Understanding Paper Weight

Do you know the difference between a 24lb Bond or 60lb Cover?

Understanding paper weight terminology can be difficult and confusing! So we have broken it down to help you figure out and choose which paper and weight is best for your project.

[ Shop the highlighted paper here! ]

Bond vs Offset vs Cover vs Tag:

The Basis Weight is the weight of 500 sheets of paper in its uncut basic unit size or before being cut to letter size or legal size. It is then weighed and categorized: The most common paper sizes are Bond, Offset/Text, Cover, Tag, and Index which are the terms used to define the different weights in their uncut size.

Understanding it a little further:

An uncut sheet of Bond paper measures 17 x 22 inches: If 500 sheets of Bond paper weigh 20 lbs, then the ream of paper cut to letter size will be labeled 20 lb.

An uncut sheet of Cover paper measures 20 x 26 inches: If 500 sheets of Cover paper weigh 65 lbs, then a ream of this paper trimmed to tabloid size would be marked as 65lb.

Other terms to know:

Standard

• Typically printer paper
• Usually has a weight of 20 - 28 lbs.
• Used a lot for: company letterheads, business forms, stationery

Cardstock / Cover

• A heavy, stiff sheet
• Thicker than standard everyday printer paper
• Various textures, finishes, coatings & colors
• Commonly used for: folders, business cards, postcards, book covers

Vellum Bristol 

• Vellum refers to the finish on the paper which is uncoated & translucent
•  Uncoated paperboard
• Can have an eggshell appearance
• High ink absorbency rate.
• Typically used for: heavier media, promotional materials, catalogs

Kraft

• Produced during 'the Kraft Process' where wood is turned into pulp.
• This process keeps almost all of the wood fibers making it 100% recyclable, durable and strong.
• High elasticity and high tear resistance
• Great paper for shipping and packaging.