GSM vs. Microns: What's the Difference

Q: What are GSM and Microns, and why are they important for my printing project?

A: Both GSM and Microns are measurements that tell us something about the material we'll print on, but in different ways. They're important because they directly impact how your final product will look and feel – its thickness, weight, and overall quality.

Q: Let's start with GSM. What does that stand for, and what does it tell me about the material?

A: GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter. In essence, it tells you how heavy the material feels. Imagine taking a piece of our printing material that's exactly one square meter in size, and weighing it. That weight, in grams, is its GSM. It's essentially the "weight" of the paper or card.

Q: How does a higher or lower GSM affect the feel of my printed item?

A: It's quite intuitive:

• Higher GSM: Means the material is heavier. This makes your printed item feel thicker, more substantial, and generally more premium. Think of a high-quality business card or a sturdy brochure cover.

• Lower GSM: Means the material is lighter. This will result in an item that feels thinner, lighter, and more flexible. A good example would be standard office paper or a lightweight flyer.

Q: When will you typically refer to materials by their GSM?

A: We use GSM mostly for paper and card products. This includes items like:

• Flyers

• Brochures

• Business Cards

• Posters

• Leaflets

Q: What are Microns, and what do they measure?

A: Microns (often written as µm) tell you the actual, physical thickness of the material. Instead of how heavy it feels, think of it like using a very precise ruler to measure exactly how thick the material is from one surface to the other.

Q: So, how does a higher or lower Micron number relate to thickness?

A: It's direct:

• Higher Micron number: Indicates that the material is physically thicker.

• Lower Micron number: Means the material is physically thinner.

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Q: When would you typically use Microns to describe materials?

A: We primarily use Microns when we're talking about plastic materials. This often includes things like:

• PVC banners

• Mesh materials

• Some types of rigid display boards

• Specific types of plastic cards

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Q: Can you just give me the simple difference between GSM and Microns?

A: Absolutely. Here's the core distinction:

• GSM is about the weight and the perceived "feel" of the material.

• Microns are about the exact physical thickness of the material.

Q: This makes sense. But if I know the GSM, can't I just convert that to Microns, or vice versa?

A: That's a very good question, but unfortunately, we can't always do a direct conversion between them. The main reason is that different materials have different densities.