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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right GSM for Packaging Paperboard
Choosing the right GSM for packaging paperboard is a crucial aspect to consider when printing a graphic project. Papers are of different types & sizes, and it can often be difficult to decide paper type, size, and quality.
GSM, or grams per square meter, refers to measuring how heavy the paperboard is. There are many factors that you need to consider. Any mistake in GSM or paper selection can greatly impact the quality and look of the material.
This blog post is all about choosing the right grams per square meter for paperboard packaging.
What is the Right GSM for Packaging Paperboard?
Before choosing the right GSM, it’s essential to understand what it actually is. GSM is the standard measurement unit that is used to determine the weight and thickness of material, whether it’s cardboard or other packaging material.
Without choosing the right GSM, it’s difficult to maintain the overall durability of any packaging material. Each material’s GSM is different from the others. Let me guide you with a simple example so you can easily understand.
A 300 GSM coated paperboard is often chosen for perfume boxes. It provides enough thickness and durability to protect the bottle inside, gives a premium feel, and allows for high-quality printing.
How to Choose the Right GSM for your Product Packaging?
The selection of packaging material should be done after considering various factors. Let us explore how to choose the right paper grammage for product packaging. Things that you need to check out.
Product Nature & Intended Use
The very first step in selecting the right GSM is checking the product you want to pack. If you want to pack bulky weight, fragile & breakable items, there is a need for thicker and durable packaging, with GSM of 250 or higher.
The other thing is to consider the intended use of the product. Retail boxes can work very well with low paperboard GSM. As an example, these GSMs are ideal for different types of products.
- Custom soap boxes require a paper GSM of 250 to 400 grams.
- For custom candle boxes, the right GSM varies between 300 & 1200 grams.
- Rigid box GSM is on the higher end that varies between 1000 & 1800 GSM.
Printing & Overall Looks
Materials with higher GSM are perfect for easy printing and an enhanced look. If you choose the right GSM for any type of product, you could easily print anything on the box with unlimited finishing options. But if you don’t do it the right way, it’s hard to maintain accuracy and quality.
This doesn’t mean that materials with low GSM are not suitable for luxury finishes. They are good enough, too, but thicker ones provide better results. The 300 to 500 GSM range is ideal for high-end or luxury packaging.
Environmental Factors
Consider all factors and conditions in which a box is placed. If you want to ship your product outside the country, the box must be thick enough to withstand durability. For frozen items, packaging material should withstand the freezing temperature.
Custom printed ice cream boxes are usually made from corrugated material with higher GSM. On the other hand, if the product sits on a retail shelf, then you won’t need to worry about higher GSM.
Balance Eco-friendliness & Cost
Going for luxury custom printed boxes doesn’t mean you spend hefty price tags. Boxes that are heavier in nature are costly as compared to ones that are lightweight in nature. They also increase the overall shipping cost.
Eco-friendly materials usually come with lower GSM and cost-effectiveness. Hence, it’s a good choice to pick a GSM that is strong enough to protect the product without increasing the overall cost.
Ending Thoughts!
The aim of this blog post was to explain the right GSM for packaging paperboard, educate you about its importance, and explain how to choose the right one. We hope you learnt a lot from this blog post and have gotten all the details you should know about the right GSM.
At Emenac Packaging Canada, we have a team of professional packaging experts who will guide you with each detail regarding packaging material, customisation, and finishing. Contact us so we can help you with unlimited packaging designs and customisations.
