If you've ever bought paper or card and wondered what “250gsm” actually means, or why one 300gsm card feels sturdier than another, this guide is for you. With over 20 years of experience supplying paper and card, Syntego explains what paper weight means and how to choose a suitable weight for cards, invitations, menus, certificates and printing.
Quick answer: GSM means grams per square metre. It measures paper or card weight, not thickness. Higher GSM means a heavier sheet for the same area, but stiffness and thickness also depend on its construction and finish. Standard office printer paper is commonly 80gsm. For greeting cards and invitations, 250gsm is a useful starting point; 270–350gsm can offer a more substantial feel, while 110–150gsm paper suits many inserts, liners and layering projects.
What Does Paper Weight (GSM) Mean?
GSM stands for grams per square metre: the mass of one square metre of paper or card. It is a standard way of describing paper weight in the UK and Europe.
A larger sheet weighs more in total, but its GSM stays the same. A4 and A3 sheets cut from the same 250gsm stock have the same weight per square metre, although the A3 sheet has twice the area.
Paper weight is different from a desk paperweight, the object used to hold loose papers down. This guide is about the material itself.
Paper Weight Chart: GSM and Typical Uses
Use these ranges as starting points, not fixed specifications. The best choice also depends on sheet size, finish, folding, handling and your printer.
| GSM | Typical feel | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| 80gsm | Lightweight paper | Everyday printing, copying, notes and drafts |
| 90–100gsm | Paper with a little more substance | Letters, flyers and everyday documents |
| 110–120gsm | Heavier paper | Letter writing, liners, inserts and layering |
| 135–150gsm | Substantial paper | Premium stationery, certificates, invitation inserts and single-sheet menus |
| 170–200gsm | Heavier paper or lightweight card | Backing sheets, card layering and some certificates |
| 240–250gsm | Medium-weight card | Greeting cards, invitations and place cards |
| 270–300gsm | Substantial card | Luxury invitations, keepsake cards and card menus |
| 310–350gsm | Heavyweight card | Tags, business cards and suitable structural craft projects |
| 400gsm+ | Very heavyweight card or board | Specialist business cards, signage and structural projects |
What GSM Is Standard A4 Paper?
Standard office printer and copier paper is commonly 80gsm. A4 describes sheet size, not weight: A4 paper and card are available in many GSM options. Some people choose 90–110gsm for letters and documents, or heavier paper for a more substantial feel.
Does GSM Tell You Paper Thickness?
Not directly. GSM measures weight per square metre; thickness is measured separately, usually in millimetres or microns. There is no universal conversion between the two.
Two 250gsm cards can have different thicknesses and stiffness. Fibre composition, density, coatings and surface texture all influence how the material feels. A linen finish adds texture, but does not guarantee a thicker sheet.
If thickness matters for a printer or another application, check the manufacturer's thickness specification alongside GSM. Do not use weight alone to judge compatibility.
Which Thick or “Hard Paper” Should You Choose?
If you want a sheet with more body, start by looking at card around 250gsm or above. For freestanding cards, size, fold position and orientation also matter. Heavier card may offer more support, but no GSM guarantees that every design will stand without bending.
GSM Guide by Use
Greeting cards
250gsm is a practical starting point for many greeting cards. Choose 270–300gsm for a more substantial feel, checking that your design and printer suit the material. Score heavier card before folding to help achieve a neat fold and reduce the risk of cracking.
Try White Silkweave Linen Card 250gsm or Ivory Silkweave Linen Card 250gsm.
Wedding invitations
250–300gsm card is a useful range for invitations with a substantial feel. Pair it with 120–135gsm paper for inserts, RSVP details and envelope liners.
Try Frost White Pearlescent Card 290gsm with Diamond White Silkweave Paper 135gsm for inserts. These finishes offer different effects: pearlescent shimmer and subtle linen texture.
Restaurant and café menus
For frequently changed menus, 135–150gsm paper can provide a more substantial feel than everyday copier paper. Card around 250–300gsm may suit menus requiring more body. Consider spills, cleaning, menu holders and replacement frequency as well as GSM: heavier card is not automatically water-resistant or curl-proof.
Explore Diamond White Silkweave Paper 135gsm, Ivory Textured Paper 150gsm and Ivory Textured Card 270gsm. Browse our A4 Menu Paper and Card or read our guide to eco menu papers for restaurants, cafés and hotels.
Certificates and awards
135–170gsm paper can suit printed certificates, while card around 250gsm offers a more substantial presentation option. Framing does not require heavy card: choose according to the desired finish, frame and printer specifications.
Consider Diamond White Silkweave Paper 135gsm or Ivory Textured Paper 150gsm. Read our complete guide to certificate and award paper.
Letter writing paper
Paper around 100–135gsm is a useful starting point for letters. Ink show-through depends on opacity, surface and the pen or ink used, not GSM alone. A subtle linen or textured finish can add interest without needing heavy card.
Try Ivory Linen Silkweave Paper 135gsm or Ivory Textured Paper 110gsm.
Liners, layering and inserts
110–150gsm paper is a useful range for decorative layers and inserts without the weight of card. Consider the number of layers and the finished project's bulk.
Try Alabaster White Textured Paper 110gsm or Frost White Pearlescent Paper 120gsm.
Business cards, tags and box-making
300–400gsm card is commonly chosen for a substantial feel. For boxes and structural craft, the required strength depends on dimensions, folds and what the finished item will hold. Score fold lines and check suitability for printing before starting.
Explore Nomad Kraft Brown Card 350gsm for kraft-style tags and suitable heavyweight craft projects.
Can I Print on Heavy Card at Home?
Printer limits vary considerably. Check your exact model's manual for supported paper weights, thicknesses, finishes and feed methods. A rear or manual feed may be recommended for heavier media on some models, but it does not automatically make unsupported card suitable.
Use the media setting recommended by your printer manufacturer. Check that textured or pearlescent stock suits your printing method, and test a sheet before running a full batch. Do not assume that a printer accepting one 250gsm card will accept every card of that weight.
GSM vs lb: Understanding US Paper Weights
US pound weights depend on the paper category and its reference sheet size. Bond, text and cover weights are different systems, so a pound number alone is not enough for a reliable conversion.
For example, 20lb bond is approximately 75gsm, 65lb cover is approximately 176gsm and 110lb cover is approximately 298gsm. Always check whether a tutorial or supplier means bond, text or cover. “110lb cardstock” without a category is ambiguous; use the stated GSM when available.
How Finish Changes the Feel
Weight is only part of the choice. Linen and textured finishes add tactile detail; pearlescent finishes add shimmer. Neither texture nor shimmer guarantees greater stiffness. Consider GSM alongside finish, opacity, print compatibility and how the finished item will be used.
Our Simple Recommendation
- 80–100gsm: everyday printing and documents.
- 110–150gsm: liners, inserts, letters and many certificates or single-sheet menus.
- 250gsm: a useful all-round starting point for greeting cards and invitations.
- 270–350gsm: a more substantial feel for suitable invitations, card menus, tags and craft projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is paper weight?
Paper weight is the mass of paper or card per unit area, commonly expressed as grams per square metre (GSM). It helps you compare material weights, but is not a direct thickness or stiffness measurement.
Is higher GSM always better?
No. Choose for the job. Heavy card can be useful for substantial invitations, but lighter paper is often more practical for inserts, folding and everyday printing.
What is the difference between paper and card?
Card usually describes more substantial material, but there is no universal GSM boundary. Suppliers may use different terms, and construction affects how a sheet feels.
Does GSM measure thickness?
No. GSM measures weight per square metre. Check a separate thickness specification when thickness is important.
What GSM is standard printer paper?
Everyday office printer paper is commonly 80gsm. Check your printer's specifications before using heavier stock.
What GSM is best for wedding invitations?
250–300gsm is a useful starting range for invitation card, with 120–135gsm paper for inserts and liners. Adjust for your design, finish and printing method.
What GSM is best for menus?
135–150gsm paper can suit frequently changed single-sheet menus; 250–300gsm card can provide more body. Consider protection, handling and printing alongside weight.
What GSM is a business card?
Business cards are commonly around 300–400gsm, although the best choice depends on the finish and production method.
What GSM is cardstock?
Cardstock is another term for card, often used in US crafting. It covers a range of weights rather than a single specification. For many greeting-card projects, 250–300gsm is a useful starting point.
Explore Syntego's Paper and Card
Browse our A4 Textured Card, A4 Pearlescent Card and A4 Papers. Selected products offer larger pack options, including up to 500 sheets; check each listing for available pack sizes.
