8+ Types of Printer Paper GSM and Why is It Important to Know!!

Have you ever heard of GSM? Maybe you are familiar with this printer paper GSM related to document printing, especially if you are familiar with various printed products such as brochures, covers, magazines, invitations, books, etc.

Some of these products are printed in large quantities to meet customer demand. However, do you understand that we must consider some points before printing? The following is a discussion of these points in full!

What is Printer Paper GSM?

Printer paper usually has a thickness of 90-100 GSM and is known as home printing paper. With a thickness of only 1 millimeter, this Paper often sells in a pack containing about one ream or as many as 500 sheets.

Is GSM Plain Paper?

Paper thickness varies, but for photocopying purposes, it usually has a size ranging from 0.05-0.10 millimeters. This plain Paper is traditionally used for notebooks, and sketches, which allows the ink to be still seen.

What is Paper GSM?

GSM or Grams per Square Meter is an acronym. This measure is usually used to measure the weight of paper products. GSM is critical to consider when choosing Paper for a particular purpose. The length and width of the Paper it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that the weight is always taken from the square meter sheet.

The higher the GSM value of a paper, the thicker and heavier the Paper will be. Some reports also have special functions and use, such as Paper for printing or photocopying weighing 90-70 GSM, for printing 50 GSM newspapers, 300 GSM event invitations, business cards, folders, and 200 GSM book covers.

Why are GSM Papers So Important?

Here are some reasons why knowing the different GSM paper printers is essential.

1. Influence in Perceiving Business

The type of GSM paper will undoubtedly significantly affect the obtained print results. It will also affect how your business customers will see how knowledgeable you are about this type of Paper. There are many types of Paper with their qualities and functions to make your products stand out.

GSM paper also allows you to provide the best service for customers. For example, using 300GSM Paper will make your business image genuinely professional. This good use of Paper can be a great promotional tool to announce the quality of using materials in your business.

2. Know the GSM Type for Certain Print Products

While a larger GSM paper is excellent and makes your business look professional, choosing the type of GSM product to be produced is also important. For example, if you want to print a promotional flyer, then Paper that is more suitable for a pilot that is not too thick is more convenient.

300GSM paper is usually used for covers, invitations, and broader print products. Therefore, for flayer purposes, you can use lighter Paper such as GSM 200 paper which is certainly more lightweight and not too thick, so it is not heavy to carry.

3. Affect Printing Process

Only certain printers are capable of handling GSM paper of a certain thickness. Therefore, ensuring that the printer can print the product according to its needs may only be supported by certain types of printers that are compatible.

In addition, the use of ink type, drying time, and paper thickness must also be considered. It is so that the printed product is not damaged during production because it does not match the printer or the materials used.

How Various GSM Paper Weights?

Here are some types of GSM paperweights and their uses.

• 35-55 GSM

It is the lightest Paper and can be translucent. An example of the use of this Paper is for newsprint

• 75-90 GSM

It is a paper that is usually used for notebooks and sketchbooks. Its characteristics are light, easy to carry, and not too thick. This Paper is generally a budget-saving option to produce quality prints.

• 90-100 GSM

It is a household printer paper and is usually sold in packages of 500 sheets per pack.

• 120-140 GSM

It is a paper usually used to print shop promotion posters, films, and cheap flyers in public places such as streets and pubs. This Paper is quite sturdy but easy to fold and crush.

• 160-180 GSM

It is a paper often used to make official printed products that are light but not folded. This type of Paper is usually used to print good-quality leaflets and brochures.

• 200-300 GSM

It is a relatively thick paper but not too hard. This Paper is heavy and durable and does not fold easily.

• 300-400 GSM

It is the most essential and rigid Paper, often used for business cards. Most suitable if used to produce superior quality printed products.

• 400-600 GSM

It is a type of Paper that artists widely use to paint using watercolors and is rarely sold in general form per package, such as Paper under 400 GSM.

Typical GSM Paper Sizes You Can Choose

In addition to GSM paper weight, you should know the correct paper size for your print product. Below are some paper sizes that are commonly used or commonly used in the printing industry:

1. ISO A Size and Measurement

The international standard for paper size is ISO A, which is in meters and millimeters. This standard’s most oversized format is A0, measuring one square meter.

The size of A1 is the division of the size of A0, which is divided by two. The following are the types of ISO A paper sizes:

• The A6 measures 105 x 148 mm, or 13 x 5.83 inches – This size is standard for printing postcards and photos.
• A4 is 210 x 297 mm, or 27 x 11.69 inches – This size is usually used for printing letters, document files, catalogs, and magazines.
• A2 – has a size of 420 x 594 mm, or 54 x 23.39 inch – This size is usually used for printing posters, diagrams that are not too large, and maps.

2. ISO B . Paper Size and Measurement

The joint International standard for other paper dimensions is ISO B, often used for poster sizes. The following are the types of ISO B paper sizes:

• B0 – measures 1000 x 1414 mm, or 37 x 55.67 inches
• B2 – measures 500 x 707 mm, or 69 x 27.83 inches
• B4 – measures 250 x 353 mm, or 84 x 13.90 inches

It’s the same as ISO A paper size, and ISO B size paper also starts from B0 to B10.

3. ISO C . Paper Size and Measurement

ISO C paper size is another international standard, and this paper standard is usually used for envelopes. The following are the types of ISO C paper sizes:

• C2 – measures 648 x 458 mm, or 51 x 18.03 inches
• C4 – measures 324 x 229 mm, or 76 x 9.02 inches
• C6 – measures 162 x 114 mm, or 38 x 4.49 inches

How to Measure PaperWeight?

There are two common ways to measure Paper: calipers and basic weights. The following is a complete explanation of the two techniques.

1. Caliper Technique

Apart from using GSM measurements, the easiest way to measure paper weight is to use the Caliper Technique. This technique is a way of measuring the thickness of the Paper using a caliper or micrometer. With these two tools, you can find out the actual thickness of the Paper in thousandths of an inch increment. You can also indicate the consistency of this Paper with points. For example, 0.010-inch-thick Paper might also be called 10-point Paper.

2. Using Base Weights

In America, the basic weight technique has become the standard for measuring paper weight, usually done by weighing 500 sheets of Paper or what is commonly called a ream. Then it will use the resulting paperweight to categorize the Paper.

• One of the drawbacks of this method is that some papers are sized and have their base sheet, which can be a bit confusing. Here are some types of Paper that are usually measured using a base weight.
• Bond, ledger, and copy paper come in a primary sheet size: 17 x 22 in – most commonly found in homes and offices.
• The cover stock paper has a primary sheet size: of 20 x 26 in – usually used for book covers and paperbacks.
• Index stock paper has a primary sheet size: of 25.5 x 30.5 inches – is usually used for printing index cards.
• Bristol Stock Paper has a base sheet size: of 22.5 x 28.5 inches – because it is heavier, it is usually used for artistic purposes. This type of Paper is like cardboard.
• Tag stock paper has a primary sheet size: of 24 x 36 inches – due to its thickness, it is commonly used for retail labels, such as clothing.
• Text, book, layered and offset Paper, base sheet size: 25 x 38 inches – Unlike bond paper, this Paper is colored and textured.

What are the Types of Paper Based on the Finishing Results?

Choosing the type of Paper for printing purposes is one of the critical steps to creating a successful printing business. Using good Paper can help brand your business and simplify the production process.

The difference in the finishing results in the form of glossy, uncoated, or matte Paper lies in the number of layers on the Paper. For example, uncoated Paper has a percent coating of 0%, flat Paper 25%, glossy Paper 75%, and UV glossy paper has a percent coating of as much as 100%. The following further explains the four types of paper finishing results.

1. Uncoated Paper

Uncoated Paper or Paper that does not have any coating, as the name suggests, does not have a finishing layer or additional layer on the Paper. Since it has no coating, it does not have a glossy effect on the surface.

Therefore, this uncoated Paper is ideal if it is used to print documents or read text. It is also highly porous, best for writing, and has a fine finish. This Paper is usually used for book paper, black and white copies, and flyers with low budgets.

2. Matte Paper

This matte Paper has a coating layer of 25%, which makes it a little more contrasting and glossy on the surface. This Paper is undoubtedly different from uncoated Paper, which has no particular effect. On this matte Paper, the presentation of the Paper looks smoother and softer than glossy.

This flat paper sheet is excellent for perfecting printing results that don’t have too flashy colors. Therefore, this type of Paper is very suitable for printing calendars and journals.

3. Gloss Coated Paper

Gloss Coated Paper is 75% gloss-coated paper, so it can give more shine than matte Paper. The gloss-coated Paper produces a higher contrast and color gloss than uncoated and matte Paper. This coated glass coating is suitable for colorful images that create a positive impression.

The coating on this Coated gloss can also give a lovely finish. It is because the finishing results on this Paper can produce a professional look for marketing purposes or other types of prints that want to highlight the use of color. One example of this coated gloss is in printing children’s books, which are usually full color.

4. UV Gloss Coating

UV Gloss coating may rarely find because it is usually for custom orders. This coating is a premium that will make the printed image stand out. In addition, if you use this type of Paper, it will increase the contrast of the colors you use more prominently.

This UV Gloss coating can provide a much greater gloss than any other glossy paper found on the market. For this reason, UV Gloss is also often referred to as not Paper because it is a custom gloss that is added during the printing process so that the print results look more professional.

What are the Types of Paper Based on the Type of Fiber?

Here are some types of Paper based on the type of fiber:

1. Uncoated Paper 

Uncoated Paper is Paper that is free from wood fibers. An example is:

• HVS paper is one of the most durable papers because it is not easy to turn yellowish. For this Paper, several sizes are available, starting from type A, F, Q, and B.
• Book paper, this Paper is also commonly used to print novel pages. Usually beige or faded gray, making it more comfortable to use when reading.
• Bluish white Paper is usually used for book covers, business cards, agendas, and certificate printing.
• NCR paper, this Paper may be a little foreign name. But if you often see invoices, that’s the function of this Paper.

2. Coated Paper

Coated Paper is Paper that is coated and is usually used for artistic purposes. Here are some types of Coated Paper:

• Art paper is usually used to print catalogs, magazines, booklets, and calendars.
• C1S Paper, this Paper only has one coated side, while the other is not painted. This Paper is usually used for postcards, book covers, and presentation folders.
• Ivory paper, this Paper has two different sides, namely glossy and also the other side is not glossy, because it is not coated. This Paper is usually used for medicine packaging, cosmetic packaging boxes, and food.
• The duplex paper has a glossy side and a gray side. It is usually used for milk, food, and medicine boxes.
• Jasmine paper, this Paper is the most luxurious because both sides are glossy were usually used for invitations.

3. Recycled Paper.

This type of Paper is the result of recycling other types of Paper which are then processed into new kinds of Paper. Here are some examples of types of recycled Paper:

• Samson’s Paper, this Paper is white and brown. Usually, this Paper is used for envelopes and paper bags.
• Corrugated Paper, this Paper has a wavy texture and is usually used to wrap and protect an item.
• This craft paper, for example, is brown Paper which is very suitable for reducing environmental impact.

4. Watermarked Paper

This watermarked Paper is one of the luxury types of Paper because it is commonly used for important document security features and certificates of learning outcomes. Examples of this Paper are linen paper and Concorde paper.

Does GSM Paper Affect Document Print Quality?

Not consistently high GSM paper will be suitable and produce the best printing results. You should know that paying attention to the GSM of the Paper used will significantly affect the printing results because you must prioritize adjustments to the use of Paper, ink, and production needs to produce the best print quality.

This paperweight also greatly influences customer decisions when choosing your services again. For that, use GSM paper as needed to achieve this goal. Finally, select the GSM paper type with the best quality because there are so many variations.

How to Choose Printer Paper?

Here are some tips for choosing a paper that can adapt to your needs.

1. Know the purpose for which your product print

Do you plan to print flyers, booklets, magazines, business cards, and postcards? What color copy do you want? Is it black and white or full color? Such questions can help you determine the most suitable paperweight for your product printouts.

2. Know whether to use Cardstock or not

Considering the use of stock paper or non-stock Paper should be considered. It is because not all Paper is available immediately, and it must take more time to prepare it for use.

3. Glossy, Uncoated, or Matte?

Some papers do have different types of coatings. However, the articles are likely to have the same weight. Glossy Paper offers a weight of 60 pounds, while matte Paper does not. Uncoated Paper usually weighs 50-70 pounds but not as much as 80-100.

Conclusion

Buying a GSM paper printer is indeed the right choice to meet your business print production needs. But before that, it is essential to confirm the design process because it will affect the quality of the results.

Once again, the choice of printer paper GSM is closely related to the quality of the print you will produce. Hopefully, this article can help you understand a GSM paper. It may be helpful too!