When looking for the right packaging you will have come across the term GSM. This is grams per square meter and it tends to be the standard global metric that is employed to measure the weight as well as density of paper along with paperboard. It lets one know how strong paper is. If the GSM number is higher, the paper will be heavier and more durable.

You need to know what is GSM paper if you want to get the right paper for your needs. Paper weight impacts its thickness therefore you need to know the GSM value to figure out the durability, opacity, as well as ideal use of the paper.

The following looks at what GSM means in paper measurement:

GSM figures

A brand needs to look at GSM figures when selecting what paper to get because this will determine whether it will have good-quality paper for its needs. The following looks at common GSM ranges along with their typical uses:

●     70-100 GSM: This is thin and lightweight paper. It is the standard one used for office printers, flyers, notebook pages, etc.

●     120-150 GSM: This is slightly thicker paper and it is used for making premium flyers, brochures, posters, etc.

●     200-300 GSM: This is stiff and heavy-duty paper that is often known as cardstock. It is used to make postcards, greeting cards, etc.

●     350+ GSM: This is heavy, rigid cardboard. It is used for making luxury packaging, wedding invitations, etc.

Printing results

The GSM range a brand chooses will determine the quality of printing as well. According to the values of the brand and the image it wants to convey to its consumer base, it will choose the right paper GSM for this.

Due to the fact that GSM measures paper weight, it impacts print results. Selecting the correct GSM directly impacts the feel as well as visual output of the prints. The following explains this further:

●     70-90 GSM: This is standard paper that is used for everyday copy paper. It can be employed for basic text documents, however the ink may bleed through going to the other side of the paper.

●     100-120 GSM: This is premium bond. It is thicker text paper that can be used for corporate letterheads and double-sided printing. It limits ghosting. It even feels more professional.

●     130-170 GSM: This is lightweight card. It is used for printing menus, posters, etc. It can hold color effectively without adding much bulk.

●     200-250 GSM: This is the mid-weight one that is used for photographs, magazine covers, etc. It gives amazing opacity and stops colors from soaking within the fibers.

●     300+ GSM: This is heavy cardstock. It is used for fine art prints, book covers, etc. Ink is able to sit properly on the surface. It gives striking contrast as well as sharpness without warping.

Generally thicker and higher GSM paper is able to absorb less ink. It gives one a smoother surface that is good for high-resolution graphics, embossing, foil stamping, etc.

Brand values

A brand will choose the right GSM meaning paper range that will promote its values to the consumer base. Luxury brands often employ a heavyweight 250 to 400 GSM paper stock. The heavy-duty and strong paper is able to immediately communicate quality and value to people letting them know something expensive and elegant is in the box.

The exact GSM differs depending on what is being packaged and what the brand wants to convey. However luxury businesses often choose paper that has a higher GSM range.

An eco-friendly and sustainable brand that wants to let people know about its values will choose paper that has a lower GSM than a luxury brand but paper that will still be strong at the same time.

Sustainable brands generally select between 60 GSM and 350 GSM paper. This will again depend on what the brand is packaging and the item's protection needs.

Whatever GSM range paper a brand chooses, it needs to ensure the packaging will be right for the product so people get it in excellent-condition. A major aim of packaging is to keep the item secure and if the box is not able to do this it will have failed.

Paper GSM is important when considering paper measurement as it will help a brand get the perfect packaging for its products. The packaging will be the right durability and a brand will be able to customize it according to what will be placed in the box. The product remains more secure and a brand promotes itself positively drawing people's attention to what it is selling.