When ordering high-quality printing from overseas, a common concern for international businesses and designers is ensuring they get the exact paper texture and thickness they expect. Paper naming conventions and measurement units (like gsm vs. lb) differ significantly between North America, Australia, and South Korea, making the ordering process feel complex.
At PrintSquare, we aim to eliminate this guesswork. To help you achieve the perfect finish for your catalogs, books, and marketing materials, here is an easy-to-understand breakdown of PrintSquare’s top three essential paper stocks, mapped directly to US and Australian standards.
1. Gloss Coated Paper
If you are looking for vibrant, eye-catching marketing materials, Gloss Coated is your go-to option. This paper features a smooth, reflective surface coating that makes colors pop, delivering a premium, polished look.
Characteristics
- Ink sits right on top of the coating rather than absorbing into the paper fibers.
- Results in ultra-sharp images, high contrast, and brilliant, vibrant colors.
- Offers a polished, reflective shine.
Best Used For
- High-end product catalogs
- Fashion brochures
- Promotional flyers
- Lookbooks where photography is the hero
Thickness Conversion Guide for International Customers
- PrintSquare 100g – 120g: Equivalent to US 70 lb – 80 lb Text (Perfect for lightweight flyers and multi-page brochure inner pages).
- PrintSquare 150g – 180g: Equivalent to US 100 lb Text / AU 150 – 170 gsm (Ideal for premium, substantial catalog inner pages).
- PrintSquare 250g+: Equivalent to US 100 lb Cover / 9pt – 10pt Cardstock (Best for durable, sturdy catalog covers).
2. Matte Coated Paper
Want a premium feel without the intense glare? Matte Coated (often referred to as Dull Coated in North America or Satin/Matte in Australia) offers a sophisticated, understated elegance. It provides a smooth finish that enhances readability.
Characteristics
- Features a light coating calibrated to eliminate reflection.
- Yields a smooth, velvety texture that prevents glare.
- Makes text exceptionally easy to read under any lighting.
Best Used For
- Corporate annual reports
- Text-heavy books
- Luxury brand catalogs
- Art books that require a modern, minimalist aesthetic
Thickness Conversion Guide for International Customers
- PrintSquare 120g – 150g: Equivalent to US 80 lb – 100 lb Text (For smooth, premium inner pages that feel substantial).
- PrintSquare 250g – 300g: Equivalent to US 100 lb – 110 lb Cover (Perfect for a heavy, elegant cover stock or sleek business cards).
3. Uncoated Paper
If you want a natural, organic look, Uncoated Paper (also referred to as Offset or Bond Paper) is the ideal choice. It has no artificial coating, giving it the classic texture of a high-quality novel or traditional letterhead.
Characteristics
- The surface is slightly tactile and absorbent.
- Absorbs ink deeply into the fibers, resulting in softer, warmer, and more vintage tones.
- Offers an excellent writable surface, ideal for notes or stamps.
Best Used For
- Educational workbooks
- Instruction manuals
- Notebooks
- Novels
- Corporate letterheads where writing with a pen or stamping is required
Thickness Conversion Guide for International Customers
- PrintSquare 80g – 100g: Equivalent to US 20 lb – 24 lb Bond / 50 lb – 60 lb Text (The standard thickness for typical book pages).
- PrintSquare 120g – 180g: Equivalent to US 70 lb – 80 lb Text (For thicker, premium workbooks and manuals that won't bleed through).
Quick Reference: Paper Weight Conversion Table
To make your ordering process seamless on our platform, use this quick conversion chart to match your local standards with PrintSquare’s metric system:
PrintSquare (Metric System) US / Canada Equivalent Australia Equivalent Recommended Best Use 80g – 100g 50 lb – 60 lb Text (20 lb – 24 lb Bond) 80 gsm – 100 gsm Standard Book Inner Pages, Manuals 100g – 120g 70 lb – 80 lb Text 100 gsm – 120 gsm Flyers, Brochures, Newsletter Inner Pages 150g – 180g 100 lb Text 150 gsm – 180 gsm Premium Catalog / Booklet Inner Pages 250g – 300g 100 lb – 110 lb Cover 250 gsm – 300 gsm Book Covers, Heavy Presentation Folders Pro-Tips for Our International Buyers
Understanding these key points will help ensure your print project turns out exactly as envisioned, regardless of your location.
1. Watch the Weight Units (gsm vs. lb)
Australia uses the metric gsm (grams per square meter) system, which aligns directly with South Korea's 'g' unit. However, if you are ordering from the US or Canada, please double-check whether your domestic spec sheet says "Text" or "Cover" (e.g., 100 lb Text is much thinner than 100 lb Cover). When in doubt, always refer to our conversion table above.
2. Color Output (CMYK Standard)
PrintSquare utilizes global industry-standard offset and digital press setups running in CMYK. To avoid unexpected shifts in color when your package arrives overseas, please ensure your design files are converted from RGB to CMYK (ideally using Coated FOGRA39 or US Web Coated SWOP profiles) before submitting.
With our streamlined global logistics, PrintSquare delivers top-tier, commercial-grade print products directly to the US, Canada, and Australia at highly competitive prices. We hope this guide helps clarify your paper choices. Still not sure which paper stock or thickness best suits your brand? We are here to help!
Paper planning
