Paper in the world of printing is an important and major factor. With different varieties and types, differences and explanations of paper thickness for printing need to be implemented. Knowing the paper size, type and function will make it easier for you to choose and determine what paper is suitable for printing purposes.
Before getting to know the paper sizes that are commonly used, it's good to know the dimensions of the available paper first. Paper sizes on the market have ISO standards consisting of ISO A, ISO B, ISO C, ISO D, ISO R, and ISO F.
Especially in Indonesia, the ISO standard is ISO A, V, C, R and F. While the printing used is ISO A which consists of A6, A5, A4 and others. Standard sizes also have significant differences depending on the user. In offices, for example, many use ISO F for F4 or often also called folios with a size of 210 × 330 mm.
What does GSM paper mean in printing?
The term "gsm" is an abbreviation of "grams per square meter" or "grams per square meter" and is the term for measuring the weight of paper. Another term for GSM is grammar or grammar.
The definition of weight in grams (gsm) is the weight of sheet paper calculated by the surface area in one square meter. So it can be understood that the ratio between the area and weight of paper is stated as gsm or also grams (g).
The higher the grammage of a paper, the heavier and thicker the paper. By understanding grammar, it will be easier for you to determine which thickness of paper is suitable for your needs.
Concept of Paper Type and Thickness
However, the type of paper also affects the thickness of the paper. Different types of paper certainly have different basic materials for making paper, so even though the grammage is the same, it doesn't necessarily mean that the thickness of the two different types of paper will be the same.
For example, there are 2 type Meanwhile, type Z paper has a grammage of 90 gsm, but because the raw material for this type of paper is heavier than the raw material for type
The composition of different raw materials for making paper can make a difference in the weight and thickness of the type of paper. So to compare thickness, you also need to pay attention to whether the paper type is the same or not.
What is the difference in paper thickness?
These various types and types of paper were born at the same time when printing technology appeared. In practice, printing brochures, business cards, and stickers are used as basic materials and in different sizes. Differences love affection paper thickness. Looking at the factors that influence it, the following aspects can be implemented.
1. Production Type
According to its aspect, the production process is the stage to produce paper of the same grammage or thickness, with a density population. Increase a good density to produce a thin paper, while a low density will produce a thick paper.
2. Wood Fiber Content
Wood formed from tree fibers obtained through chemical production (cellulose) as well as mechanical stages (wood pulp). It is this high content of wood fiber, which increases the thickness of the paper it produces.
3. Additive
Reducing the use of cellulose is also to provide a visual effect, a number of paper manufacturers also add substances to wood pulp. For example, adding organic residue from oranges, corn, coffee or olives to produce environmentally friendly paper.
From the components above, it is clear that paper with the same weight actually has different thicknesses. This depends on the production process as well as the composition in it. This difference in weight and thickness is the choice of the printing company for each product produced.
Type of Paper Thickness for Print
The use of paper that is not in accordance with its function has the risk of damaging the printout or even the printer. To avoid this, the paper types and thicknesses below can help you choose the right paper.
a. Paper with a Thickness of 70, 80 gsm
This type of paper is the standard paper that is most often used for printing and photocopying needs, this paper has a thickness that is not too large so it is suitable for the use of printer paper pull rollers.
b. 90gsm Thick Paper
This type is included in the category of uncoated paper. At 90gsm thick, this paper is suitable for printing large amounts of text. You can find this type on the pages of the book in ivory white.
c. 130gsm Thick Paper
With a certain thickness, this type tends to be resistant to aging due to a matt or gloss finish which is suitable as a material for the production of color images. The resulting products are of high quality such as magazines, brochures, flyers or posters.
d. 170gsm Thick Paper
The next type is cardboard. This type of cardboard is light and suitable for catalog printing, certificate presentation materials as well as posters.
e. 350gsm Thick Paper
Similar to the previous cardboard, the 350gsm thickness includes the semi-rigid cardboard used to make book covers, business cards, invitations and folder presentations. This thickness is much needed as a cover or important identification because of its good resistance.
f. Paper with Thickness 380gsm
The next paper is the type of cardboard used for packaging, hard cover, display counters to product labels. This maximum thickness allows the print to be shock-resistant and anti-dent.
What is the grammage of paper?
Paper grammage is a term used to determine the thickness of paper of the same type. The unit used in paper is g/m2 or gsm which is short for grams per square meter.
Understanding paper grammar is very important for those of you who are in the printing business. By understanding paper grammar, it is hoped that buyers will understand the quality of what they order at the paper shop. The higher the GSM number, the thicker the paper you buy.
When you come to a printing shop or a paper shop, you will be asked how thick the paper you need is. This requires you to understand the desired grammar. The reason is, the thickness of the paper you choose will affect the print results and its durability. In general, there are several types of grammar on paper, the greater the value, the thicker the paper.
What is a general paper?
Apart from the type of paper grammar, you also need to pay attention to the type of paper you use so that the printing results are optimal and as expected. The following are several types of paper that are often used in the printing sector:
1. Art Paper
This paper is a paper that is very suitable for showing the beauty of a print. The texture is smooth and thin so that when light hits it it can create a nice sparkling effect. This paper is suitable for calendars, report covers, leaflets and magazine contents.
2. Matte Paper
Matte paper is a type of paper that is almost the same as art paper, but this paper does not have a shiny effect when hit by light. This paper is more suitable for printing pins.
3. Concorde
Concorde is a type of paper that is corrugated and gives a more exclusive impression to the printed results. This paper is widely used to print certificates and letterheads for companies or agencies.
4. Art Carton
Art carton is paper made from cardboard. This type of paper is more suitable for making business cards, catalogs or booklets. Types of art carton paper grammages available on the market include 190, 210, 230, 260, 310, 350, and 400 gsm.
What instrument measures thickness of paper?
Paper thickness cannot be measured with an ordinary ruler. This is because usually rulers measure millimeters (mm) and centimeters (cm) while the thickness of paper is below 0 mm.
So, the tool that is commonly used to accurately measure paper thickness is a screw micrometer. The definition of a screw micrometer is a tool that is useful for measuring thin or small objects.
The screw micrometer is shaped like a plate and has a high level of precision of around 0.01 mm. This tool also has 3 parts, namely:
- The main casing is a patented main scale holder so that it cannot shift and shows measurement results.
- The outer casing is the part that can rotate and move. This part is used to move the thread casing as well as the vernier scale.
- The threaded casing is the easiest part to move because it is responsible for adjusting to the difference you want to measure.
Closing
These are several types of paper grammar that are commonly used in the printing sector. With the information above, now you know the difference in the weight of each type of paper, right? We hope this information about printing and graphic design is useful.