Paper Size vs GSM (Weight) | Gram per Square Meter
The difference between paper size and GSM is in the different aspects of a paper that they refer to. In earlier times when standardization of paper sizes and their weight had not been done, it was a nightmare for a person to select the paper for his purposes. In general, the denser the paper, the more weighty it was. It required expertise, and there were lots of instances of wrong paper selection that made the project fail after printing and binding. However, the scenario changed after standardization of paper size and paper weight (or paper density) in GSM or gram per square meter. This article will clarify the relationship between paper size and GSM, for the benefit of the people who remain confused between the paper size and GSM.
What is Paper Size?
Paper size indicates the dimensions of the paper. The most popular standard for declaring paper size is the ISO 216 and ISO 269. There are three series namely A, B, and C. Size C is defined by ISO 269 while size A and B come under ISO 216. The system of ISO 216 has been designed in such a manner that the aspect ratio is the same for all paper sizes, whether they are A, B or C. The aspect ratio is unique at one to square root of 2. That means, when you cut the A0 paper into two that will get you A1 paper. When you cut A1 into half that will get you A2 paper. From among these paper sizes, sizes such as A3, A4, and A5 are used very often by people.
What is GSM?
If you hear the word GSM in a conversation related to the printing process, you can be pretty certain that it is the thickness of the paper that is being discussed. For paper weights, the most commonly followed standard is the standards set by the ISO 536. Countries that follow ISO 536 that refers to paper and board, defines Grammage, or the weight per square meter of the paper. A0 is the size being 1 square meter in area, and so any sheet of paper having 80 GSM would be 80 grams, while another A0 sheet having 100 GSM would be 100 g in weight.
In offices, 70-80 GSM is the standard weight of paper that is being used in many parts of the world, though heavier paper having 100 or more GSM is preferred by some people for communication purposes. Some accountants use very heavy weight papers weighing around 90gsm to 120gsm. These are used for formal correspondences. In general, any paper having more than 160 GSM is considered as card thickness. File dividers have a GSM between 180 and 200. Newspapers need to be light as much as possible, and thus, most of them have a GSM of around 45 and 50.
What is the difference between Paper Size and GSM (Weight)?
• Definition of Paper Size and GSM:
• Paper size indicates the dimensions of the paper that people use for different occasions.
• GSM or the paper weight is the weight of the different papers people use. GSM refers to grams per square meter.
• Standards:
• Paper size has been standardized by ISO 216 and ISO 269.
• Paper weight or GSM is standardized by ISO 536.
• Types:
• When it comes to paper size, there are three series namely A, B, and C (size C is defined by ISO 269).
• There are no different types for GSM.
• Sizes or Weight:
• In paper sizes, the sizes range from 0 to 10. That is, we have sizes from A0 to A10, B0 to B10, and C0 to C10.
• B0 is the largest paper size and A10 is the smallest paper size.
• Paper weight cannot be given such a beginning as the weight is measured in grams.
• Examples:
• A0 means a paper size of 1 square meter. To be specific, it is 841 mm × 1189 mm or 33.1 inches × 46.8 inches.
• A0 paper size having a GSM of 70 would weigh 70g and one with a GSM of 100 would have a weight of 100g.
So, as you can see, when you know the paper size you want, as well as the GSM, your task will be much easier. If you know the GSM and paper size, you can go to a printer and state that when you want to get something printed. That will make the printer take you more seriously and get your work done well.
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