Emma Davis Print Production Specialist at 4OVER4.COM
Emma is our prepress and print production voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
Why does 80 lb text feel different from 80 lb cover?
Answer
The difference comes down to how basis weight is measured. Each paper category is weighed at a different reference sheet size, so an 80 lb rating in one category does not mean the same thickness as 80 lb in another.
- Basis weight is the weight of 500 sheets cut to that category's standard size.
- Text paper uses a larger basis size, so 80 lb text is a lighter, more flexible sheet good for letterhead or the inside pages of a brochure.
- Cover paper uses a smaller basis size, so 80 lb cover is much thicker and stiffer, closer to cardstock.
- Always read the full spec, since the word text or cover matters as much as the number.
When someone just says 80 lb, confirm which category they mean before assuming a thickness.
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