20 Pound Paper Weight
The most common paper weight today is 20 lb.
20 pound paper weight. One rule of thumb to follow is. Gsm is a consistent number for papers running smaller to larger regardless of paper basis weight. Remember that a pound is 16 ounces and multiply the number of pounds by 16 to learn that a sheet from a ream labeled 20 pounds actually weighs 0 16 ounces. Plain bond paper weighs 20 pounds.
It is important to note that the basic sheet size is not the same for all types of paper. If 500 sheets of this size weigh 20 lbs then the paper is classified as a 20lb bond. Paper help guide understanding the differences in paper weights. In general fine business papers printer papers and personal stationery range in weight from 20 lb.
The heavier the basic weight the thicker the sheet. It does say 20 lb right here the label after all. When manufacturers produce paper they weigh it 500 sheets at a time and that number in pounds is documented as the weight of the paper. Paper weight also known as basis weight is measured in pounds per 500 sheets within it s category if 500 sheets of a standard sheet in a category weights 100 lbs then the paper weight basis weight of that type of paper will be 100 lb.
16lb 24lb 28lb 32lb. For example bristol paper is heavier and stiffer like the paper in a manila file folder. Most often found in your everyday copy machine. Perfect weight for brochures and presentations.
So does that mean that a ream 500 sheets of 8 5 x 11 20 lb. These would be thicker and thinner variations of the initial 20lb bond. Also the most popular business letterhead or stationary weight. If it was something other than bond paper then the size of the standard sheet used to determine the weight might be different.
Here s a quick list of paper weights including grammage gsm. Some of other weights for bond paper are. Its standard sheet size is 22 5 by 28 5. The chart below details the equivalent weights in pounds between paper types as well as notes in the left margin to show when certain types of paper are most appropriate.
Copy paper is generally sold in 20 pound reams so if you don t know for sure what type of paper you have but it looks to be standard copy paper you can assume it s about 5 pounds per 500 sheets. There are different types weights thicknesses and paper sizes. Caliper caliper refers to the thickness of a sheet of paper expressed in thousandth of an inch.