Knowledge Centre
Paper: Weight, Stock & Surface
Choose the feel as well as the figure.
Weight Is Not Thickness
Gsm describes the mass of a square metre of paper. Two stocks with the same gsm can differ in thickness, stiffness and opacity. Thickness may be stated in microns or points, so a physical sample is useful when the feel matters.
Understanding lb
US basis weights depend on the paper category and its reference sheet size. A text weight and a cover weight cannot be compared by the number alone. To translate a specification, identify the stock category and use the manufacturer’s stated equivalent.
Surface and Purpose
Coated gloss and silk stocks handle images differently from uncoated paper. Writing, folding, opacity, reading comfort and the chosen printing process all matter. Coating supplied on the paper is distinct from lamination applied after printing.
Further Reading: thomasgroupprinting.com