Guide
Paper, explained without the jargon
GSM numbers and coating names make printing sound complicated. It isn't. Here is everything you need to pick the right stock in two minutes.
What GSM actually tells you
GSM is simply the weight of one square metre of the sheet. Heavier sheets are thicker and stiffer. For a feel for the range: your office printer paper is around 80–100 GSM, a standard visiting card is 300 GSM, and premium textured cards run 400–450 GSM.
80–120 GSM
Letterheads, bill books, notepads — anything that goes through an office printer later
130–170 GSM
Flyers and brochure pages — light, bright, economical in volume
300–450 GSM
Cards, menus, covers — stiff, premium, survives pockets and counters
Coatings & finishes
- Matte lamination — satin protective film; elegant, fingerprint-resistant, writable with most pens. Our default recommendation for cards and menus.
- Gloss lamination — high-shine film that makes colours jump. Great for photo-heavy flyers and stickers.
- Soft-touch lamination — velvet-feel premium film on thick boards. The one people keep stroking at meetings.
- Spot UV — raised gloss highlights on specific areas (a logo, a name) over a matte base. Subtle and expensive-looking.
- Foil stamping — real metallic foil pressed into the sheet in gold, silver or custom colours.
What we recommend, product by product
| Product | Recommended stock | |
|---|---|---|
| Business cards | 300 GSM matte | Everyday professional standard; upgrade to 400 GSM soft-touch for premium brands |
| Premium cards | Textured 400–450 GSM | Linen and felt boards that are felt before they are read |
| Flyers & leaflets | 130 GSM gloss art | Vivid and economical at volume; 170 GSM for a heavier hand-feel |
| Letterheads | 100 GSM maplitho | Inkjet and laser friendly for office printing afterwards |
| Menus | 300 GSM + lamination | Wipe-clean surface survives daily service |
| Posters | 180 GSM satin photo | Gallery-style finish without glare under shop lighting |
| Stickers & labels | White vinyl | Waterproof and UV-safe for bottles, laptops and outdoor use |
| Packaging | 190 GSM kraft | Recyclable strength for carry bags; E-flute corrugation for mailers |
Paper questions we hear often
What does GSM mean in printing?
GSM stands for grams per square metre — the weight of the paper. Higher GSM means thicker, stiffer sheet. A 300 GSM card feels like a debit card; 90 GSM is everyday office paper.
Is 300 GSM good for business cards?
Yes — 300 GSM is the standard entry point for visiting cards. For a more premium feel, step up to 350 GSM gloss or 400 GSM with soft-touch lamination.
Which paper is best for menus?
300–400 GSM with matte or gloss lamination. Lamination makes the menu wipe-clean and spill-resistant, which matters far more than raw thickness in a working restaurant.
Matte or gloss for flyers?
Gloss makes photos and colours pop — best for image-heavy promotional flyers. Matte (maplitho) is better when people need to write on the flyer, like appointment or order forms.
What is soft-touch lamination?
A velvet-feel protective film applied over the sheet. It adds a little thickness, deepens colours, and gives cards a premium finish that resists fingerprints.
Still not sure which stock fits?
Tell us what you are printing and we will recommend honestly — even if it is the cheaper option.