At a glance<\/p>\n
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- GSM = grams per square metre, the weight of one A0 sheet of that stock<\/li>\n
- 80-100gsm: letterhead, copy paper, internal documents<\/li>\n
- 115-170gsm: flyers, leaflets, brochures<\/li>\n
- 170-250gsm: posters, large-format display, brochure covers<\/li>\n
- 300-400gsm: business cards, postcards, menus, invitations<\/li>\n
- Heavier = more rigid, more premium, higher cost per sheet<\/li>\n
- Finish (gloss vs matte) is a separate decision from weight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
What Does GSM Actually Mean?<\/h2>\n
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It is the weight, in grams, of a single sheet of paper cut to exactly one square metre (1,000mm x 1,000mm). You never print on a sheet that large, but the number gives you a universal way to compare thickness and substance across every paper type and format.<\/p>\n
A higher GSM means a heavier, thicker, more substantial sheet. A lower GSM means lighter and more flexible. The relationship between GSM and how a piece feels in your hand is almost perfectly predictable once you have a reference point.<\/p>\n
Your everyday reference points:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- A standard office printer sheet is 80gsm. Ubiquitous, functional, no-frills.<\/li>\n
- A takeaway menu you can fold without it creasing badly sits around 130-150gsm.<\/li>\n
- A business card that snaps cleanly when you bend it is typically 350-400gsm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Once you have those three benchmarks, every other GSM number makes intuitive sense.<\/p>\n
GSM vs thickness (and why they are not the same thing)<\/h3>\n
GSM measures weight, not physical thickness. Two papers at the same GSM can have different callipers (actual thickness in microns) depending on whether they are coated or uncoated, and whether the paper has been calendered (compressed under rollers). A 150gsm uncoated kraft stock may feel noticeably thicker than a 150gsm coated gloss because the coating compresses the fibres. For most print buyers, GSM is the right number to focus on; thickness in microns matters mainly for packaging and bookbinding.<\/p>\n
The GSM Chart: Every Weight and Where It Belongs<\/h2>\n
This is the centrepiece table. Find your GSM range on the left, then confirm your product on the right before ordering.<\/p>\n
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