What is grammage (thickness of paper) and what does it depend on?

In the printing industry, one of the key parameters affecting the quality and functionality of printed products is paper weight. This indicator determines the thickness and density of the paper used for the production of various printed products. Let’s consider what grammage is, how it is measured and what it depends on.
What is paper weight?
Weight is the weight of paper per unit area, measured in grams per square meter (g/m²). It determines the density and thickness of the paper, which affects its characteristics such as strength, flexibility and ability to absorb ink.
How is grammar measured?
The process of measuring paper weight is quite simple. A sample of paper with an area of ​​1 square meter is cut, weighed, and the result of the measurement gives the grammage value in grams per square meter. For example, paper with a grammage of 80 g/m² weighs 80 grams per square meter.

What does paper grammage depend on?
Type of fiber: The quality and type of fibers from which the paper is made directly affect its grammage. For example, paper made from high-quality fibers can have a lower grammage with high strength.
Manufacturing Technology: The papermaking process, including the types of equipment and finishing methods, affect the density and thickness of the final product.
Purpose of paper: Paper used for different purposes has different grammage. For example, newsprint paper has a low grammage, while cardboard for packaging has a high grammage.
Additional treatments: Lamination, coating, application of special layers of paint or varnish can also affect the overall thickness and weight of the paper.
How to choose paper with the right grammage?
The choice of paper with a certain grammage depends on the type of printed product and its purpose:
For office printing: Paper with a grammage of 80-100 g/m² is usually used.
For the production of business cards: You need denser paper with a grammage of 250-350 g/m².
For brochures and catalogs: It is optimal to use paper with a weight of 130-170 g/m² for the inner pages and 250-300 g/m² for the cover.

Paper weight is an important parameter that determines its characteristics and scope of application. The choice of paper with the appropriate grammage ensures high quality of printed products and its durability. “Vasha Drukarnia” offers a wide selection of paper of various weights to meet any needs of our customers.
Contact us for advice and to order high-quality printed products!