If you have ever ordered printing, you have probably been asked a question that sounds simple but is not: what paper do you want? Then come the numbers. 80# text, 100# cover, 14 pt, 270 gsm. It is easy to feel lost.
Good news: paper weights follow a few simple rules. Once you know them, you can pick the right stock with confidence and avoid paying for paper you do not need, or choosing something that feels too flimsy for the job.
What does paper weight mean?
In the United States, paper is usually described by its basis weight. That is the weight in pounds of 500 sheets (one ream) of that paper at its standard, uncut size, called the basis size. The # symbol is shorthand for pounds, so 20# bond and 20 lb. bond mean the same thing.
Here is the catch: each category of paper has its own basis size. That is why two papers with the same number can feel completely different.
| Paper category | Basis size | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Bond (also writing, copy, ledger) | 17 x 22 in | Letterhead, copy paper, forms |
| Text and book (also offset) | 25 x 38 in | Flyers, brochures, booklet pages, catalogs |
| Cover (also called card stock) | 20 x 26 in | Business cards, postcards, booklet covers, rack cards |
Example: if 500 sheets of 17 x 22 bond paper weigh 20 pounds, that paper is 20# bond. If 500 sheets of 20 x 26 cover stock weigh 100 pounds, that is 100# cover.
Why is 80# cover thicker than 80# text?
This is the question that trips up most people. Cover stock is weighed on a smaller sheet (20 x 26) than text stock (25 x 38). If a ream of smaller sheets still weighs 80 pounds, each sheet has to be much heavier and thicker. So 80# cover is roughly twice as heavy as 80# text, even though the number is the same.
The rule of thumb: compare weights only within the same category. 100# text is heavier than 80# text. 100# cover is heavier than 80# cover. But you cannot compare a text number to a cover number directly.
The main paper categories
Bond paper
Bond is the everyday office paper in your copier and laser printer. Common weights are 20#, 24#, 28# and 32#. 20# is standard copy paper. 24# and up feel more substantial and work well for letterhead or anything you want to look a little more polished.
Text and book paper
Text and book papers are used for flyers, brochures, newsletters, and the inside pages of booklets and catalogs. They come coated (gloss, silk or matte, which makes photos look crisp) or uncoated (easy to write on, with a natural feel). Weights commonly run from about 60# to 100#. Very thin book papers, sometimes called Bible paper, are used where page count matters, like Bibles and reference books.
Cover paper
Cover stock is the heavy, stiff paper used for business cards, postcards, rack cards, presentation folders and booklet covers. Weights commonly run from about 60# to 130#. Heavier cover stock feels sturdier in the hand and holds up better in the mail.
GSM and points: two other ways to measure
You will also see paper described in two other ways:
- GSM (grams per square meter) is the metric system used in most of the world. Because it does not depend on a basis size, it lets you compare any two papers directly. Higher GSM means heavier paper.
- Points (pt) measure thickness, also called caliper. One point equals one thousandth of an inch, so a 14 pt card is 0.014 inches thick. Business cards and postcards are often described in points.
Here is a quick comparison of common weights. Figures are approximate and vary a little by paper mill and finish.
| U.S. weight | Approximate GSM |
|---|---|
| 20# bond | 75 gsm |
| 24# bond | 90 gsm |
| 60# text | 89 gsm |
| 80# text | 118 gsm |
| 100# text | 148 gsm |
| 80# cover | 216 gsm |
| 100# cover | 271 gsm |
| 130# cover | 352 gsm |
Notice that 20# bond and 50# to 60# text land in a similar range. Same paper weight class, different labels.
How to choose the right paper
- Flyers and handouts: a text weight usually works well and keeps costs reasonable.
- Brochures and tri-folds: a heavier text weight gives a quality feel and still folds cleanly.
- Booklets and catalogs: text weight inside, often with a cover stock on the outside so it holds its shape.
- Business cards, postcards and rack cards: cover stock, so they feel sturdy and survive wallets and mailboxes.
- Letterhead: a quality bond or writing paper that runs through office printers.
Paper says something about your business before anyone reads a word. A postcard on flimsy stock or a brochure that feels thin can make people think less of the company behind it. Heavier stock costs more, so the goal is to match the paper to the job, not to always pick the heaviest option.
How AC Graphix can help
Not sure which paper is right? That is a question we answer every day. As a family-owned shop that has been printing in Highland, Indiana for 69 years, we can show you real samples so you can feel the difference before you decide. See what we print on our printing page, or contact us and tell us about your project.
Frequently asked questions
Is 80 lb cover thicker than 80 lb text?
Yes. Cover stock is weighed on a smaller basis sheet (20 x 26 inches) than text stock (25 x 38 inches), so 80 lb cover is roughly twice as heavy as 80 lb text even though the number is the same.
What is the basis size of cover stock?
Cover stock is measured on a 20 x 26 inch basis sheet. Text and book papers use 25 x 38 inches, and bond papers use 17 x 22 inches.
What does pt mean on business cards?
Pt stands for points, a measure of thickness. One point is one thousandth of an inch, so a 14 pt card is about 0.014 inches thick.
What is GSM in paper?
GSM means grams per square meter. It is the metric way to weigh paper and lets you compare any two papers directly, since it does not depend on a basis size.
