Paper in Printing: Weight (GSM and Points), Coated vs Uncoated, Matte vs Gloss

Three choices define how a printed piece feels before anyone reads it: the paper's weight (GSM or points), its surface (coated or uncoated), and its finish (matte or gloss). This guide defines all three, they are attributes of one decision: which paper suits the job.

GSM and points: how paper weight is measured

GSM (grams per square metre) is the weight of one square metre of the paper, the international measure of paper weight. Everyday office paper runs about 80 to 100 gsm; flyer text stocks about 115 to 170 gsm; cover stocks from roughly 250 gsm up. In North American printing, card thickness is more often quoted in points (pt), thousandths of an inch: our card products, for example, run on 12pt card stock, roughly the 300 gsm class. Heavier is stiffer and reads as more substantial, but weight alone is not quality, the right weight is the one matched to the piece's use.

Coated vs uncoated paper

Coated paper has a fine mineral layer that keeps ink on the surface, so images print sharper and colours sit brighter; it is the default for flyers, posters and cards. Uncoated paper has no coating: it feels natural and slightly textured, mutes colour a touch, and is easy to write on, which is why appointment cards, letterheads and stationery favour it. Neither is better; they answer different briefs, and we stock both in the same weights.

Matte vs gloss finish

On coated stock, the surface can then be finished matte, soft, low-glare, fingerprint-friendly, elegant, or gloss, shiny, higher perceived colour saturation, made for photography and impact. Matte is the safer default for text-heavy pieces and anything handled a lot; gloss earns its keep on photo-led posters and postcards. Matte lamination also gives spot UV its contrast.

Which one for your job?

Rule of thumb: match weight to handling (the more a piece is passed around, the heavier), surface to purpose (coated for image impact, uncoated for writing and warmth), finish to content (matte for text, gloss for photos). Unsure? Tell us what the piece is for, choosing stock is part of the job.

Common questions

What GSM should a flyer be?

Most flyers run between 115 and 170 gsm: light enough to stack and hand out, substantial enough not to feel flimsy. For a flyer that doubles as a keepable piece, step up toward cover weights.

What does 12pt card stock mean?

12pt means the sheet is twelve thousandths of an inch thick, a standard business-card and postcard weight, in the same class as roughly 300 gsm cover stock. It is the stock our card products are printed on, coated or uncoated.

Can I write on coated paper?

Ballpoint struggles on coated gloss and smudges on some matte coatings. If people will write on the piece, an appointment card, a form, an RSVP, choose uncoated stock or ask us to leave the writing area uncoated.

Products where this term matters

See also in the dictionary: Spot UV · full dictionary