Why does 80 lb text feel different from 80 lb cover?

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.