At Jukebox, we offer a vast and diverse collection of paper stocks, making it both exciting and overwhelming to choose the right one for your project. Understanding the difference between PT (points) and GSM (grams per square meter) is crucial. In North America, PT is the standard measurement for paper thickness, with 10-15pt considered thin—ideal for standard brochures or business cards—while 16-24pt is thicker, giving a more substantial and premium feel. A 24pt paper, for instance, is very thick and often used for luxury business cards. On the other hand, European countries typically use GSM to measure paper weight and density, indicating how thick and sturdy the paper is.
Why GSM Matters: GSM, or grams per square meter, is crucial because it tells you how heavy and dense the paper is, which directly impacts how it feels and performs. Higher GSM means thicker, more durable paper that can stand up to more handling and resist bending or tearing.
For instance, our 20pt C2S paper at 460 GSM is a popular choice for business cards because it offers a great balance between durability and elegance, making them perfect for leaving a strong, lasting impression. For saddle-stitched books, 80lb text weight paper (around 118 GSM) is commonly used for the inside pages because it’s lightweight enough to fold easily, while still providing a premium feel. Understanding GSM helps you select the right paper that not only looks good but also suits the purpose and durability you need for your project.
The Beauty of Dense Papers: Dense papers with higher GSM don’t just feel premium—they last longer and resist bending and tearing, making them perfect for projects that need to stand the test of time, such as special invitations or luxury packaging.
How to Choose: Consider both GSM and thickness when picking your paper:
Brochures: The industry standard for brochures in North America is 100lb text weight, which is easy to fold and handle. However, choosing a 10pt cover stock for a brochure would make it much thicker and more substantial, possibly better suited for a high-end brochure or catalog.
Book Covers: For perfect bound or saddle-stitched books, a lighter GSM for the cover, such as 10pt C1S, is ideal. It provides a sturdy, flexible cover that pairs well with 80lb stock for the inside pages, giving the book a premium feel without being too bulky.
Wedding Invitations: For a truly luxurious invitation, a dense GSM is key. The 40pt Cotton, with its thick, premium texture, is perfect for wedding invitations that express elegance and sophistication.
Greeting Cards: The most popular option for greeting cards is 15pt C1S—it’s not too thin, not too thick, and easy to fold, making it the standard thickness. If you prefer a more premium feel, you could opt for an 18pt Mohawk, but with the higher GSM, folding may be less firm due to the strength of the paper.
Check out the chart below to find the right paper for your next project:
Paper Weight Conversion Chart
Category | Paper Type | pt | GSM (g/m²) | Thickness (in) | Best Uses |
Standard Stocks | 10pt C1S | 10pt | 230 gsm | 0.010 | Book Covers, Posters |
| 10pt C1S Soft Touch | 10pt | 240 gsm | 0.010 | Book Covers, Greeting Cards |
| 10pt C2S | 10pt | 230 gsm | 0.010 | Book Covers, Flyers |
| 10pt Soft Touch | 10pt | 240 gsm | 0.010 | Book Covers, Posters |
| 15pt C1S | 15pt | 345 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Greeting Cards |
| 15pt C1S Soft Touch | 15pt | 355 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Luxury Packaging |
| 15pt C1S Super Gloss | 15pt | 355 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Gift Cards |
| 15pt C1S Texture Matte | 15pt | 345 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Hang Tags |
| 16pt C2S | 16pt | 406 gsm | 0.016 | Business Cards, Invitations |
| 16pt Soft Touch | 16pt | 360 gsm | 0.016 | Business Cards, Menus |
| 16pt Super Gloss | 16pt | 360 gsm | 0.016 | Business Cards, Postcards |
| 16pt Texture Matte | 16pt | 350 gsm | 0.016 | Business Cards, Packaging |
| 18pt C2S | 18pt | 457 gsm | 0.018 | Premium Business Cards, Packaging |
| 20pt Soft Touch | 20pt | 460 gsm | 0.020 | Premium Business Cards, Wedding Invitations |
| 20pt Super Gloss | 20pt | 460 gsm | 0.020 | Premium Business Cards, Invitations |
| 20pt Texture Matte | 20pt | 450 gsm | 0.020 | Premium Business Cards, Menus |
| 18pt Premium Matte | 18pt | 457 gsm | 0.018 | Premium Business Cards, Gift Packaging |
| 15pt Brown Kraft (100% Recycled) | 15pt | 340 gsm | 0.015 | Eco-Friendly Business Cards, Tags |
| 18pt Brown Kraft (100% Recycled) | 18pt | 400 gsm | 0.018 | Eco-Friendly Business Cards, Invitations |
Premium Stocks | 9pt Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite | 9pt | 160 gsm | 0.009 | Brochures, Book Covers, Flyers |
| 15pt Mohawk Recycled | 15pt | 330 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Greeting Cards |
| 15pt Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite | 15pt | 330 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Invitations |
| 18pt Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite | 18pt | 406 gsm | 0.018 | Premium Business Cards, Luxury Packaging |
| 24pt Mohawk Eggshell Superfine | 24pt | 433 gsm | 0.024 | Premium Business Cards, Packaging |
| 36pt Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite | 36pt | 600 gsm | 0.036 | Extra-Thick Business Cards, Luxury Invitations |
| 15pt Oxford White Textured | 15pt | 270 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Greeting Cards |
| 30pt Oxford White Textured | 30pt | 600 gsm | 0.030 | Premium Business Cards, Special Invitations |
| 13pt Pearl Platinum | 13pt | 284 gsm | 0.013 | Luxury Invitations, Greeting Cards |
| 13pt Pearl Silver | 13pt | 284 gsm | 0.013 | Luxury Invitations, Tags |
| 26pt Pearl Platinum | 26pt | 530 gsm | 0.026 | Premium Business Cards, Luxury Invitations |
| 26pt Pearl Silver | 26pt | 530 gsm | 0.026 | Premium Business Cards, Wedding Invitations |
| 15pt Yupo Synthetic (Waterproof) | 15pt | 318 gsm | 0.015 | Waterproof Menus, Outdoor Cards |
| 20pt Bright White Cotton | 20pt | 297 gsm | 0.020 | Premium Business Cards, Invitations |
| 20pt Off White Cotton | 20pt | 297 gsm | 0.020 | Premium Business Cards, Special Invitations |
| 40pt Bright White Cotton | 40pt | 600 gsm | 0.040 | Wedding Invitations, Premium Business Cards |
| 40pt Off-White Cotton | 40pt | 600 gsm | 0.040 | Luxury Invitations, Special Event Cards |
| 17pt Cannabis | 17pt | 380 gsm | 0.017 | Eco-Friendly Business Cards, Premium Tags |
Text Weights | 70lb Mohawk Texture Warm White | - | 104 gsm | - | Brochures, Inside Pages for Books, Letterheads |
| 70lb Mohawk Linen Pure White | - | 104 gsm | - | Brochures, Inside Pages for Books, Letterheads |
| 80lb Uncoated | - | 118 gsm | - | Brochures, Inside Pages for Books, Calendars |
| 80lb Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite Smooth | - | 118 gsm | - | Brochures, Calendars, Letterheads |
| 80lb Smooth Recycled | - | 118 gsm | - | Brochures, Inside Pages for Books, Letterheads |
| 80lb Mohawk Textured Pure White | - | 118 gsm | - | Brochures, Calendars, Letterheads |
| 80lb Cougar Off-White Uncoated | - | 118 gsm | - | Brochures, Inside Pages for Books, Calendars |
| 80lb Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite Eggshell | - | 118 gsm | - | Brochures, Calendars, Letterheads |
| 100lb Cougar Uncoated Text | - | 148 gsm | - | Brochures, Inside Pages for Books, Calendars |
| 100lb Mohawk Superfine Ultrawhite Smooth | - | 148 gsm | - | Brochures, Calendars, Letterheads |
| 100lb Gloss Text | - | 150 gsm | - | Brochures, Flyers, Inside Pages for Books |
| 100lb Silk Text | - | 150 gsm | - | Brochures, Flyers, Calendars |
Premium Black Stocks | 15pt Oxford Black Textured | 15pt | 270 gsm | 0.015 | Business Cards, Special Event Cards |
| 16pt Jet Black | 16pt | 350 gsm | 0.016 | Business Cards, Invitations |
| 30pt Oxford Black Textured | 30pt | 600 gsm | 0.030 | Premium Business Cards, Special Invitations |
| 30pt Onyx | 30pt | 600 gsm | 0.030 | Premium Business Cards, Event Cards |
| 40pt Black Cotton | 40pt | 600 gsm | 0.040 | Wedding Invitations, Premium Business Cards |
| 24pt Smooth Suede | 24pt | 541 gsm | 0.024 | Premium Business Cards, Hang Tags |
With all the stocks listed above, you can see the extensive range of paper options available and how challenging it can be to select the perfect stock for your project. We always encourage you to experience our paper stocks firsthand. Ordering our Stock Collection Book gives you the chance to feel the thickness and texture, helping you choose the best stock for your special project.
Explore the different options, get creative, and have fun with your selections. And if you ever need assistance, our customer support team is here to help. You can order our Stock Collection book here.