What is GSM? Paper Weight, Fabric Weight and Custom Printing Explained

noissue Custom Tissue Paper by @frecklstudio

At noissue, we know a fair bit about paper products; our very first packaging launch was custom tissue paper! We've spent loads of time refining our creation process for the most affordable, high-quality printed materials for you to showcase your unique brand.

We’ve heard a lot of questions about different paper weights and fabrics from people who are new to custom-printed goods.

So, we’ve made this paper guide to explain how the GSM unit relates to our custom tissue paper. We’ll also cover the grams per square meter of our custom tote bags, based on the fabric used. Plus, we’ve included design tips to help you choose the right paper size, thickness, and material weights for your needs!

What does GSM mean for paper?

GSM stands for grams per square meter. The GSM measurement refers to the thickness and weight of fabric or paper. It’s measured from a single sheet of paper or fabric measuring 1 meter by 1 meter.

What is paper GSM?

GSM measures the thickness of paper. This standard measurement is crucial in the paper and printing industry, as GSM affects the type of paper used for different projects. While GSM is the most commonly used unit globally for measuring a paper's thickness, you might also hear terms like "points" or "mils" in the US, where one-thousandth of an inch is used as a unit of measurement.

The GSM range spans thin tissue paper (such as noissue's 17 GSM custom tissue paper) to thicker card (such as noissue's 350 GSM uncoated custom cards).

Put simply, thicker paper has a higher GSM, while lighter paper has a lower GSM. But a higher GSM doesn't necessarily mean good quality. Understanding paper thickness and weight helps you find the perfect balance between durability, functionality, and aesthetics.

If you don't know the difference between GSM scores, you might end up ordering the wrong paper thickness for your needs. For businesses trying to be as cost-effective as possible, this can be an expensive mistake!

Paper thickness GSM guide

So, what is 120 GSM? What is 250 GSM? How can you visualize the weight of different paper products?

The weight conversion chart below provides some great examples of how GSM relates to paper type.

How to convert GSM paper weight to pounds

While GSM (grams per square meter) is a universal measurement that applies to all paper types, pound weight (lb) is relative and only describes the weight of paper within its own category.

The pound rating refers to the weight of 500 sheets of paper’s base size, which differs by paper type. Some of the most popular paper types include:

• Bond paper (used for office printers): 17 × 22 inches
• Text paper (used for books and flyers): 25 × 38 inches
• Cover paper (used for cards and packaging): 20 × 26 inches

Because each paper type starts with a different sheet size, a 100 GSM paper could be listed as 26 lb bond, 67 lb text, or 38 lb cover, even though they all have the same actual thickness and weight per square meter.

This paper weight chart converts GSM to lb for text and cover paper:

What is GSM in fabric?

Similar to paper GSM, fabric GSM measures the thickness of a sheet of fabric. Denser textiles, like melton wool, will have a higher GSM rating, while sheer materials, like lightweight cotton, will have a lower GSM rating. noissue's custom tote bags are 248 GSM, putting them in the medium range for fabric weight.

However, a fabric's thickness doesn't always reflect its weight. Fabrics with different weaves or fibers may have the same GSM but not the same thickness.

Understanding fabric thickness

The chart below will give you a better idea of the weight of different types of fabric.

How we use GSM in our custom packaging

noissue's custom tote bags are available in one weight: 248 GSM. They're made of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton, a lightweight yet strong, high-quality material that can safely carry up to 44 lb (20 kg). As a medium-weight fabric, they can hold lots of products and are resilient enough to be reused again and again.

Our custom printed tissue paper comes in two paper weights: 17 and 28 GSM. All of our tissue paper is acid-free and sourced sustainably from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests. This ensures high-quality and eco-friendly custom packaging for our customers.

What is the difference between 17 and 28 GSM tissue paper?

There is a subtle difference in the finish between our custom tissue options. 17 GSM is the lightest weight and has a lovely translucent finish. 28 GSM is a slightly thicker type of paper with a more traditional wrapping paper look and feel.

Which GSM paper is the right thickness for my marketing material?

The right paper for your business depends on your needs, whether you require business cards, posters, flyers or another product. Both options prioritize quality and make a great impression!

Because our 17 GSM tissue paper is thin and sheer, it’s great for giving customers a cheeky preview of their purchase! Using a single color pattern on 17 GSM gives your custom tissue a minimalist and striking look.

If you have a more colorful design in mind for your custom tissue paper, the thicker 28 GSM paper weight will show this off to the fullest vibrancy. For this reason, we usually advise customers wanting sheets with a two-color or multi-color design to choose 28 GSM, our heavier paper.

We use eco-friendly soy-based inks for printing, which produce more intense colors, as well as the Pantone Matching System in our online design platform.

Wrapping it Up

Picking the right fabric and paper GSM thickness for your custom printing materials means considering the function of your packaging design and the impression you want to make on your customers.

With our helpful fabric and paper GSM guide, you’re now well on your way to choosing paper and fabric that aligns with your business’s vision.

Ready to get started with custom printed packaging? Check out noissue's custom tissue paper and custom tote bags!