Why is paper weight so confusing?

Paper weight can be an odd system, it’s a bit convoluted. What you need to know is that it refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper. Yet weight alone does not properly describe paper. The type of paper and it’s finish is important as well, but the weight of paper does influences its feel, appearance, and opacity. Whether you’re printing documents, designing invitations, or engaging in creative projects, the weight of the paper plays a significant role in achieving the desired outcome.

Paper weight is typically measured in various units, such as grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds per ream (lb), and indicates the weight of a standard-sized sheet of paper. However, City Blue primary uses pounds to identify paper types, as it is the most commonly used measurement in the United States. This system measures the weight of a ream of paper in pounds. The higher the pound value, the heavier and thicker the paper.

These weights are further divided into categories such as Bond, Text, Index, Point, and Cover. These can be rather confusing as a weight number may repeat, but since it is in a different category, it represents a different thickness of paper. Below is a visual example that can help you better understand the categories and weights of the papers we keep in stock.