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Creative Design

PAPER WEIGHT GUIDE

250gsm vs 310gsm vs 360gsm vs 400gsm: Business Card Paper Weight Compared

Our standard business cards come in three art card weights: 250gsm (0.30–0.33mm), 310gsm (0.38–0.40mm) and 360gsm (0.44–0.47mm). A 400gsm card is around 0.54–0.57mm, but we do not hold it as a standard stock — it runs as a custom job, quoted on request. Business card paper weight is given in gsm, which measures weight, not thickness; the millimetre reading is what tells you how thick the card really is.
Art card thickness compared: 250gsm, 310gsm and 360gsm business card paper weight

What does gsm mean on a business card?

gsm stands for gramme per square metre. It is a measure of weight, not length.
On the same material, a higher gsm is normally taken to mean a thicker card. However, that is not a fact. Different mills run different presses, and hence the density of the card differs.
For example, a 300gsm art card from one manufacturer can be thicker than a 310gsm from another. Two cards can carry the same gsm and still differ in thickness.
So business card paper weight tells you the class; the millimetre reading tells you the actual thickness. That is why we measure ours with a caliper.

What art card weights are available?

Art card comes in a big range of gsm, and the numbers differ by manufacturer: 180gsm, 190gsm, 200gsm, 210gsm, 230gsm, 250gsm, 260gsm, 270gsm, 300gsm, 310gsm, 350gsm, 360gsm, 400gsm and 450gsm.
We hold three as standard: 250gsm, 310gsm and 360gsm.
Any other gsm can be run as a custom job too, provided the quantity is large. Small quantities are not recommended, as the fixed cost of offset printing is high.

The three standard weights compared

WeightTierThickness
250gsm
Budget
0.30–0.33 mm
310gsm
Standard
0.38–0.40 mm
360gsm
Premium
0.44–0.47 mm
All three are art card. What changes with business card paper weight is the stiffness — and how solid the card feels in the hand.
  • 250gsm — budget. The lightest of the three. It flexes a little, and it suits high-volume orders where cost matters most.
  • 310gsm — standard. The middle weight. It holds its shape better than 250gsm, without the weight of 360gsm.
  • 360gsm — premium. Harder and stiffer, with a solid feel. This is the weight most people picture when they think of a premium business card.
Between 250gsm and 360gsm, the card gains 0.13mm. That is a small number, but in the hand it is the difference between a card that bends and one that does not.

Thickness, measured with a caliper

250gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
250gsm (0.30–0.33 mm)
310gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
310gsm (0.38–0.40 mm)
360gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
360gsm (0.44–0.47 mm)
400gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
400gsm (0.54–0.57 mm)
250gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
250gsm (0.30–0.33 mm)
310gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
310gsm (0.38–0.40 mm)
360gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
360gsm (0.44–0.47 mm)
400gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper
400gsm (0.54–0.57 mm)

Is 400gsm worth it?

400gsm is around 0.54–0.57mm, the heaviest business card paper weight we can print on a four-colour offset machine. It is harder and more solid than 360gsm.
400gsm is not a standard stock. We run it as a custom job, so the costing is quoted on request. If you want the heaviest card we can produce, send us your artwork and we will price the run.
400gsm art card thickness measured with a caliper

Which business card paper weight should you choose?

  • 250gsm — you print in volume and want the lowest cost per card.
  • 310gsm — you want a card that feels better than basic, without the heaviest stock.
  • 360gsm — you want the card stiff and solid in the hand.
  • 400gsm — you want the heaviest card we can make, and a custom run is fine.
For a small quantity, stay with 250gsm, 310gsm or 360gsm. For a large run, a custom weight is worth asking about.
Our standard business cards — matt lamination, gloss lamination and Spot UV — are printed on all three standard weights. The current pricing for each weight is on the product page.

Why the thickness varies

gsm is a weight, not a thickness — so the millimetre reading is a range, not a fixed number. Two things move it: the batch (different production batches of the same stock can measure a little thicker or thinner) and how it is measured (a caliper reads one spot, and the coating, grain and humidity shift the number slightly). That is why we quote a range — 250gsm 0.30–0.33mm, 310gsm 0.38–0.40mm, 360gsm 0.44–0.47mm and 400gsm 0.54–0.57mm — and why we caliper our own stock before publishing a figure. If the exact thickness matters to your design, ask us for the reading on the stock and batch you are ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Is a higher gsm always thicker?

No. gsm measures weight, not thickness. A 300gsm art card from one mill can be thicker than a 310gsm from another, because mills press and coat the paper differently.

What is the most common business card paper weight?

310gsm. It sits between the lighter 250gsm and the heavier 360gsm.

Is 360gsm too thick for a business card?

No. 360gsm is 0.46mm, and it fits a normal wallet or cardholder. It is stiffer and more solid than 250gsm — that is all.

Can I get 500gsm on a standard business card?

No. Our standard cards are printed on 250gsm, 310gsm or 360gsm. 500gsm can be done as a custom run, by duplexing two 250gsm cards.

Can I order a weight that is not 250, 310 or 360?

Yes, as a custom job — but only in a large quantity. In a small run, the fixed cost per card is too high.

How do I check the thickness in millimetres?

Ask us, or measure with a caliper. Ours is 0.33mm at 250gsm, 0.38–0.40mm at 310gsm, and 0.46mm at 360gsm.

Wrap up

Business card paper weight is a simple ladder: 250gsm for budget, 310gsm as the standard, 360gsm for premium, and 400gsm as a custom run. gsm is a weight, not a thickness. If the exact thickness matters to you, ask us for the millimetre reading. Then check the price for that weight on the product page.
For the general definition of gsm and how paper weight is measured, grammage is a useful primer.
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