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Paper Weights: Everything You Need To Know

Man looking at paper

Bond weight paper, text weight paper, and cover weight paper: what’s the difference? What are points? And why is 44# bond paper the same thickness as 110# text paper?

If you’re not sure about the answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place. This article will demystify the topic of standard paper weight. We’ll explain what paper weight is, discuss the main kinds of paper weights, and clarify what to keep in mind for your next project.

Understanding Paper Weight

The basic term “paper weight” actually refers to the technical term “basis weight,” which means the weight of 500 pieces of standard size paper. This sounds simple, but it’s a little bit more complex than it might seem. This is because there are multiple standard sizes.

For example, a standard piece of bond paper is 22”x17”, while a standard piece of text paper is 38”x25”. Therefore, 500 pieces of text paper will weigh much more than 500 pieces of bond paper of the same thickness. This is why it’s important to specify the type of paper in addition to its weight.

Other Measurement Units

In the United States, we use paper basis weights, which we described above. However, given that paper has existed for thousands of years all around the world, other countries have developed other systems to measure paper weight.

Another standard paper weight measurement is grams per square meter (GSM). GSM is a simpler unit to understand, as the paper size does not play a role. The higher the GSM, the thicker the paper. GSM is typically used in countries outside of the United States.

An alternate paper measurement is points (abbreviated as pt). Points are not a measurement of paper weight. They are instead a measurement of paper thickness, in which one point is equal to 1/1000 of an inch. This means that 14 pt cover paper (otherwise known as 114# cover paper) is 14/1000 of an inch thick.

Types Of Paper Weight

In the US, we have four main types of paper weight: bond, text, index, and cover. Here’s what to know about each one.

  • Bond paper. Bond paper is also known as ledger paper, and its standard size is 22”x17”.
  • Text paper. Text paper standard size is 38”x25”. Light text papers, up to approximately 120# text weight can be a suitable printer paper weight. These can be a good copy paper weight for at-home printing.
  • Index paper. Index paper standard size is 30.5”x25.5”, making it more of a middle paper size.
  • Cover paper. Cover paper standard size is 26”x20”. Any cover paper weight or cardstock paper weight thicker than approximately 80# is too thick for at-home printers to handle, so it is best printed with professional printing companies.

Understanding how paper weights relate to each other can be tricky, so feel free to take a look at ZoePrint’s paper weight chart to see how the different paper weights compare.

Choosing The Right Paper Weight

When you’re getting ready to print any project, an important step is deciding on a paper weight. There are a few factors to consider, including the following.

  • Purpose. The appropriate paper thickness for your printing project will depend on what you’re printing. If you’re printing a formal document, it might make sense to go with a thicker paper that is appropriate for the gravity of the situation, whereas you can opt for a lighter paper for printing in-house documents.
  • Printer compatibility. As mentioned above, home and office printers can print papers up to approximately 80# cover paper. If you’re planning to use a paper thicker than that, opting for professional printing is the way to go.
  • Cost. It probably comes as no surprise that not all papers cost the same. In general, thicker papers cost more, although the difference may be small.
  • Durability. In general, thicker papers are sturdier. This is worth considering if you’re printing materials that recipients will want to keep for a longer period of time.

In addition, the best paper weight for your project depends to some extent on what kind of product you’re printing. Here are some recommended paper weights for common printed items.

  • Business cards. In order to make a great first impression and demonstrate your professionalism, it’s a good idea to print business cards on thicker stocks such as 14 pt or 16pt paper.
  • Brochures. Brochure paper weight can vary widely. For inexpensive brochures that won’t be used for a long time, feel free to opt for a paper as thin as 70# text paper. On the other hand, if you’re printing marketing materials and want to make a great impression, you might want to opt for a thicker paper such as 80# or 100# cover paper. These papers exemplify your dedication to your customers and the top-quality services you provide.
  • Flyers and posters. These items can also be a wide range of thicknesses. In general, the thicker the paper, the higher quality your flyer or poster will look. Anything from 70# text to 100# cover could work, so you have a lot of flexibility to choose the paper that’s best for your project.
  • Invitations and greeting cards. In general, thicker papers such as 80# or 100# cover are good options for invitations and cards. These papers are thicker writing surfaces that recipients will enjoy receiving.

If you’re not sure which paper weight is the best for your project, feel free to reach out to a printing company such as ZoePrint, who can help you make the right choice.

Get Started With The Print Professionals

Deciding on a paper weight is an important part of the printing process. Whether you’re starting to brainstorm your next print project or are ready to order, ZoePrint is here to help you every step of the way.

Our service-minded team loves talking all things print, and we’re excited to help you create print products that look great and are also great for your budget! Start printing today with our simple online ordering system, or ask us for a custom quote.