Copier paper – 75gsm or 80gsm?
6th April 2017

Copier paper – 75gsm or 80gsm?

There is a myth that all good copier paper “must be 80gsm”.

This may have been the case traditionally, however, times have changed.

Firstly, let’s get back to the basics. What people are concerned about is the runnability of paper – and rightly so. Printers and print room operators want a paper that doesn’t jam and curl, as these issues cause production downtime, processing errors and paper loss, all of which have a significant impact on production speed and ultimately costs, especially for anyone printing or copying large volumes.

Paper jams can occur for a number of reasons. One of the key factors is the thickness, or ‘bulk’, of the paper. The thicker and stiffer the paper, the more ‘jam-free’ it becomes.

Paper thickness (bulk) is different to weight. Thickness is measured in microns, whereas weight is measured in grams per m2 (gsm).

It is commonly assumed that standard 80gsm papers are bulkier than 75gsm papers, and certainly this was the case going back 10 years or more. However, with significantly advanced papermaking technology, paper mills are now producing 75gsm papers that are as bulky as standard 80gsm papers.

This is particularly the case with Eucalyptus Globulus based papers. Eucalyptus Globulus refers to the type of wood fibre used to make the paper. It has a much thicker fibre wall compared to standard fibres, which means it produces a much bulkier paper. This allows mills to produce a 75gsm paper with a thickness that is the same as, or greater than, that of standard 80gsm paper.

These 75gsm papers also have extremely high environmental credentials. The thicker, bulkier eucalyptus fibre along with advanced papermaking technology allows mills to produce these papers using up to 46% less wood volume than if they were made with conifer trees like pine or cypress.

Eucalyptus based paper products are also more recyclable. This is because the fibres have thicker cell walls which support the recycling process better than standard fibres.

So if you are looking for a copier paper for production printing and copying that is reliable, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly, a eucalyptus based 75gsm paper is highly recommended.

Many of the papers we offer here at Clyde are made from eucalyptus pulp, including the Inacopia Office 75gsm Copier Paper which is a fantastic sheet.

Contact us today for more details on our range or to discuss your requirements.