Paper Weight and Paper Sizes - ISO Standard

Let's End the Confusion

In an effort to help eliminate the "Paper Weight" confusion problem,
we have compiled the comprehensive table listed below.
Now you can compare various types of paper and their "Equivalent Weights."

Definitions:




• Basis Weight
  The basis weight of a paper is the designated fixed weight of 500 sheets,
  measured in pounds, in that paper's basic sheet size.
  It is important to note that the "basic sheet size" is not the same
  for all types of paper.
  

• Caliper
  Caliper refers to the thickness of a sheet of paper expressed
  in thousandth of an inch. This measurement is taken with a micro meter.
  Normally, paper caliper should not have more than a + or - 5% variance
  within a sheet. Generally, the relation between caliper and basis weight ....
  the greater the caliper (the thicker the paper), the greater the paper weight.
  

• Equivalent Weight
  While different paper types have different basic sizes,
  papers can still be compared by using equivalent weight.
  

• POINTS
  Every POINT=.001 inch
  For Example: 10 pt card = .010in.

  
  

The Values in the table below are intended to serve as a guide only.
They should not be used as specifications because there are variances
within the same basis weight due to other characteristics of the papers.
Similar weight papers may vary between different paper manufacturers.

• The darker colored boxes above represent the
  "most common paper weights" for that category.

  
  

• Normal paper manufacturing tolerance within a
  paper production run is + or - 5% to 7% caliper

  
  

• This Table was compiled by Micro Format, Inc.
  

• Copyright 1997-2005 Micro Format, Inc.

  This table may be duplicated with permission from Micro Format, Inc.

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International Metric Paper Sizes - ISO Standard

SIZE	WIDTH (mm)	HEIGHT (mm)	WIDTH (in.)	HEIGHT(in.)
A0	841 mm	1,189 mm	33.11 in.	46.81 in.
A1	594 mm	841 mm	23.39 in.	33.11 in.
A2	420 mm	594 mm	16.54 in.	23.39 in.
A3	297 mm	420 mm	11.69 in.	16.54 in.
A4	210 mm	297 mm	8.27 in.	11.69 in.
A5	148 mm	210 mm	5.83 in.	8.27 in.
A6	105 mm	148 mm	4.13 in.	5.83 in.
A7	74 mm	105 mm	2.91 in.	4.13 in.
B0	1,028 mm	1,456 mm	40.48 in.	57.32 in.
B1	728 mm	1,028 mm	28.66 in.	40.48 in.
B2	514 mm	728 mm	20.24 in.	28.66
B3	364 mm	514 mm	14.33 in.	20.24 in.
B4	257 mm	364 mm	10.12 in.	14.33 in.
B5	182 mm	257 mm	7.17 in.	10.12 in.
B6	128 mm	182 mm	5.04 in.	7.17 in.

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HELPFUL GUIDELINES for PAPER USAGE

• Prior to use, paper should be allowed to acclimate at least
  48 Hours in the environment in which it will be used.
  Optimum storage facility would retain temperatures between 70-80 degrees F
  with 50% relative humidity.

  
  

• Before loading paper, fan the sheets on all four sides.
  This creates a small layer of air between the sheets which should help
  printer feeding mechanisms.

  
  

• Do Not Stack Materials such as Designer Gold, Designer Silver,
  Super Color Gloss, Super Color Photo, Super Color Photo Cards,
  Super Color Shrink. Feed into printer one sheet at a time.

  
  

• Load Materials according to the instructions in the
  printer owner's manual.
  Recommended feeding is generally to use the manual feed tray,

   or the straightest path through the printer.

  
  

• Upon Completion, the unused material should be stored in a
  closed package, re-sealed and stored flat.

  
  

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Glossary of Paper Terms

• Acid Free Paper
  Paper manufactured to a neutral pH reading (7).
  Used for fine art prints, limited edition printing, scrapbooking

  
  

• Antique Finish
  Random surface quality created by "felts" in the manufacturing process

  
  

• Brightness
  Light reflecting property of paper when measured under a specially calibrated blue light.

  
  

• Basis Weight
  The weight of one ream of paper (500 sheets) when cut to the industry standard for that specific grade of paper.

  
  

• Bristols
  Solid or laminated heavy-weight printing paper made to a thickness of .006" or higher. Bristols are often used for printed items that require repeated handling.

  
  

• Bulk
  The thickness of paper when compared to its weight. A high bulk paper is thicker but less compact than a low-bulk paper of the same weight and size.

  
  

• Calendering
  Part of the paper manufacturing process where the paper "web" passes between polished metal rolls. This increases the paper's smoothness and provides a uniform thickness (caliper).

  
  

Thermal Paper ~ Shelf Life - Storage
Thermal Paper Information as supplied to us by Appleton Papers.

Unit Conversion Calculator Tool

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This fascinating site reveals the traditional methods of making various types of prints. We think you'll find this information interesting.
Visit this site. What's A Print?

Additional Definitions of Standard Paper Terminology and Abbreviations

ADDITIONAL COVERSION TABLES