Friday Print Tip: Why “80 lb” Paper Doesn’t Always Feel the Same

Ever ordered “80 lb” paper and been surprised that it felt way thinner or thicker than you expected?

You’re not alone – North American paper weights can be confusing.

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Here’s the short version:

• The “lb” is a basis weight – the weight of 500 sheets of a specific parent sheet size

• Different paper types use different parent sizes

• That means 80 lb text and 80 lb cover are not the same thing

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So “pounds” only make sense if you also know the paper type.

That’s where GSM (g/m²) comes in. It’s a consistent metric number: as GSM goes up, the paper gets heavier and usually feels thicker, no matter what kind of paper it is.

A simple way to think about it:

• Around 75–100 gsm – everyday office paper, letterheads

• Around 120–170 gsm – brochures, nicer flyers, folded pieces

• Around 200–350 gsm – postcards, business cards, small packaging

When you’re briefing a project or switching printers, try to:

1. Ask for the GSM, not just “lb”

2. Always specify the paper type (e.g. 100 lb cover, not just 100 lb)

3. Request real samples if “feel” is important

   
   

At CETTEC Printing, if you tell us how the piece will be used and what you want it to feel like, we’ll recommend a stock in GSM, translate it to the closest “lb” weight, and show you sample options before you commit.