What Are GSM Paper Types

 Printing Paper-The term “GSM” stands for “grams per square meter.”

What Are GSM Paper Types and How Are They Used?

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

ISO-A  (1-10)

• A6 – 105 x 148 mm, or 4.13 x 5.83 in – A standard size for postcards and common print size for photos.
• A4 – 210 x 297 mm, or 8.27 x 11.69 in – Used for letters, catalogues, magazines, and documents.
• A2 – 420 x 594 mm, or 16.54 x 23.39 in – Used for smaller posters, maps, or diagrams.

ISO-B  (1-10)poster sizing.

• B0 – 1000 x 1414 mm, or 39.37 x 55.67 in
• B2 – 500 x 707 mm, or 19.69 x 27.83 in
• B4 – 250 x 353 mm, or 9.84 x 13.90 in

ISO-C

size of envelopes that correspond to and fit the various A sizes of paper.

• C2 – 648 x 458 mm, or 25.51 x 18.03 in
• C4 – 324 x 229 mm, or 12.76 x 9.02 in
• C6 – 162 x 114 mm, or 6.38 x 4.49 in

The various paper types and their basic sheet sizes are listed below. 

Among each type of paper, there can be a whole range of weights/thicknesses, measured in pounds.

• Bond, ledger, and copy paper – Basic sheet size: 17 x 22 in – Bond paper is probably what you think of when you imagine paper. This is the most common type found in homes and offices.
• Cover stock – 20 x 26 in – Also known as cardstock, cover stock is often used for covers for paperback books.
• Index stock – 25.5 x 30.5 in – Index stock is naturally used for index cards.
• Bristol stock – 22.5 x 28.5 in – Bristol is a thicker, heavyweight paper often used for art. It’s sometimes called paperboard or Bristol board.
• Tag stock – 24 x 36 in – This thicker stock is often used for retail tags attached to items for sale, like clothing.
• Text, book, offset, and coated paper – 25 x 38 in – Text paper is slightly different from bond paper, as it’s usually coloured and is more textured. Book paper is the type used in printed books, as it holds up well to printing on both sides. This paper is also more textured than bond paper.