{"id":920,"date":"2018-08-17T22:44:36","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T21:44:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.banana-print.co.uk\/blog\/?p=920"},"modified":"2024-06-14T12:33:42","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T11:33:42","slug":"what-is-gsm-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.banana-print.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-gsm-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is GSM Paper? Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have ever ordered business cards, invitations, or some other printed paper product, you may have heard of the term \u201cGSM.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

You may have encountered this term during that process.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t heard of it, it\u2019s time you did, especially if you\u2019re constantly ordering printed products.<\/p>\n

This term can help you more precisely specify exactly what you want, whether you\u2019re ordering business cards, flyers, posters, signs, stickers \u2013 or any other type of printed matter.<\/p>\n

So, what is GSM paper?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know.<\/p>\n

What Is GSM Paper?<\/h2>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

The term \u201cGSM\u201d stands for \u201cgrams per square meter.\u201d<\/p>\n

For this standard, the weight of various types of paper is measured from a sample sheet cut to one square meter in size. No matter the length or width the paper becomes, the weight measurement is always taken from the square meter sheet.<\/p>\n

For example, paper with a weight of 55 gsm will be much, much lighter and thinner than paper weighing 400 gsm. The 400 gsm paper, meanwhile, will be heavy, thick, and much more durable.<\/p>\n

In addition, 55 gsm paper will not weigh that amount when it\u2019s cut to letter-size or poster-size. However, both still are considered 55 gsm paper, because that number represents a certain thickness or thinness.<\/p>\n

For instance, the letter-size paper is A4, 55 gsm paper. The first measurement refers to the length and width, while the second measurement refers to the weight and thickness.<\/p>\n

Why Does the Weight of Paper Matter?<\/h2>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

As you can probably guess, paper with a lighter weight is best suited for specific applications, while thicker, heavier paper is better for others. Knowing the ideal GSM for your paper product can help you make a good decision regarding design and the way it will be used.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example: Business cards are small but contain important information. They\u2019re often saved or even passed around between contacts, business partners, and potential customers. As such, they need to be thicker, stiffer, and more durable than your average piece of paper.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, flyers announcing a sale or an event have a temporary use. They communicate information to whoever receives them, and then they\u2019re usually thrown away. As such, these are often printed on flimsier paper with a lighter GSM.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re constantly ordering printed paper products, knowing the standard GSM for what you need is incredibly useful.<\/p>\n

What Are GSM Paper Types and How Are They Used?<\/h2>\n

There are lots of various standards for GSM paper. The weight determines what the paper is used for, and is often called the paper\u2019s \u201cgrammage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

OfficeXpress has a paper weight guide<\/a> that\u2019s helpful for figuring out what you need. Here\u2019s a quick summary of the standard weights:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. 35-55 gsm<\/strong> \u2013 The lightest type of paper, ranging from translucent tracing paper to newsprint.<\/li>\n
  2. 75-90 gsm<\/strong> \u2013 You\u2019ll find this weight of paper in sketchpads or notebooks. It\u2019s thick enough to draw on with pencil, but heavy ink or marker may bleed through.<\/li>\n
  3. 90-100 gsm<\/strong> \u2013 This is the weight of most types of household printer paper.<\/li>\n
  4. 120-140 gsm<\/strong> \u2013 The weight of your average promotional poster. Think movie posters hanging on a teenager\u2019s bedroom walls or product posters hanging in store windows.<\/li>\n
  5. 210-300 gsm<\/strong> \u2013 This thicker type of paper is stiffer but still bendable. You\u2019ll see it used for some magazine covers and higher-quality flyers. This is also the weight of most paper used for watercolors or painting.<\/li>\n
  6. 350-450 gsm<\/strong> \u2013 The highest GSM paper is pretty much cardstock. This is the stiffest, sturdiest paper and is used for business cards and invitations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Common GSM Paper Sizes and Measurements<\/h2>\n

    Along with paper weight, you also need to make sure you order the correct size for your project or product.<\/p>\n

    For instance, most business cards come in a standard size, as do brochures, books, and business letters.<\/p>\n

    ISO A Paper Sizes and Measurements<\/h3>\n

    An international standard for paper sizing is ISO A, which is measured in meters and millimeters.<\/p>\n

    In this system, the largest format, A0, is one square meter in size.<\/p>\n

    \"What<\/p>\n

    Each step down in size is accomplished by taking the previous size and cutting it in half along the widest dimension.<\/p>\n

    For example, the next size down from A0 is A1. The size of A1 is determined by cutting A0 in half.<\/p>\n

    This table of paper sizes breaks down this system from A0, the largest, to A10, the smallest. Here are a few of the most recognizable standard sizes:<\/p>\n

    A6 \u2013 105 x 148 mm, or 4.13 x 5.83 in \u2013 A standard size for postcards and a common print size for photos.
    \nA4 \u2013 210 x 297 mm, or 8.27 x 11.69 in \u2013 Used for letters, catalogs, magazines, and documents.
    \nA2 \u2013 420 x 594 mm, or 16.54 x 23.39 in \u2013 Used for smaller posters, maps, or diagrams.<\/p>\n

    ISO B Paper Sizes and Measurements<\/h3>\n

    Another common global standard for paper dimensions is ISO B. This standard is used mainly for poster sizing.<\/p>\n

    \"What<\/p>\n

    Here are a few examples of sizes and measurements, starting with B0, the largest:<\/p>\n