135gsm or 190gsm photo paper
Pick 135gsm when the print will be framed, mounted or up for a short time. Pick 190gsm when the sheet has to hold itself together and feel substantial.
What the number actually tells you.
Gsm means grams per square metre. It measures weight, not thickness or quality, though heavier sheets are usually thicker. An A0 sheet has an area of one square metre, which gives a handy way to picture this: a sheet of A0 at 135gsm weighs about 135g, and at 190gsm about 190g. Ordinary office paper is often around 80gsm, so both are noticeably sturdier than copier paper.
Surface is a separate choice. Both weights come in matt, silk and gloss, so settle the finish first and the weight second.
Same image, four situations
| Job | Weight | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Poster going behind glass in a frame | 135gsm | The frame does the supporting, so extra weight adds little |
| Print being mounted on board | 135gsm is usually fine | The board provides the stiffness |
| Loose poster fixed to a wall with tabs or pins | 190gsm | A firmer sheet ripples and creases less |
| Print handed round or carried to meetings | 190gsm | It feels more substantial and resists kinks |
| Short-run event posters in bulk | 135gsm | A lighter sheet for a shorter life |
| Large print with hanging bars | 190gsm | A heavier sheet hangs with less curl |
Bigger sheets make the choice matter more
An A3 print on a lighter paper behaves itself quite well. At A0 or 60in x 40in a light sheet is more likely to buckle as you lift it, and a single sharp crease is permanent. If you plan to handle a very large print on your own, the heavier paper gives you a little more margin. The surest fix for a big sheet, though, is a mount.
Comparing the prices
These apply to photo matt, photo silk and photo gloss alike.
| Size | 135gsm | 190gsm |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | £11 | £17 |
| A1 | £20 | £30 |
| A0 | £30 | £40 |
| 30in x 20in | £18 | £24 |
| 40in x 30in | £26 | £38 |
| 60in x 40in | £45 | £60 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
If you want to feel the difference
Weights are hard to judge from a table. Note too that a £35 minimum order applies to large format poster printing, so on a single small sheet the heavier paper may not change what you pay. Ask whether we can show you the two side by side, or read our guide to large photo paper prints for more on sizes.
Paper in the hand and on show.
Your questions.
Does heavier paper give better colour?
Not by itself. Colour depends on the surface coating and the ink. The weight mainly changes how the sheet feels and handles.
Which weight is better for posting abroad?
Prints travel rolled either way, and the difference in weight between the papers is small next to the tube. Tell us the size and destination and we can advise on packing.
Can I mix weights in one order?
Yes, you can order different papers. Tell us if you are hoping for a quantity discount, as that depends on the order.