ManjuPrintigly, a Bangalore print company operating since 1984, fields dozens of questions every week about paper weight — the single most confusing spec for new print buyers across India.
What Does GSM Mean in Printing?
GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre. It is the standard measurement of paper weight used across India and most of the world (the US uses “lb” instead). A higher GSM number means thicker, heavier paper. A lower number means lighter, thinner paper.
Here is the simplest mental model: 80 GSM is the standard A4 paper in your office printer. 350 GSM is a sturdy business card. 450 GSM is a thick, premium card that feels almost board-like.
GSM Reference Table — Paper Weights and Their Uses
| GSM Range | Feel / Thickness | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|
| 60–70 GSM | Very thin, semi-transparent | Newsprint, dictionary pages, tracing paper |
| 80–90 GSM | Standard copy paper | Office paper, basic letterheads, internal documents |
| 100–120 GSM | Slightly heavier than copy paper | Flyers, leaflets, single-sheet inserts, menu inserts |
| 130–170 GSM | Noticeably stiffer, quality feel | Brochures (inner pages), magazine pages, notepads |
| 200–250 GSM | Semi-rigid, premium feel | Brochure covers, hang tags, loyalty cards, postcards |
| 300–350 GSM | Rigid, does not bend easily | Business cards (standard: 350 GSM), greeting cards, bookmarks |
| 400–450 GSM | Very thick, board-like | Premium business cards, gift vouchers, invitation cards |
Which GSM to Choose for Each Print Product
Business Cards
Recommended: 350 GSM (standard) or 400–450 GSM (premium)
Business cards at 300 GSM feel flimsy and communicate low brand value. The industry standard in India is 350 GSM coated art paper. For a premium impression — especially useful in Bangalore’s competitive startup and corporate market — upgrade to 400 GSM with velvet lamination or spot UV. Printigly’s business cards start at ₹490 for 300 copies on 350 GSM.
Flyers and Leaflets
Recommended: 130–170 GSM
130 GSM strikes the balance between cost and quality for single-sheet flyers. It resists tearing during distribution and holds ink well. Going below 100 GSM for full-colour flyers risks ink bleed-through (show-through on the reverse side).
Brochures
Recommended: 130–170 GSM inner pages, 250–300 GSM cover
A 4-page or 6-page brochure uses the same stock throughout. Multi-page saddle-stitched booklets use lighter inner pages (130–150 GSM) with a heavier cover (250–300 GSM) for structure and durability.
Letterheads
Recommended: 90–100 GSM
Letterheads need to run through office printers and laser copiers. 80 GSM (standard copy paper) is the minimum. 100 GSM feels noticeably more premium and is the sweet spot for corporate stationery. Avoid anything above 120 GSM as it may jam most office printers.
Posters (Indoor)
Recommended: 170–200 GSM
Indoor posters need enough rigidity to lie flat when pinned or mounted. 170 GSM coated is the minimum; 200 GSM gives a premium feel without requiring lamination.
Posters (Outdoor / Foam-Mounted)
Recommended: 200–250 GSM (then foam-mounted or laminated)
For outdoor or semi-permanent displays, the substrate matters more than GSM. Use 200 GSM coated with gloss lamination, or move to forex/foam board printing for rigid permanent signage.
Packaging and Boxes
Recommended: 300–450 GSM (or board)
Product boxes require structural rigidity. 350–400 GSM coated board is standard for cosmetic and gift boxes. Corrugated board (measured differently) is used for shipping boxes.
Wedding and Event Invitations
Recommended: 300–400 GSM
Invitation cards must feel substantial when held. 300 GSM textured papers (linen, laid, cotton) are popular. 400 GSM with laser-cut details or foil stamping is the luxury tier.
Common GSM Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using 80 GSM for Flyers
80 GSM is office paper — it feels like a photocopy, not a professional marketing piece. Always go 130 GSM minimum for full-colour print marketing.
Mistake 2: Ordering 250 GSM Business Cards to Save Cost
The price difference between 250 GSM and 350 GSM business cards is small (₹50–₹100 per 300 cards). The quality perception difference is significant. Never compromise on card stock thickness.
Mistake 3: Confusing Weight with Finish
GSM tells you the weight. The finish (glossy, matte, velvet, uncoated) is a separate specification. You can have a 350 GSM matte card or a 350 GSM glossy card — same weight, very different feel and look.
Mistake 4: Not Checking if the GSM Feeds Through Office Printers
If you plan to print a letterhead in-house (adding names, dates, content), confirm the GSM works in your office printer. Most laser printers handle up to 120–130 GSM. Inkjet printers can often handle up to 200 GSM with adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard business card paper thickness in India?
350 GSM coated art paper is the industry standard for business cards in India. Premium variants use 400–450 GSM. Most visiting cards you receive in Bangalore’s corporate and startup ecosystem will be on 350 GSM with either glossy or matte lamination.
What GSM paper is used for office letterheads?
90–100 GSM is the recommended range for corporate letterheads in India. It is heavy enough to feel premium but light enough to run through any standard office printer without jamming. 80 GSM (standard copy paper weight) is acceptable for volume stationery orders where cost is the primary driver.
Is higher GSM always better for printing?
Not always. Higher GSM means thicker and heavier paper, which adds cost and may not be appropriate for every application. A 450 GSM flyer would be impractical (and expensive) to fold and distribute. Match the GSM to the product’s purpose — stiffness for business cards, lightness for mailers, middle ground for brochures.
Where can I order custom paper weight printing in Bangalore?
Printigly’s business cards are available on 350 GSM standard and 400 GSM premium stocks. The full printing catalogue covers flyers, brochures, letterheads, and packaging across a range of paper weights. Custom GSM requests can be discussed for bulk orders.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GSM mean in paper?
GSM stands for grams per square metre - the weight of one square metre of a paper sheet. It measures weight, not thickness. A higher GSM sheet is heavier and usually stiffer. Standard office paper is 70-80 GSM, letterheads are 100 GSM, and business cards are typically 300-350 GSM.
What is 100 GSM paper used for?
100 GSM paper is used for premium letterheads, company stationery, quality flyers and inner pages of brochures. It is noticeably heavier than the 70-80 GSM used in office printers, so it feels more substantial and shows far less print show-through on the reverse side.
What is the difference between 100 GSM and 120 GSM paper?
120 GSM is 20 percent heavier than 100 GSM, so it feels stiffer and blocks more show-through. Use 100 GSM for letterheads and multi-page documents. Use 120 GSM for single-sheet flyers, posters and covers where you want the sheet to hold its shape.
What is 70 GSM paper?
70 GSM is lightweight paper used for high-volume internal printing, notepads and bill books. It is thinner than standard 80 GSM office paper, costs less per sheet and works well when the printed item is short-lived or produced in large quantities.
How do I convert GSM to millimetres?
GSM and millimetres measure different things - GSM is weight, millimetres are thickness - so there is no exact conversion. As a rough guide for uncoated paper, 100 GSM is about 0.10 mm, 120 GSM about 0.13 mm and 300 GSM about 0.35 mm. Coated and textured stocks vary.
Which GSM is best for business cards?
Most business cards are printed on 300-350 GSM. Below 300 GSM a card feels flimsy and creases easily. Above 350 GSM the card is rigid and premium but harder to die-cut. Textured, linen and velvet-laminated cards usually sit at the upper end of that range.
Question not answered here? Ask on WhatsApp and we will reply with a straight answer.
