It's important to know the right paper GSM for your printing needs
to get the best results and avoid printing problems
you didn't expect.
If you work in advertising, the paper you use can help
make a good first impression on your customers
before they even start reading the message.
If you own a business and don't know what GSM paper is,
you're in the right place.
This guide will explain what GSM means and why the thickness
of your paper is so important to the overall quality
of your prints.
What does GSM mean?
First, let's talk about what GSM is.
GSM stands for "Grams per Square Meter," which is another name for it.
It is used to measure how heavy or light a piece of paper is,
and you shouldn't ignore it when choosing paper
for any purpose.
GSM is easiest to understand this way: the higher a paper's GSM,
the thicker and heavier it will be.
A 350gsm paper will be thicker and heavier
than an 80gsm paper, for example.
Most office papers used in printers or copiers have weights between 70 and 90 gsm.
These papers are thin and very fragile.
Most newspapers use about 50 GSM. About 200 gsm is used for business cards,
book covers, and folders, while 300 gsm is used for
event invitations.
What's so important about GSM?
GSM is the most common way to measure the weight of paper,
so it's important that you know what it is and how to use it.
How your customers see your business is affected by GSM
No matter if you print business cards, flyers, custom packaging,
or something else, the paper GSM you choose will have a big effect
on how your customers see your business.
Paper GSM has a big effect on how your printed materials look and feel.
You can choose from a wide range of paper weights,
and each has its own qualities that will help your products stand out.
Paper GSM also lets you tell your customers the right thing.
Using paper with a higher GSM, like 300 GSM paper,
gives the impression that your business is legitimate
and professional.
Choose a paper GSM that best represents your company if you want to show
that you have great products and great service.
If you want to show that your promotional materials are of high quality,
use the right papers.
There are different types of paper weights
that work better for different tasks
Even though thicker paper makes a stronger statement,
that doesn't mean you should always print your materials
on thicker paper.
There are times when it's better, cheaper, and more useful
to use thin papers instead of thick ones.
Let's use flyers to show how this works.
Flyers for promotions are usually made in large quantities
and sent all over the country.
You can make sure that your promotions last and look professional
by using 300-gsm paper.
But it will be hard to carry around a lot of heavy flyers,
and it will be hard for your customers to store them.
In these situations, papers with a lower gsm are better.
GSM affects the way you print
Not all printers can handle all paper GSM, so make sure your printer
can handle the paper GSM you want to use.
For printing at home, most small printers and copiers
can only handle a few paper GSM.
Also, GSM is important when running a paper through the press
because it affects everything, like the imposition, the types of ink,
and how long it takes for the ink to dry.
If your machine doesn't work with the thickness of paper you are using,
it will be hard for the printer to handle the papers.
If you use too light of paper, the printer might even tear it up.
You can lose money if you choose the wrong paper GSM,
especially if you run a small business.
Because GSM is so important.
Does the GSM of the paper affect how well
your prints turn out?
People have probably told you many times that the higher the GSM, the better.
Let us tell you, though, that this isn't always the case.
Quality is not measured with GSM.
It is only used to measure how heavy
a piece of paper is.
Keep in mind, though, that the GSM you choose will depend a lot
on your application, and the finish of the paper will have
a big effect on the design.
Again, some paper weights are better for photocopying or printing in the office.
If you want the best quality, you shouldn't print marketing materials
like brochures and posters on the same GSM.
Paper weight has a big effect on how your printed materials look and feel,
as well as on what your customers decide to buy.
They help say something.
For example, you want your business cards to look professional,
have a lot of color, make an impression, and be strong.
To reach this goal, you should use paper with a higher GSM.
Lastly, even if two brands of paper have the same GSM,
their quality may be different.
So go out and check out your options to make sure you get the most
for your money.
Summary
It's important to buy the right GSM for your printing needs to make it easy
to make well-designed printouts that will impress your customers
and boost your sales.
You can choose from a number of paper GSM, but make sure you
choose the right one for your needs.
Again, keep in mind that paper GSM has nothing to do with print quality.
It depends more on how you plan to use it, since some types of paper
are better for certain tasks.
This guide should have helped you learn more about what GSM is.
By the way, you can check out InkJets’ products if you need
high-quality compatible and remanufactured ink and toner cartridges
for printing.
