types of common paper

• What does gsm stand for?

  Grams per square meter
• Less than 100gsm is called microns, over 220gsm is called board.
• Copier paper is normally 80 gsm. It is cheap, bright and readily available in A sizes. It can be used in all printers.
• Cartridge paper varies from 80-140 gsm, and accepts most media such as sketching and watercolour. However, it is more expensive than copier paper.
• Tracing paper varies from 40-90 gsm and is used by designers. It has partial transparency (translucent), so designers can trace through previous design ideas to adapt and develop them. It is also cheap to buy.
• Layout paper is normally 50 gsm and is cheap to buy. It has a smooth finish and is translucent, so you can partially see through it.