GSM or PT units are used to measure the thickness of the packaging material. However, the brands lack the required knowledge and skip the discussion about the paper grades while finalizing the product packaging. The thickness or thinness of the packaging material has a great impact on its durability, strength, and visual appeal.
The paper thickness plays a significant role in the manufacturing of an attractive packaging design. This is not just imperative to make the product aesthetically pleasing but also to keep it safe during transit. The following articles will explain the unit systems and make you learn about the paperweights to create an attention-grabbing packaging design to attract the target audience.
GSM stands for grams per square meter. As the term suggests, the unit is measured in centimeters and meters instead of measuring in inches. Printers communicate in GSM when asked about the paper grade. The higher the value of GSM, the more will be the thickness of the packaging material. The higher value depicts the durability of the paper used to design an incredible product packaging.
On the other hand, PT is used to measure the caliper of paper using the micrometer of the printing machine. This is mostly utilized by the manufacturing department and suppliers to calculate the weight of paper during the tough shipping procedure. It is quite similar to GSM. The higher the value, the more will be the sturdiness of the packaging material. GSM gives you the paper weight in grams while the PT system gives points to the thickness of the paper.
However, more thickness will not always translate into more GSM or PT values. For example, a 17-point uncoated packaging material used in the cosmetic industry weighs around 350 GSM but an 18-point coated Kraft paper weighs around 315 GSM.
Following are the common GSM paper measurements:
| 35 – 55 GSM | Thin and Delicate Paper for example Newspaper |
| 90 – 100 GSM | Durable, best to be used as the Printer Paper |
| 120 – 140 GSM | Durable than printer paper, used for posters and bulletins but could get damaged on constant exposure |
| 210 – 300 GSM | Quite Durable, used for Magazine covers, maintain their shape even if turned in different manners. |
| 350 – 400 GSM | A thick material called cardstock is mostly used in retail packaging or for the printing of business or invitation cards. |
GSM is mostly used to efficiently measure the packaging material and communicate with the suppliers. This is effortless to use and offers more information than the PT unit. GSM knows how to measure the paperweight while considering the packaging cost and material quality.
PT unit system gives the value in points that need to be converted to GSM to better understand the packaging thickness. Use of both GSM or PT units offers you great confidence about being accurate about the paperweight. This makes the designing procedure quite easy for the packaging manufacturers.
GSM gives you the value in centimeters or meters while the PT system gives you the paper thickness in points. The following chart will help you switch between the two-unit systems and decide the packaging material accordingly:
| Paper Thickness | Weight |
| 13-point Pulp | 200 GSM |
| 14 point Uncoated | 270 GSM |
| 16-point C2S / Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) | 350 GSM |
| 18-point C2S | 400 GSM |
| 24 point Uncoated | 405 GSM |
| 24-point C2S / Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) | 460 GSM |
| 40-point Cotton | 600 GSM |
Other than paper, corrugated cardboard is available in a variety of thicknesses ranging from single face, single wall, double wall, triple wall, etc. and each one holds its own GSM value to better understand the thickness.
The comparison between paper weights and thickness could create a lot of confusion but one should understand that GSM is best to measure the weight of the packaging material. The knowledge of paper weight and thickness holds great importance when choosing the best material for your product packaging.
This would help you create a unique packaging design, offering an amazing unboxing experience to your potential customers. The decision of packaging material should be taken considering the tough shipping procedures. The brands could get in contact with packaging experts to better understand what’s best for their products according to the defined budget line.
GSM vs PT would give you an idea about the best packaging material for your premium product. The understanding of units helps you accurately measure the paper weight and the thickness of the packaging material.
This will also guide you on how you should choose to interact with your potential customers. The measurements will support you in achieving the final feel and appearance of the product packaging. To get high-quality printing results, you need to invest in high-value GSMs.
GSM allows you to efficiently communicate with the packaging experts and decide on the design to offer customers an incredible unboxing experience.
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