PAPER WEIGHTS
The coated and uncoated paper categories are subdivided by paper weight. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on only two weight categories:
Book (or text) weight paper, popularly used in magazines, is available in a variety of weights (thicknesses) and is also most commonly used for printing of:
- full color flyers
- brochures
- sell sheets
- coupons
Cover weight paper, which is much thicker and less flexible, is also available in a variety of weights (thicknesses) and is most commonly used for printing of full color business cards, postcards, etc.
Unfortunately, the measurement of paper weight tends to be confusing to the average consumer.
For example...
- 100 lb. cover weight paper is approximately .01" thick,
- 1000 sheets of 100 lb cover weight paper stands about 10" tall and weighs about 35 pounds.
- 100 lb. book weight is approximately .0047" thick,
- 1,000 sheets of 100 lb book weight paper stands about 4.7" tall and weighs about 20 pounds.
To add to the confusion, some cover paper manufacturers measure thickness in points instead of weight in lbs. For comparison purposes, use the following approximate conversion rates:
- 10 pt ~ 100 lb.
- 12 pt ~ 120 lb.
- 14 pt ~ 140 lb.
- 16 pt ~ 160 lb.
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