Which paper to use for each printable piece

Paper weight decides whether a box holds its shape or folds on its own. This is the quick guide we follow for each type of piece, with options you can find in any stationery shop.

What paper weight means

Weight is measured in grams per square meter and tells you how heavy the sheet is. The higher the number, the stiffer and sturdier the finished piece.

A regular office sheet is 75 gsm. Anything that has to be assembled and stand up needs much more than that.

Boxes, bags and packaging

Use cardstock between 180 and 250 gsm. Below 150 the box loses its shape as soon as you fill it, and above 250 many home printers will not feed the sheet.

If your printer jams, load one sheet at a time and use the manual or rear tray, which gives the paper a straighter path.

Coloring books and notebooks

Bond paper between 90 and 120 gsm. That is enough to keep markers from bleeding onto the next page and still comfortable to flip through.

If all you have is 75 gsm, print on one side only and slide a backing sheet underneath while they color.

Tags, toppers and stickers

For tags and toppers, 180 to 220 gsm smooth stock: it cuts clean and does not curl when hanging.

For stickers, matte or glossy adhesive paper in letter size. If you can only find thin adhesive sheets, laminate before cutting.

Finishes that raise the bar

Matte or glossy lamination protects the piece, keeps ink from smudging in humid weather and gives it a retail finish. Print shops sell it by the sheet and it costs very little.

Rounded corners and a clean cut show up in your product photos and in how the gift feels to whoever receives it.

Mistakes we see over and over

Almost every assembly problem comes from this short list.

• Printing boxes on 75 gsm paper
• Using photo paper on pieces that fold, because the coating cracks
• Cutting inside the line and losing the measurements
• Folding without scoring first
• Storing cardstock somewhere humid before printing

Frequently asked questions