Paper quality/gsm research

Tracing paper 
Transparent, hard and strong. It is good
for tracing fine details as it is
translucent. Tracing papers strength
enables you to scrape off mistakes using
a craft knife.
Used for working drawings.
60/90 gsm

Layout paper 
Thin transparent paper with a smooth
surface. Used for sketching and
developing ideas. It is translucent so
ideas can be traced and altered.
However layout paper is looked at as a
cheaper medium.
It is often used in preparation of final
ideas and is used for tracing usually.
50 gsm

Cartridge paper 
It is more expensive than copier paper.
It is creamy white paper, slight texture
usually .
General used for drawing but can be
used with paint as it has a good quality
surface for pens, pencils and markers. It
can also be used with watercolours,
pastels, crayons, inks and gouache.
120-150 gsm

Photocopier paper 
Fairly cheap when bought in bulk and is
available in a range of colours. It is also
used for photocopying and inkjet
printing usually.
General used for drawing but can be
used with paint as it has a good quality
surface for pens, pencils and markers. It
can also be used with watercolours,
pastels, crayons, inks and gouache.
80 gsm

Corrugated card 
Contains two or more layers of card with
interlacing fluted inner section. The
fluted inner section adds strength to the
card without a huge increase within its
weight.
It is mainly used for packing items that
need protecting during shipping.
250+ gsm


Bleed proof paper 
Bleed proof paper is similar to cartridge
paper but it is particularly good at
separating water based paints and pens
so they don’t run into areas where you
don’t want them.
It is mainly used in for important
presentations where quality is needed.
120-150 gsm


Sugar paper 
Sugar paper is coloured paper which
comes in contrasting colours it is mainly
used for tonal drawings. Various weights
and textures are available for different
tasks.
It is mainly used for display work and
mounting drawings, however it will fade
in sunlight over time.
100 gsm


White board 
White board is a strong medium it is
bleached so it provides a good surface
for printing.
It is mainly used for good quality
packaging and book covers.
200 - 400 gsm

Duplex board 
Duplex board is a cheaper version of
white board; it also provides different
textures for printing.
It is mainly used in food packaging as
recycled materials cannot be used for
this purpose.
230 - 420 gsm

Ink jet card 
Ink jet card is treated so that it can go
through all types of inkjet printers.
It is used for high quality print finishes
on inkjet printers only.
120 - 280 gsm


Cardboard
Cardboard is a cheap, recyclable, stiff
board which has a good surface to print
onto.
It is mainly used for packaging, boxes
and cartons.
125 - 300 gsm


Isometric paper 
Isometric paper is a ready made printed
sheet with isometric lines printed on it.
These lines are drawn at 30 / 60 and 90
degrees.
It is mainly used as an aid for isometric
drawings.
80 - 100 gsm


Grid paper 
A ready printed grid sheet with vertical
and horizontal lines on it. These lines
help working drawings such as
orthographic projection. These grids are
measured in millimetres.
Mainly used for working drawings.
80 - 100 gsm