Weights at a glance
| Paper | Approx. gsm | Approx. US weight | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy paper | 75–80 | 20 lb bond | Notes, worksheets, drafts |
| Premium paper | 90–100 | 24–28 lb bond | Planners, journals, fountain pens |
| Light card | 160–180 | 60–65 lb cover | Flashcards, wall calendars |
| Card | 200–250 | 75–90 lb cover | Templates, gift tags, boxes |
| Heavy card | 270–300 | 100–110 lb cover | Covers, durable stencils, sturdy tags |
Pound weights depend on the paper category, because each grade is weighed as a 500-sheet ream of its own basic sheet size. That is why the same paper can be “20 lb” bond and “50 lb” text. Here are exact conversions, worked out from the basic sizes paper makers such as Neenah publish:
| gsm | Bond lb (17 × 22 in) | Text lb (25 × 38 in) | Cover lb (20 × 26 in) | Index lb (25.5 × 30.5 in) | One A4 sheet | One Letter sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 20 | 51 | 28 | 41 | 4.7 g | 4.5 g |
| 80 | 21 | 54 | 30 | 44 | 5.0 g | 4.8 g |
| 90 | 24 | 61 | 33 | 50 | 5.6 g | 5.4 g |
| 100 | 27 | 68 | 37 | 55 | 6.3 g | 6.0 g |
| 120 | 32 | 81 | 44 | 66 | 7.5 g | 7.2 g |
| 160 | 43 | 108 | 59 | 88 | 10.0 g | 9.7 g |
| 200 | 53 | 135 | 74 | 111 | 12.5 g | 12.1 g |
| 250 | 66 | 169 | 92 | 138 | 15.6 g | 15.1 g |
| 300 | 80 | 203 | 111 | 166 | 18.8 g | 18.1 g |
Paper is sold under rounded names, so 75 gsm is labelled 20 lb bond and 80 gsm is often sold as 21 or 22 lb. When matching papers, compare the gsm figure, or make sure the pound weights are the same grade.
Choosing paper by project
- Notes and worksheets: ordinary copy paper is fine and cheap.
- Planners and journals: 90–100 gsm reduces ghosting and bleed-through from gel pens and markers.
- Flashcards and index cards: light card shuffles well and survives a term.
- Templates and stencils: card holds a crisp edge for tracing.
- Box nets and envelopes: card for boxes; text-weight paper (90–120 gsm) folds better for envelopes.
Printer settings
- Scale: always choose 100% or Actual size, never Fit to page; see printing at actual size.
- Paper size: match the size you downloaded (Letter or A4) to the paper in the tray.
- Paper type: tell the printer you are using card or heavy paper, so it adjusts feed speed and ink.
- Quality: use normal or best for fine grids; draft mode can break up thin lines.
- Feed: use the rear or manual tray for card, so it bends less.
Before you print on card
- Check your printer’s limit. The manual or spec sheet lists the heaviest paper each tray accepts, usually in gsm; the rear or manual tray often takes heavier stock than the main cassette.
- Feed one sheet first. If it jams, scuffs or the ink smears, try the next lighter card.
- Let ink dry before stacking or cutting, especially on coated card.
- Cut on a mat with a sharp blade rather than scissors for clean edges on templates.
Ghosting, bleed-through and feathering
| Problem | What it is | Try |
|---|---|---|
| Ghosting | Writing shows faintly through from the other side | Heavier paper, 90–120 gsm, or write on one side only |
| Bleed-through | Ink soaks right through the sheet | Heavier or coated paper; finer nib; less wet ink |
| Feathering | Lines spread into fuzzy edges | Smoother paper with more sizing, such as paper sold for inkjet or fountain pens |
| Smudging | Ink sits on the surface too long | Uncoated paper for writing; let gloss prints dry fully |
Accuracy
Even at 100%, printers can scale very slightly. Our calibration wizard measures your printer and corrects it, which matters for rulers, ring sizers and craft templates.
Paper finish
Weight is not the only choice. Matte paper is best for writing and pencil; gloss and satin papers make photos vivid but can smear under a pen. For fountain pens and markers, look for paper described as smooth or designed for inkjet printing, which takes ink without feathering. Bright white paper gives the most contrast for fine grids.
Saving paper and ink
Print a single test page before a big batch. Use grey or light line colours for grids, which use less ink and still print clearly, and print several small items per sheet with the packs tool.