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Emma Davis, 4OVER4 print production voice (illustration)
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

What is card stock paper weight measured in?

Answer

Card stock weight is measured in pounds and shown with the pound sign (#). A number like 100# means 100-pound stock, and as a rule of thumb a higher number points to a thicker, more durable sheet.

  • The weight refers to how much a set number of full-size parent sheets weighs, which is why cover stocks and text stocks with the same number can feel different.
  • Cover stocks are the heavier, stiffer papers used for printed cards, invitations, and postcards.
  • A common premium option is 100# Silk Matte Cover, which pairs a smooth, low-glare surface with a substantial feel.
MarkingMeaning
#Pounds, the unit for paper weight
100#100-pound stock
Higher numberGenerally thicker and more rigid

For an exact feel, thickness in points (pt) is an even more precise measure, since it describes the caliper of the sheet directly.

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