About Paper

The difference between Text, Book, Bond, Offset, Cover, Bristol, Index, Tag, and Board papers
Paper can be grouped into a few main grades based on weight and thickness. Each type of paper has it's own "basic" size and "basic" weight, so direct comparisons are often confusing. More information on paper size standards can be found here.

"Text" is a generic name for a variety of lighter, thinner paper stocks that includes Book and Offset paper. Text paper is flexible, can be easily rolled and folded and is used for printing flyers, handouts, letterheads, book pages, etc.

"Cover" is a generic name for a variety of heavier and thicker paper stocks. It is more durable than Text paper. Cover paper is more rigid and must be scored (i.e., dented or creased) before it can be folded. This type of paper is usually smooth, but can have a texture. It can be uncoated or coated with either a matte or glossy appearance. Cover/Card stock is often used for mass mailed postcards, business cards, playing cards, invitations, program covers, greeting cards, door hangers, catalog covers, presentation covers, scrapbooking, etc.

"Bond" is a generic name for a variety of lightweight papers intended for typical office use, such as copy paper. The surface of bond papers is designed to be strong enough to take pencil and pen, and to accept the use of an erasure.

"Bristol, Index, Tag and Board" papers are intended for uses that require stiff and sturdy paper. Tag for example is used for "tags" and Board papers are used for packaging.

The difference between gloss and matte paper
Paper with a gloss finish is smooth and shiny while matte paper is flat with little or no shine. Gloss stock makes colors look smoother, deeper, richer, with great color-contrast. Photo's and graphics tend to look better on gloss stock, while text heavy documents and artwork are often use matte stock.

Type matter is more easily read on paper with a matte finish. The softer looking dull surface of matte paper provides color contrast and clarity. Unlike glossy paper, matte stock is more forgiving of fingerprints, smudges and dust.

The difference between lb, #, gsm, g/m2 and g/m²
Besides a generic "Text" weight or "Cover" weight, descriptions often include a number to refer to the weight of the paper. The higher the number, the heavier the paper. Heavier paper is typically thicker as well.

There are two systems for indicating the weight of paper; an international metric system and a North American system. The North American system for paper weight uses pounds (expressed as either # or lb) while the metric system uses grams per square meter (gsm or g/m2 or g/m²), often called "grammage". The North American pound rating is based on the weight of 500 sheets (a.k.a. a ream), while the metric rating is based on the weight of a 1 meter by 1 meter sheet.

The U.S. system is a bit confusing because the same pound number can be used for both lighter (Text) paper and heavier (Cover) paper. For example, 80# Text paper and 80# Cover paper have the same pound number even though the Cover stock is almost twice as heavy! The metric system in comparison is more straight forward. For example, 80# Text Paper weighs 104 g/m² while 80# Cover Stock weighs 218 g/m². The Cover stock is clearly more than twice as heavy as the Text stock.

The reason actual weight of Text and Cover stock of the same pound rating will be different is due to the way the pound rating is determined. Both use the weight of 500 sheets for the pound rating, but they use a different size sheet. For Text stock, 500 sheets measuring 25" x 38" are used. While for Cover stock, 500 sheets measuring 20" x 26" sheets are used instead.

Paper weight expressed as "Points"
Sometimes the thickness of Cover/Board stock is used instead of its weight. In North America, paper thickness can be displayed in points (1/1000" or .001"). For example, a 10 pt. Cover stock is 0.010" thick.

Paper Weight Comparison Chart (lightest to heaviest)

#'s	gsm	Paper Stock
16lb	60.2 g/m2	Bond/Writing
40lb	60.2 g/m2	Book/Text/Offset
20lb	75.2 g/m2	Bond/Writing
50lb	75.2 g/m2	Book/Text/Offset
24lb	90.3 g/m2	Bond/Writing
60lb	90.3 g/m2	Book/Text/Offset
80lb	104 g/m2	Book/Text/Offset
28lb	105.4 g/m2	Bond/Writing
70lb	105.4 g/m2	Book/Text/Offset
40lb	109.1 g/m2	Cover
50lb	135.5 g/m2	Cover
60lb	161.8 g/m2	Cover
100lb	161.8 g/m2	Tag
90lb	161.8 g/m2	Index
65lb	176.8 g/m2	Cover
110lb	199.4 g/m2	Index
80lb	218.2 g/m2	Cover
90lb	244.6 g/m2	Cover
140lb	252.1 g/m2	Index
100lb	270.9 g/m2	Cover
170lb	308.5 g/m2	Index
220lb	385.1 g/m2	Index