Paper Types & Paper Thicknesses
Not all paper is the same: It gives the impression of quality or cheapness, provides brilliant colors or pale shades, feels smooth or rough. Not every type of paper is suitable for every print product. Whether flyers, wedding invitations, advertisement or office documents - the paper should fit to what is communicated with it. But how do you choose the right paper? When it comes to paper types, the most important technical term is grammage - the weight of the paper. The grammage is measured in g/m² (grams per square meter). The thicker a type of paper is, the heavier it is usually. Grammage plays an important role in the quality of a printjob.
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Typical Use for certain Paper Thicknesses
- 80 - 100 g/m²: typical printer and copier paper for the office, suitable for text documents, photocopies, faxes etc.
- 110 - 120 g/m²: higher-quality paper for business documents such as leaflets or official letters
- 130 - 170 g/m²: heavier paper, suitable for notices, flyers, posters and the inside pages of brochures
- 170 - 200 g/m²: thin cardboard paper, suitable as outer pages for brochures and magazines, for flyers printed on both sides and high-quality posters
- 200 - 250 g/m²: stronger cardboard paper, suitable for robust outer pages of brochures and magazines as well as for postcards
- 300 - 400 g/m²: thicker cardboard paper, ideal for business cards
- 400 g/m² and heavier: thick cardboard paper, suitable for high quality business cards
As a general rule one could say that a higher grammage reflects a higher quality. Thicker title="Paper Feed Issues">paper is more tear-resistant, feels more elegant in the hand and delivers high-quality printouts. The grammage of thr paper can be found in the item description or on the packaging of the paper. In addition to the grammage, each type of paper has a specific surface finish, which determines the appearance, transparency, texture and durability of the paper.
Grammage vs. Paper Thickness - What is the difference?
Interesting to know: Experts differentiate between grammage and paper thickness. In many cases, a higher grammage also means a higher thickness, but the thickness of a paper can also be determined by other factors. First of all it is important how the paper was produced. The processing method used in the paper mill can give the paper a higher density, so that the paper has a lower thickness. In addition, the amount of wood fibers (either groundwood pulp, which is obtained by mechanical processes, or cellulose, which is obtained by chemical processes) also plays a role. The more wood fibers are contained in a paper, the thicker the paper is. Certain substances can be used in paper production which could also influence the paper thickness. Paper manufacturers use substances extracted from plants to reduce the required amount of wood fibers or to achieve a special haptic or visual effect. These substances can be for example algae, coffee, olives, oranges or corn. As a result, two sheets of paper of the same grammage can have a different thicknesses, depending on the manufacturing process or the composition of the paper.
Humanity knows 3000 different kinds of Paper
Paper has been used by people for a long time. There are now about 3,000 different types of paper, which can be classified into four major groups:
- Paper type #1: paper which is made for printing, writing and copying
- Paper type #2: paper for packaging purposes (also cardboard)
- Paper type #3: hygiene paper (kitchen paper, handkerchiefs, toilet paper etc.)
- Paper type #4: graph and technical paper as well as special paper (such as cigarette paper)
Overview: Paper types mainly used for printing
Coated Paper
Coated paper is characterized by its smooth and glossy surface. The surface finish is achieved by using chemical additives. In addition to a glossy finish, coated paper is also available in a matt version. Coated paper is used for all print products where perfect color reproduction is important. For example, for brochures, posters, business cards or magazines.
Textured Paper
Textured paper is an uncoated kind of paper that impresses with a haptic surface. Whether hammered, embossed or ribbed - the structured surface gives the paper an elegant, unique style. Textured papers, for example, are used for invitations.
Natural Paper
Natural paper is a type of paper that is produced according to strict social standards and environmental criteria. The wood used to manufacture it is FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council), a certification of sustainable forestry.
Recycled paper
Recycled paper contains a minimum of 60 percent and a maximum of 100 percent recycled waste paper. This type of paper is often not pure white because the paper residues used were not completely white. For recycled paper to become white, it must be bleached. No chemicals that are harmful to the environment are used.
Special Paper
Special paper is produced for a specific intended use, feel or visual impact. This kind of paper is subject to special production steps (e.g. coating, lamination or other finishing methods).
Choosing a Paper Type
Our guide is intended to help you find the most suitable paper for each requirement. We have explained grammages as well as the most common types of paper. Several aspects play a role in the selection of the right paper. In many cases, the aim is to make the best possible impression on the recipient (e.g. invitations or advertisement). This results in the considerations of a higher paper thickness. But the cost of paper and printing also plays a role in many projects. Another consideration should also be taken into account: As environmental awareness grows, the use of paper as a resource is becoming increasingly important. Many business partners, customers and private individuals appreciate a conscious use of paper. Because many everyday tasks are now done digitally, whenever paper is used, the right paper should be chosen to leave a lasting impression.
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