S., it represents the weight of 500 sheets of paper in its base size, which differs depending on the type (bond, text, cover, etc.).
GSM offers a universal and consistent method for comparing paper across different types.
80–100 GSM – Standard office paper
120–170 GSM – Light cardstock (flyers, brochures)
200–300 GSM – Heavy cardstock (business cards, invitations)
300+ GSM – Extra-heavy paper for premium prints
Higher GSM means thicker, more durable sheets that resist bleed-through and support sharper ink results.
In the U.S., paper weight is measured in pounds, which can vary based on the paper’s category and original sheet size. This makes LBS less consistent across paper types.
20 lb Bond – Standard printer paper (~75 GSM)
24 lb Bond – Higher quality print paper (~90 GSM)
65 lb Cover – Lightweight cardstock (~175 GSM)
100 lb Cover – Premium heavy cardstock (~270 GSM)
Because LBS is tied to paper type and base size, it’s possible for two sheets with the same LBS to have different thicknesses. For example:
80 lb Text is thinner than 80 lb Cover.
GSM avoids this confusion by offering a consistent, direct measurement.
Thicker paper feels premium, handles ink better, and is ideal for business cards, brochures, and invitations.
Thinner paper is economical, flexible, and perfect for high-volume printing like internal reports.
Ink appearance improves with heavier papers—minimizing smudges and enhancing sharpness.
Here’s a quick guide for matching paper weight to your project:
| Purpose | Recommended Weight |
|---|---|
| Everyday printing | 20–24 lb Bond / 75–90 GSM |
| Professional documents | 28–32 lb Bond / 100–120 GSM |
| Brochures, flyers | 100–120 lb Text / 120–170 GSM |
| Invitations, greeting cards | 80–100 lb Cover / 220–300 GSM |
| Business cards | 100 lb Cover / 270+ GSM |
Text Paper – Lightweight, flexible, suitable for documents and letters.
Cardstock (Cover Paper) – Heavier and more rigid, ideal for projects needing a firm hold like postcards or business cards.
Paper charts help convert and compare GSM and LBS across paper types:
| Paper Type | GSM Equivalent | Common Uses |
| 20 lb Bond | ~75 GSM | Office printing |
| 24 lb Bond | ~90 GSM | Letters, business docs |
| 65 lb Cover | ~175 GSM | Flyers, postcards |
| 100 lb Cover | ~270 GSM | Business cards, invites |
Whether you’re a designer, business owner, or hobbyist, understanding GSM and LBS gives you the confidence to select paper that aligns with your purpose, printer, and design goals. From crafting invitations to printing professional documents, the right paper weight makes a noticeable difference.
