Understanding Plotter Paper Weights
Deciphering How Plotter Paper Weight is Calculated
The basis weight, measured in pounds, of 500 sheets (a ream) of paper cut to a standard size is its basis weight. That standard size (basic size) is not the same for all paper grades. The major paper grades such as bond or cover have their own standard sizes which determine the basis weight for that grade of paper regardless of the final size of the paper.
How Paper Weights Look on Product Descriptions
It's the first number before the pound sign:
Standard Paper Weights
For example: Bond paper, such as used in laser printers and copy machines, typically has a basis weight of 13-25 lbs. That weight is based on 250 sheets in a basic size of 17" x 22", although the paper is generally sold in 8½" x 11" sheets. Papers for many offset printing projects range in basis weight from 22-150 lbs.
Generally, the larger the document, and the higher standards you have for quality, the heavier the weight required. The logic may be straightforward, but moving forward to making a purchase for your machine can introduce a host of questions.
Sometimes, It Gets Complicated
The calculation of plotter paper weights isn’t very intuitive. The US Basis Weight, the number you see after the pound sign, is the weight of the entire paper roll. Let’s say a roll of 500 sheets of 17” x 22” bond paper (one ream, our basis for comparison) weighs 20 lbs. A ream of paper trimmed to tabloid size will still be considered to be a “piece” of 20 lb. paper.
Obviously, the single piece of paper doesn’t weight 20 lbs and it doesn’t directly correlate to a specific thickness, but it’s a shorthand terminology that can be potentially confusing.
Determining thickness of the paper is simple, in general, but making exacting determinations of what weight you need by imperial measurement can be challenging.
Fortunately, There’s a Metric Called “Grammage” (grams per square meter)
Grammage is often displayed alongside US Basis Weights to help clear up some of the confusion. It’s the actual weight of a single sheet of the paper cut to 1x1 square meters. Grammage is a more specific measure of weight for discerning buyers with very specific needs.
As you might expect, the lower the grammage, the thinner the sheet and lesser the weight. The higher the grammage, the thicker and heavier.
| 20 lb. | 22-26 lbs. | 28 lbs and up |
|---|---|---|
| Standard weight. Most common weight of plotter paper, best for faxes, printing emails, quick document printing for general office use. | Slightly heavier than standard. Appropriate for copy machines and inkjet/laser printers. Better for double-sided printing, presentations and proposals. | Much heavier. Best used for signs and flyers. Richer colors and greater durability with less showthrough. |
Read more about interpreting plotter paper sizes. |
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Our Paper Supply Company Stocks Whatever You Need
WAB Paper Supply has most paper weight stocks available from 17# Inkjet Vellum Plotter Paper to 40# Color Bond Plotter paper to fit every application of your printing needs. We can answer any questions regarding what plotter paper size and weight is best for your machine and printing needs.