Paper GSM Guide for Printing in Nepal: Which Weight to Use
Quick answer: GSM means grams per square metre: the weight of one square metre of the paper. Higher GSM means heavier, thicker paper. Use 80 to 100 GSM for letterheads and forms, 130 to 170 GSM for flyers and brochure inner pages, 250 to 350 GSM for business cards and covers, and board or corrugated for boxes.
These are working ranges used across the printing trade, not a legal or national standard. Two sheets with the same GSM can still feel different because coating, fibre and finish change thickness and stiffness. Ask for a physical sample before a large run.
What GSM actually measures
GSM is a weight per area, not a thickness. A 150 GSM art paper and a 150 GSM uncoated paper weigh the same per square metre but are not the same thickness or feel. Coated "art" paper is smoother and takes sharp colour; uncoated paper is more absorbent and writes well with a pen.
Which GSM for which job
| Job | Typical GSM | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Letterhead, forms, office paper | 80 to 100 | Prints on office printers, takes a pen |
| Single-sheet flyer, handout | 130 to 170 | Light but not flimsy |
| Brochure inner pages, catalogue pages | 130 to 170 | Folds and turns easily |
| Brochure or catalogue cover | 250 to 300 | Stiffer than the inside |
| Business card | 300 to 350 | Holds shape in a wallet |
| Postcard, greeting card, hang tag | 250 to 350 | Needs stiffness |
| Poster | 150 to 250 | Depends on display |
| Folding carton | Board, often 250 to 400 | Structure plus print |
| Shipping box | Corrugated board | Strength comes from flutes, not GSM |
Public listings checked on 10 November 2026 show how common these ranges are: a business card listed at 300 GSM, an A5 flyer at 150 GSM, an A4 company profile with 150 GSM inner pages and a 250 GSM cover, and an A4 letterhead at 100 GSM. These are vendor listings, not Thankyooou prices; see printing prices in Nepal.
Paper size and GSM together
Sizes follow the ISO 216 A-series: A4 is 210 × 297 mm, A5 is 148 × 210 mm and A3 is 297 × 420 mm. A sheet that works as an A5 flyer at 150 GSM may feel too light as an A3 poster, so raise the GSM as the sheet gets larger.
How to choose in three steps
- Decide how the item is used: handled once, kept, mailed, folded or displayed.
- Pick the range from the table, then choose coated or uncoated.
- Ask for a sample of the exact stock and fold it, write on it and hold it.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the heaviest paper for everything: it costs more and can crack on folds unless scored.
- Using thin paper for a cover, which makes the whole piece feel cheap.
- Ignoring grain direction on folded work, which can cause cracking.
- Comparing quotes with different GSM or finish.
How to feel and test paper
A sample sheet tells you more than a number.
- Hold the sheet and fold it once; heavy paper resists, light paper bends easily.
- Look through it against a light; thin paper shows print from the other side.
- Rub the surface with a dry finger; coated paper feels smooth, uncoated feels dry.
- Write on it with a pen; coated and laminated paper may smudge.
- Compare two weights side by side for the same job.
Opacity and show-through
Opacity measures how much print shows through from the other side. Thin or smooth paper can show the print on the back. For double-sided print with dark ink, choose a heavier paper or a high-opacity paper.
Paper types
| Type | Surface | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Uncoated (offset or bond) | Matte, absorbent | Letterheads, forms, books |
| Coated art paper | Smooth, gloss or matte | Brochures, catalogues, flyers |
| Art card or board | Heavy, smooth | Business cards, covers, cartons |
| Kraft paper | Brown, fibrous | Bags, wrapping, packaging |
| Textured paper | Embossed or linen finish | Wedding cards, premium stationery |
| Newsprint | Thin, rough | Newspapers, inserts |
Which weight for which size
Heavier paper suits bigger formats. A sheet that feels good at A5 can feel floppy at A3.
| Format | Suggested range |
|---|---|
| A6 or A5 card | 250 to 350 GSM |
| A5 flyer | 130 to 170 GSM |
| A4 flyer or brochure sheet | 130 to 170 GSM |
| A3 poster | 150 to 250 GSM |
| A4 letterhead | 80 to 100 GSM |
| Book inner pages | 70 to 120 GSM |
Weight and cost
Paper is a large part of the cost of many print jobs. A heavier sheet costs more per sheet and also affects postage weight and binding thickness. For mail pieces, ask the courier how weight changes the price.
Weight and fold
Heavy paper can crack on folds, especially against the grain. Printers score the paper before folding so it folds cleanly. For brochures, ask for creasing on stocks above about 200 GSM.
Paper for packaging
Folding cartons use paperboard, which is measured in GSM or by thickness. Corrugated board is described by the number of layers and flute type, not by GSM alone. See custom packaging boxes in Nepal.
Questions to ask your printer
- What paper and weight do you recommend for this job and why?
- Is it coated or uncoated, gloss or matte?
- Can I see a sample or a similar finished piece?
- How does the paper affect the price?
- Will the paper work with the finish I chose, such as lamination or foil?
Frequently asked questions
Is higher GSM always better?
No. Higher GSM is heavier and stiffer, but the right GSM depends on the use.
What GSM is a standard business card?
300 to 350 GSM is the usual range. See the business card printing guide.
Does lamination change GSM?
It adds a thin film, so the finished piece is slightly thicker and stiffer. See matte, gloss and spot UV lamination.
Get the right paper quoted
Send size, quantity and use to Thankyooou and ask for a named stock and weight. See offset printing services and brochure printing in Nepal.
Sources
- ISO paper sizes — Markus Kuhn, University of Cambridge — A-series dimensions.
- Print Pasal product listings, checked 10 November 2026 — example GSM labels on public listings.