If you are new to print buying or even if you are an experienced buyer, paper weights and types can still be confusing given the many different choices. When you are choosing a paper for your next brochure, letterhead, newsletter, catalog, or even business card, what do you have to consider?

The first thing is weight. Basis weight is expressed in pounds (#). For example, 70# offset or 20# bond. So what exactly does it mean when a paper is classified as 20 pound (#) bond? What that means is that if you took 500 sheets of that paper and weighed it, you would get the basis weight. For example 500 sheets of 20” x 26” 80# cover paper would weigh 80 pounds. The only inconsistent thing about this calculation is that the size of the sheet that is weighed differs based on the paper. This is not necessary to know when choosing paper, but at least you can get an understanding for how the weight that the sheet is graded was derived. Other than the pound rating, there is the type. The most common types that you see are bond, text, uncoated book or offset, coated book, and cover. There are other types, but these are the most common.

Understanding paper weight increases cost control because paper is sold by the pound. For example 70# book costs about 15% more per sheet than 60#. If you plan to run 25,000 copies of an 8 1/2” x 11”, sixteen-page brochure, the cost difference of the paper might be $400. And if you are mailing the brochure, you might even save more when considering the postage due to the fact that the heavier paper weighs more. Paper becomes a huge factor in cost when you get up on the high runs so it is important to know the differences between your options. Maybe you could get by running a lighter stock if you are on a tight budget. Some of the factors that play into this decision are how the brochure or catalog is handled or what the overall ink coverage may be.

These are just some of the things to consider when deciding on paper for your next project.

If you are new to print buying or even if you are an experienced buyer, paper weights and types can still be confusing given the many different choices. When you are choosing a paper for your next brochure, letterhead, newsletter, catalog, or even business card, what do you have to consider?

The first thing is weight. Basis weight is expressed in pounds (#). For example, 70# offset or 20# bond. So what exactly does it mean when a paper is classified as 20 pound (#) bond? What that means is that if you took 500 sheets of that paper and weighed it, you would get the basis weight. For example 500 sheets of 20” x 26” 80# cover paper would weigh 80 pounds. The only inconsistent thing about this calculation is that the size of the sheet that is weighed differs based on the paper. This is not necessary to know when choosing paper, but at least you can get an understanding for how the weight that the sheet is graded was derived. Other than the pound rating, there is the type. The most common types that you see are bond, text, uncoated book or offset, coated book, and cover. There are other types, but these are the most common.

Understanding paper weight increases cost control because paper is sold by the pound. For example 70# book costs about 15% more per sheet than 60#. If you plan to run 25,000 copies of an 8 1/2” x 11”, sixteen-page brochure, the cost difference of the paper might be $400. And if you are mailing the brochure, you might even save more when considering the postage due to the fact that the heavier paper weighs more. Paper becomes a huge factor in cost when you get up on the high runs so it is important to know the differences between your options. Maybe you could get by running a lighter stock if you are on a tight budget. Some of the factors that play into this decision are how the brochure or catalog is handled or what the overall ink coverage may be.

These are just some of the things to consider when deciding on paper for your next project.