Also known as GSM (grams per square metre), choosing a paper weight can be a hard decision, even for the most experienced.

The higher GSM a paper has, the more rigid and durable it will be. But they will also feel a lot heavier and can get marked or cracked if folded by hand. A lighter paper, on the other hand will definitely be more cost effective, although not as durable, it is easier to fold, which can be a good thing, depending on your goals.

A good way to help you decide a paper GSM is to ask yourself the following questions:

• Will this material be passed hand-by-hand?
• Will people flip and manipulate my material?
• Will it be sitting somewhere, such as a front-desk for long periods of time?
• Is my material worth investing in a more sturdy paper stock to look better?

We’ve put together below the most common paper GSM’s to help you choose.

We know this can be tricky, so if you have any doubt, don’t hesitate to pop-in to our stores and our team will be happy to show you samples of each different GSM.