Making sense out of paper weights is confusing for new print customers. Here are a couple of helpful guidelines:

Every type, or grade, of paper such as bond, cover, and text, to name a few has one basic sheet size that’s used to figure out its basis weight. Basis weight is the weight of a ream of paper (500 sheets) in a grade’s most standard size. In the US, it’s expressed in pounds. When written down in specs for a print job, the # symbol stands for “pounds.”

Let’s say your stationery is 24# bond. This means that a ream of this 17” x 22” paper (its basic size) weighs 24 pounds.

Many grades are made in different weights, too. Common weights for bond are 20# and 24#, but several other weights are also available.

Sometimes you may want to substitute another type of paper for a job you’re printing. Maybe you’re in a hurry, and your printer can’t get a specific sheet of paper in time. Or you simply want a different look and feel for your job, and you want to substitute another kind of paper.

You can do it! There are equivalent basis weights between different paper grades. They're equivalent because, in general, they're about the same thickness and in that way are interchangeable. Your printer or designer can advise you on which paper you can substitute. For example, 50# book paper is equivalent to 20# bond paper. (Get a sample of each, close your eyes, and study them with your hands.) The ream weights are different because the standard sizes are different.

So you have many options when it comes to paper weights. In general, heavier paper costs more. Mailing costs should be considered, too. You may want to get a dummy weighed at the post office before ordering a large print job that’s to be mailed. Using a lighter-weight paper can save you significant postage.

Paper choice matters a lot. It pays to know your options.