Paper weight: what gsm means
Paper weight is stated in grams per square metre (gsm or g/m²). It describes the weight of one sheet of one square metre, not its thickness, though heavier paper is usually thicker and more opaque. Two papers of the same gsm can feel different because of fibre, filler, coating and finish. Ask for a sample and write on it with the pens your customers will use.
| Weight | Typical products |
|---|---|
| 35–55 gsm | Thermal till rolls, tissue paper, some planner inserts |
| 60–70 gsm | School exercise books, economy notebooks, notepads |
| 80 gsm | Copy paper, standard notebooks, notepads |
| 90–120 gsm | Gift notebooks, dotted journals, letterheads, premium copy paper |
| 120–180 gsm | Sketchbooks, drawing pads, mixed media, flyers |
| 200–300 gsm | Watercolour pads, postcards, greeting cards, card stock |
| 300 gsm and above | Heavy card stock, covers, boards for crafts |
Weights are typical ranges, not rules. Thermal till rolls are also described by width, core diameter and roll length; see paper and cards.
Formats: ISO A and B series
Europe uses ISO 216 formats. Each A size is half the one above, with the same proportions, so artwork scales cleanly.
| Format | Size in mm | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| A3 | 297 × 420 | Drawing pads, posters, presentations |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | Copy paper, school books, meeting notebooks, folders |
| B5 | 176 × 250 | Student notebooks |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | Notebooks, planners, diaries |
| A6 | 105 × 148 | Pocket notebooks, postcards |
| A7 | 74 × 105 | Mini notebooks, cards |
Sticky notes use their own sizes, most often 76 × 76 mm, plus smaller and larger rectangles. Envelopes and folders follow the paper they hold. If you also sell in the UK, A formats are standard there too. Non-standard sizes cut less efficiently from the press sheet, so expect a higher price per piece.
Rulings
- Lined (ruled): line spacing of 6, 7 or 8 mm for adults, wider for young pupils. With or without a margin.
- Squared (quad): usually 5 mm squares; used in school maths in many countries, and in technical notes.
- Dotted: usually a 5 mm dot grid; popular for journals and planners because it guides without dominating.
- Blank (plain): for sketching, notes and drawing.
- School rulings: special patterns for handwriting practice differ by country and school year.
Specify the line colour, typically grey or light blue, the margin and whether the ruling runs to the edge. For school ranges, check the ruling required in each market before you plan quantities; one ruling rarely suits all countries. See school supplies.
Sheets, pages and counts
A sheet has two sides; a page is one side. An 80-sheet notebook has 160 pages. Always quote in sheets to avoid confusion. Copy paper comes in reams of 500 sheets, and cartons usually hold five reams. Sticky notes count sheets per pad and pads per pack. Coloured and origami paper are sold in packs by sheet count and size.
Finish, colour and whiteness
Uncoated paper takes ink well and suits writing. Coated paper, gloss or matt, suits printed images, flyers and photo paper, but some pens smear on it. Paper colour varies from bright white to ivory or cream. Ivory is easier on the eyes for long writing, white shows colours better. Suppliers state whiteness and opacity in their data; we pass on the supplier’s data and do not promise more, such as acid-free or archival properties, unless the supplier states and documents them.
Copy paper for office buyers
Office supply dealers buy copy paper on price per ream and on how it runs in printers. Besides weight and format, ask for the supplier’s data on whiteness, opacity and thickness, the ream wrapper and the number of reams per carton and per pallet. Moisture matters: paper that travels long distances should be wrapped well and stored flat. Because copy paper is heavy and low in value per kilo, it is usually best combined with other goods in a full shipment. See office suppliers.
Paper for art and craft
- Sketch paper: around 100–180 gsm, slightly textured, for pencil and charcoal.
- Mixed media: 180–250 gsm, takes markers and light washes.
- Watercolour paper: often 200–300 gsm, cold-pressed with texture or hot-pressed smooth; check the cellulose or cotton content in the supplier data.
- Card stock: 160–300 gsm in colours for crafts and cards.
- Tissue paper: very light, for wrapping and crafts.
For pads, specify the binding: glued on one side, spiral, or glued on four sides for watercolour blocks. See art supplies.
Paper and pens together
Show-through, feathering and bleeding depend on the pen as much as the paper. Gel and liquid ink need heavier, well-sized paper. Highlighters and markers can bleed through thin pages. If you sell notebooks and pens together, test them together on the sample.
Paper sourcing and FSC or PEFC
Many buyers want FSC or PEFC paper. The claim can be used only if the manufacturer holds a valid chain-of-custody certificate for that product. We supply it on request, where available, and do not print the logo without it. We follow the EU deforestation rules for paper and wood products as they apply.
Writing a paper specification
- Product type and format.
- Paper weight in gsm, colour and finish, for inner pages and cover separately.
- Sheet count.
- Ruling, line spacing, line colour, margin.
- Binding.
- Pack: per piece, per pack, ream or carton.
- FSC or PEFC, only if needed and available.
Paper is heavy. A carton of notebooks weighs much more than a carton of pens of similar size, so ask for gross weight per carton and compare delivered prices. Browse notebooks and planners or send us your specification.
