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gsm is grams per square metre, which tells you almost nothing until someone translates it. Here is the translation, stock by stock, as we use them.
gsm means grams per square metre: literally how much one square metre of the paper weighs. Higher number, heavier and stiffer sheet. That is the whole theory. What matters is what each weight feels like in the hand, so here is the range we stock, translated.
| Weight | Feels like | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 80gsm | Standard copier paper | Documents, drafts, plan printing, anything in volume |
| 100-120gsm | Quality letter paper | Letterheads, booklets people write in, smart documents |
| 130gsm | A glossy magazine page | Flyers and leaflets, our standard flyer stock |
| 170-200gsm | A thin card, like a magazine cover | Posters that need presence, brochure covers, art prints |
| 250gsm | A greetings card | Postcards, invitations, menu covers |
| 300-350gsm | A proper business card | Business cards, wedding invitations, swing tags |
Weight is half the choice. The surface is the other half.
Too light for the job. A 130gsm "poster" in a breezy doorway curls within a day. Going one weight up usually costs pennies per copy and looks twice as professional.
Too heavy for the job. A 350gsm flyer feels luxurious and doubles your cost for something most people hold for four seconds. Spend the difference on better design or more copies.
Unsure? Tell us what the piece needs to do and we will pick the stock with you. That conversation is free and it is honestly our favourite part of the job.
Ask about paper when you order and we will advise on the right stock for the job.