From 60 GSM leaflets and inserts to 350 GSM heavy carton boards — a complete guide to paper weights and finishes we use across every print job.
GSM stands for
Weight of 1 m² of paper = Paper weight in GSM
GSM (Grams per Square Metre) is the international standard for measuring paper weight. The higher the GSM number, the heavier, thicker, and more rigid the paper. Choosing the correct GSM is critical in all commercial and packaging print — it affects durability, print clarity, tactile feel, and consumer perception.
At G S Creations, we stock and print on the full range of paper grades — from ultra-thin 60 GSM for folded leaflets and inserts to heavy 350 GSM solid bleached boards for premium carton packaging. All paper is sourced from certified mills.
60–80 GSM
Leaflets & Inserts
130–170 GSM
Brochures & Labels
200–250 GSM
Light Carton Boxes
300–350 GSM
Heavy Carton Boards
Tissue-thin inserts
Standard printing
Brochures & labels
Thin packaging
Premium packaging
A complete guide to all paper weights we use at G S Creations and their recommended applications across commercial, retail, and packaging print.
| GSM Weight | Paper Type | Thickness (approx.) | Common Applications | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 GSM | Uncoated Offset / Newsprint | ~0.07 mm | Medicine Inserts Leaflets | In-pack leaflets & inserts |
| 70 GSM | Uncoated Offset | ~0.09 mm | Package Inserts MR Copies | In-pack leaflets & forms |
| 80 GSM | Uncoated / Maplitho | ~0.10 mm | Standard Printing Letterheads | Official documents & stationery |
| 90 GSM | Premium Uncoated | ~0.11 mm | Writing Paper Envelopes | General correspondence stationery |
| 100 GSM | Single-Side Coated (SS) | ~0.11 mm | Coated Labels Booklets | Product labels across industries |
| 115 GSM | Double-Side Coated Art | ~0.12 mm | Brochures flyers | Slim product brochures |
| 130 GSM | Art / Gloss Paper | ~0.13 mm | Glossy Brochures Catalogues | Sales brochures & catalogues |
| 150 GSM | Art / Matt Coated | ~0.15 mm | Brochures Booklet Covers | Booklet covers & dossiers |
| 170 GSM | Heavy Art Paper | ~0.17 mm | Premium Brochures Folder Inserts | Brochures & detail folders |
| 200 GSM | Light Card / Board | ~0.24 mm | Light Cartons Notepads | Light product & retail cartons |
| 250 GSM | Solid Bleached Board | ~0.30 mm | Mid Cartons FMCG Packaging | Standard product packaging |
| 300 GSM | Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS) | ~0.38 mm | Product Cartons Box Packaging | Most product outer cartons |
| 350 GSM | Heavy SBS / Ivory Board | ~0.45 mm | Premium Cartons Gift Packs | Premium & export packaging |
Beyond weight, paper type and finish significantly impact print quality, regulatory readability, and packaging performance.
Double-side coated paper with a smooth, glossy or matt surface. Allows very fine printing with vivid, accurate colour reproduction. Ideal for commercial brochures, product labels, and high-end carton packaging.
Natural surface paper without any coating. Excellent ink absorption, soft feel, very readable. The standard choice for product inserts, in-pack leaflets, and document printing across industries.
Multi-layer virgin fibre board with a bright white surface. The gold standard for product carton printing across FMCG, pharma, cosmetics, and retail — superior stiffness, purity, and printability. Food-contact certified.
Silver or gold foil laminated paper for high-impact pharmaceutical packaging. Excellent barrier properties and premium aesthetics for OTC and premium pharma product cartons and labels.
Ultra-premium packaging board with velvet-soft matt lamination. Provides a luxurious tactile experience and scratch-resistance. Increasingly popular for premium pharmaceutical and nutraceutical brands.
SBS board with selective UV glazing on specific design elements — logos, images, or text. Creates striking visual contrast between gloss-UV highlights and surrounding matt surface for premium pharma cartons.
Based on 5 years of printing and packaging expertise, here is our guide to selecting the right paper for your specific print job — across industries.
For tablet, capsule, syrup, and injectable secondary packaging cartons. Requires stiffness for structural integrity, white surface for print clarity, and food-grade safety.
Recommended: 300 GSM SBS or 350 GSM Ivory BoardRegulatory inserts must use very thin paper to fold tightly inside packaging, yet remain legible at 6pt font. Opacity and foldability are critical.
Recommended: 60–70 GSM Uncoated OffsetLabels need a coated surface for sharp barcode scanning, strong ink adhesion, and resistance to moisture in cold-chain or refrigerated storage environments.
Recommended: 80–100 GSM Coated Art (Water-resistant)Product detail aids (PDAs) used by medical reps need high-quality photo reproduction, durability under repeated handling, and professional gloss or matt finish.
Recommended: 130–170 GSM Art Paper (Gloss or Matt)Clinical trial documents, pharmacovigilance reports, and regulatory submissions require professional, readable, uncoated or light-coated paper bound into durable booklets.
Recommended: 90–100 GSM Uncoated / 150 GSM for coversHealth supplement and OTC brands competing at retail need premium finish options — soft-touch lamination, foil stamping, embossing — on a heavy, rigid board.
Recommended: 300–350 GSM + Soft-touch or UV SpotWe exclusively use virgin (non-recycled) fibre SBS board for all pharmaceutical packaging to ensure no contamination risk from secondary materials.
All paper stock sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified mills, ensuring sustainable, traceable, and responsibly managed forest sourcing.
Every incoming paper batch is tested for actual GSM weight and caliper (thickness) using calibrated instruments to verify supplier specifications before printing begins.