Text Weight vs. Cover Weight

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Choosing the right paper weight for your online printing project can be crucial. Measured in pounds or grams per square meter (GSM), text weight and cover weight can affect the look and feel of marketing materials, personal invitations and projects of all kinds.

Fun fact: The pound refers to how much a ream of paper weighs. (You can even reference this paper weight conversion chart to determine different weight equivalents.)

Take a look at the differences between these stock weights before you upload your print-ready file and place your order.

Text Weights

Text weight paper refers to paper that’s thin, flexible and lightweight. You may think of standard office printer paper or a book or magazine’s interior pages. Sometimes called book, bond, writing, ledger or offset paper, text weight paper can be coated or uncoated.

Features

Lightweight
Easily rolled and folded
The larger the number, the heavier the stock

Applications

Onestopdp offers the following text paper weights:
70#, 80# and 100#
Commonly used for:
Interior pages of custom booklets,
magazines and calendars
Letterheads
Newsletters
Flyers and handouts

Take advantage of our online printing services and add features like coating and die cutting.

Cover Weights

Cover weight paper refers to paper that’s thicker and sturdier than text weight paper. At its heaviest, cover stock weight can be similar to the material used to make cereal boxes. Sometimes referred to as cardstock, bristol, index or tag paper, cover stock paper weights can be both coated or uncoated.

Features

Heavier and more rigid than text weight paper
Must be scored before it can be folded
Usually smooth, but can have a texture depending on the stock
Can have a glossy or matte finish

Applications

Onestopdp offers the following cover paper weights:
80#, 100#, 120# and 150#
Commonly used for:
Postcards
Business Cards
Playing cards and
tarot cards
Invitations
Booklet, program, catalog and presentation covers
Greeting Cards
Scrapbooking
Table Tents
Door Hangers

Add Soft Touch laminate for protection and a soft, velvety feel that’s unforgettable.

Point Weights

As you design your project for an online printer, you may come across point weights, too. Point weights refer to the thickness of the stock (usually indicated as 10 pt., 12 pt., etc.). It’s important to note the larger the point weight, the heavier the paper stock will be.

For example: