Paper GSM guide: which paper for which print job
What does GSM mean and which thickness should you choose? A simple guide to 70, 90, 100, 130, 170, 250 and 300 GSM paper for pamphlets, letterheads, calendars and cards.
GSM means grams per square metre: how much one square metre of the paper weighs. Higher GSM usually means thicker, stiffer paper. It is the single most important choice after size.
Quick guide
| GSM | Feels like | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Thin, like a notebook page | Single-colour pamphlets, bill books, posters in bulk |
| 90 to 100 | Good office paper | Pamphlets, letterheads, posters |
| 130 | Glossy magazine page | Brochures, catalogue pages, calendars |
| 170 | Thick glossy paper | Calendars, brochure covers, premium flyers |
| 220 to 250 | Light card | Desk calendars, folders, tags |
| 300 to 350 | Firm card | Visiting cards, invitation cards, packaging |
Art paper or maplitho?
Maplitho is uncoated paper: easy to write on and stamp, so it is used for letterheads, bill books and forms. Art paper is coated (gloss or matt), so colours and photos look sharper; it is used for brochures, calendars and premium flyers. You cannot write easily on gloss art paper with a ballpoint, so never choose it for forms.
Some practical tips
- Letterheads must go through office printers: stay between 80 and 100 GSM.
- Pamphlets for door-to-door distribution: 70 to 90 GSM keeps cost and weight down.
- Calendars that hang for a year: 130 GSM at least, 170 GSM if you can.
- Visiting cards: 300 GSM minimum; anything thinner feels cheap.