What is GSM in Paper? Your Complete Guide to Paper Thickness

For anyone involved or interested in printing and paper products, it is crucial to comprehend what GSM is. GSM means grams per square meter; it is an internationally accepted measuring tool that helps to define the thickness as well as the weight of the paper.

To provide a clear understanding of what GSM in paper is, how it affects the different types and aspects of print media, and why it is an important factor to take note of when looking for a printer, this blog will discuss extensively on this aspect of the paper.

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What is GSM?

The abbreviation GSM stands for Graphic Scale of Monochrome in the field of Paper. Another important material used for packing is paper, and its weight is defined in GSM, which stands for grams per square metre. It explains in detail what one is able to communicate with by sheer knowledge of how much one square meter of paper weighs.

The greater the GSM number, the more massive and often thicker the paper will be. For instance, a digital photo paper with a GSM of one hundred and sixty-five is denser and thus more suitable for the production of digital photos than a basic photocopy paper with a GSM of around sixty-five.

Closely related to this measurement is the assessment of the paper properties with the view of ascertaining their applicability to various forms of printing.

Why is GSM Important?

GSM serves significant importance across the multiple leading segments in the usage of printing and papers. It determines the texture, strength, and shades of the paper and how well the paper can hold ink. This knowledge of GSM gives the ability to choose the most appropriate paper type to serve the diverse purposes, be it professional printing, general office usage or artwork.

GSM and Paper Thickness

The calliper of paper is the thickness, and it has a relationship with the GSM of the developed paper. While GSM of higher ppm are thicker and of sturdier construction, this means they feel more like traditional paper and are assured to be durable.

Here’s a general guide to common GSM ranges and their typical uses:

35-55 GSM

A narrow, low-density paper, and usually high mass paper which has an ideal application in newspapers.

90-120 GSM

The paper can be used for normal letterheads, writing, printing, copying or other general office applications.

130-170 GSM

A thicker type of paper used in areas of posters and brochures is mostly referred to as card stock.

200-300 GSM

This is used in business cards, postcards, and covers, also referred to as the cardstock.

350-450 GSM

Standard grade R/C paper is super bright and excellent for use as packaging material, high-end brochures and folders, etc.

GSM and Paper Quality

These criteria include but are not limited to the GSM of the paper, as this aspect can significantly impact the quality of the printed material. Higher GSM papers hold more ink and do not smudge or blur as much as lower GSM papers, thus yielding clearer images on the paper’s surface.

This translates to higher print quality and less chances of such minor discrepancies as would be expected in randomly handed-out prints that were not polished to resemble professional work.

Understanding Paper Weight

It is, however, important to note that the universally used standard measurement is the GSM, but there are other measurements that might be used, especially in the US, such as the pound weight. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand the relationship between GSM and pound weight:

20 lb bond paper

It can be approximately 75 GSM.

24 lb bond paper

It must be about 90 GSM.

28 lb bond paper

This is about 105 GSM.

Weight also refers to the paper’s GSM, which plays a crucial role in determining the resulting quality of your printed documents. Typically, papers with high GSM values result in a smoother finish that makes the prints better defined and clearer due to the sharp definition possessed by papers.

This is especially true for photos, brochures and other similar flyer printouts, as they require high-quality prints.

Factors for Choosing the Right GSM

Selecting the appropriate GSM for your print project depends on several factors:

Purpose

First of all, their purpose must be identified, and that could be achieved by analysing the printed material. For instance, documents that are used daily would hardly require a high GSM and, therefore, would not make a good impression, while documents used in marketing would require a high GSM.

Durability

Think about how much wear and tear you are going to put them through and how strong the paper has to be. High GSM papers, as reviewed in this paper, are generally tougher and capable of withstanding wear and tear.

Cost

Higher papers from the various GSM classes tend to be more expensive. You must try to strike a balance between the amount of money needed to produce the printouts and the quality.

Printing Method

Make sure that the gsm that you use for your prints does not cause problems such as paper jamming on the equipment you are using.

For many years, paper standards in the print media have been an important aspect, and they have undergone specific changes from time to time. So, the guidelines regarding papers are to give you an insight into what type of paper should be used.

There are defined standards like ISO 536, which determine GSM and all other characteristics required in order to make it easier to compare similar paper products. Observing these standards ensures the accuracy and credibility of the printed media.

Conclusion

GSM controls the weight, thickness, and overall quality of the paper and it determines from the sturdiness and appearance of the paper all the way to the print quality of your work. Having considered the GSM with other paper types, one is in a better position to determine and obtain the best paper type that will suit his or her needs to the fullest to ensure the best-printed product is achieved.

You now know how to determine the GSM of your paper and what to expect when it comes to print quality for various types of documents, flyers, and artwork.

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