Question
What is paper caliper?
Answer
Caliper is the physical thickness of a single sheet, measured in thousandths of an inch and expressed as points or mils. It is the truest guide to how stiff and substantial a printed piece will feel, since weight alone does not always predict thickness.
- Units: one point equals 0.001 inch, so a 16pt sheet is 0.016 inch thick.
- Why it matters: caliper drives rigidity and hand feel. A 16pt card is noticeably stiffer and more premium than a 14pt card.
- Not the same as weight: a bulky uncoated stock can be thicker than a heavier coated one at the same basis weight.
| Caliper | Thickness | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 14pt | 0.014 in | Standard card |
| 16pt | 0.016 in | Stiffer, premium |
| 18pt+ | 0.018 in+ | Extra rigid |
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