Printing a custom project should be straightforward — but when you start comparing quotes from different countries, paper weight quickly becomes confusing.
One factory lists 300 جي إس إم, another mentions 110 رطل, and a Japanese printer requests 180 kg. Are they describing the same thickness? Which one feels like a quality playing card, and which one might end up too soft or thin?
In global printing, paper weight systems differ by region: GSM in China and Europe, lb in the U.S., and kg in Japan. These numbers look similar, but they represent very different measurements. Misunderstanding them can lead to expensive production mistakes and disappointing results.
This guide will simplify the three major systems — GSM, رطل, and kg — and show you how to compare them accurately. You can also use our Paper Weight Conversion Calculator below to get instant, reliable answers for your next printing project.
GSM ⇔ lbs Converter
Need help choosing? See the tables below for quick visual comparisons and expert recommendations.
Common Paper Weight Conversion: GSM to LB
| جي إس إم | رطل (Cover) |
|---|---|
| 200 جي إس إم | 74 رطل |
| 250 جي إس إم | 92 رطل |
| 300 جي إس إم | 111 رطل |
| 350 جي إس إم | 129 رطل |
| 400 جي إس إم | 148 رطل |
| جي إس إم | رطل (Text) |
|---|---|
| 80 جي إس إم | 54 رطل |
| 100 جي إس إم | 68 رطل |
| 120 جي إس إم | 81 رطل |
| 140 جي إس إم | 95 رطل |
| 160 جي إس إم | 108 رطل |
| 200 جي إس إم | 135 رطل |
Common Paper Weight Conversion: LB to GSM
| رطل (Cover) | جي إس إم |
|---|---|
| 80 رطل | 216 جي إس إم |
| 90 رطل | 244 جي إس إم |
| 100 رطل | 271 جي إس إم |
| 110 رطل | 298 جي إس إم |
| 120 رطل | 325 جي إس إم |
| 130 رطل | 352 جي إس إم |
| رطل (Text) | جي إس إم |
|---|---|
| 60 رطل | 89 جي إس إم |
| 70 رطل | 104 جي إس إم |
| 80 رطل | 118 جي إس إم |
| 90 رطل | 133 جي إس إم |
| 100 رطل | 148 جي إس إم |
| 120 رطل | 178 جي إس إم |
Common Paper Weight Conversion: GSM to KG
| جي إس إم | kg (Cover)* |
|---|---|
| 200 جي إس إم | 172 kg |
| 250 جي إس إم | 215 kg |
| 300 جي إس إم | 258 kg |
| 350 جي إس إم | 301 kg |
| 400 جي إس إم | 344 kg |
| جي إس إم | kg (Text)* |
|---|---|
| 80 جي إس إم | 69 kg |
| 100 جي إس إم | 86 kg |
| 120 جي إس إم | 103 kg |
| 140 جي إس إم | 120 kg |
| 160 جي إس إم | 138 kg |
| 200 جي إس إم | 172 kg |
Now that you understand the math behind GSM, lbs, and kg, you might still be asking: “Okay, but which weight is right for my specific project?“
We have matched the most common print projects—from budget flyers to premium poker decks—with their industry-standard weights in every region.
| Project Type | International (جي إس إم) | US Standard (lbs) | Japan Standard (kg)* | Feel & جودة |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Flyers | 100 جي إس إم | 70 lb Text | 90 kg | Thin, مرن, cheap. |
| Book Inner Pages | 128 جي إس إم | 80 lb Text | 110 kg | Standard magazine feel. |
| Brochure / Cover | 157 جي إس إم | 100 lb Text | 135 kg | Premium brochure feel. |
| Standard TCG | 300 جي إس إم | 110 lb Cover | 180 kg | ال “Pokemon” معيار. Snap and durability. |
| Premium Poker | 350 جي إس إم | 130 lb Cover | 220 kg | Casino quality. Stiff and premium. |
| Luxury Packaging | 400 جي إس إم | 145 lb Cover | 260 kg | Very rigid. Used for game boxes. |
What Is GSM?
جي إس إم stands for Grams per Square Meter (g/m²). It is the most widely used measurement system for paper weight across the globe (Europe, Asia, Australia, and most of the world). It tells you how many grams a sheet of paper would weigh if it were exactly one square meter in size, so a higher GSM generally means a thicker and stiffer sheet.
For card games, التغليف, and premium print products, GSM is often the most reliable way to compare stock, because it is consistent across different paper types and much easier to understand than regional basis-weight systems.
GSM to lb Conversion Formulas
The formula depends entirely on whether you are calculating for Text (thin paper) أو Cover (thick paper).
أ. For Text Paper (Flyers, Book Pages)
- Formula: GSM x 0.676 = lb (Text)
- Example: You have a standard 128 gsm glossy art paper. 128 س 0.676 = 86.5 رطل
- Result: In the US, you would order 90 lb Text or 80 lb Text.
B. For Cover Paper (بطاقات, التغليف)
- Formula: GSM x 0.370 = lb (Cover)
- Example: You want a standard 300 جي إس إم card stock for a poker deck. 300 س 0.370 = 111 رطل
- Result: This is why the standard US weight for game cards is 110 lb Cover.
What Is LB?
In the U.S. printing industry, رطل (pound) refers to the “basis weight” of a paper: the weight of 500 sheets in a specificbase size for that paper category. Because each category (Text, Cover, Index, إلخ.) has a different base sheet size, 80 lb Text and 80 lb Cover are not the same thickness—80 lb Cover is significantly heavier and stiffer than 80 lb Text.
This is why a U.S. designer used to “100 lb Cover” can feel lost when a factory asks whether they want 300 جي إس إم أو 350 جي إس إم; the numbers do not match directly unless you know which lb category you are working with.
lb to GSM Conversion Formulas
If a US client gives you a value in lbs, use these multipliers to find the international GSM equivalent.
أ. From Text lb (Book Pages)
- Formula: رطل (Text) س 1.48 = GSM
- Example: A client asks for an 80 lb Text interior for their rulebook. 80 س 1.48 = 118.4 جي إس إم
- Result: You should quote them 120 جي إس إم أو 128 gsm paper.
B. From Cover lb (بطاقات)
- Formula: رطل (Cover) س 2.707 = GSM
- Example: A client requests a heavy 130 lb Cover stock for premium tarot cards. 130 س 2.707 = 351.9 جي إس إم
- Result: The perfect match is 350 gsm card stock.
What Is KG (Japan Ren-ryō)?
In Japan, commercial printers commonly describe paper weight in kg (kilograms) using the concept of 連量 (ren-ryō), which is the weight in kilograms of one ream (عادة 1000 sheets) of a specific base sheet size. Two of the most common base sizes are 菊判 (Kiku-ban) و 四六判 (Shiroku-ban):
- Shiroku-ban (四六判):
- Sheet Size: 788mm x 1091mm.
- Usage: The dominant standard for trading cards (تي سي جي), Doujinshi (B5), and posters. When you see “180kg” on a Japanese card site, it usually refers to Shiroku-ban.
- Kiku-ban (菊判):
- Sheet Size: 636mm x 939mm.
- Usage: Primarily for A-series books (A4, A5). Since the sheet is smaller, the kg weight for the same paper thickness will be lower than Shiroku-ban.
Pro Tip: To match the feel of a standard Japanese Pokemon card, you generally want 180kg (Shiroku-ban), which is approximately 300 جي إس إم.
GSM to kg Conversion Formulas (Japan)
أ. For Shiroku-ban (四六判) – The TCG Standard
- Formula: GSM x 0.86 = kg
- Example: You want to print a Doujinshi cover on 250 gsm paper. 250 س 0.86 = 215 kg
- Result: You would look for 220kg (Shiroku-ban) paper stock.
B. For Kiku-ban (菊判) – The A-Series Standard
- Formula: GSM x 0.60 = kg
- Example: You have the same 250 gsm paper, but for an A4 book (using Kiku-ban sheets). 250 س 0.60 = 150 kg
- Result: Notice how the same paper has a lower “kg” weight because the Kiku-ban sheet is smaller.
Ready to Choose the Right Paper for Your Cards?
If you’re still unsure whether 300 جي إس إم, 110 lb Cover, أو 180 kg is the best fit for your project, our team can help you decide based on your actual game, audience, and budget.
Xinyi Card Printing has over 28 years of experience producing البطاقات التعليمية, بطاقات التداول, بطاقات ألعاب الطاولة, tarot decks, بطاقات التأكيد and custom packaging for clients worldwide, with ISO, BSCI, ثلاثة, and Disney certifications to back up consistent quality.
- Get free paper recommendations tailored to your project.
- Request a sample pack to feel different weights and finishes in hand.
- Receive a detailed quote with the right GSM / رطل / kg clearly marked.
Ready to print your deck with confidence?
👉 Contact Xinyi today to discuss your project, or send us your files and let our specialists recommend the ideal paper weight and finish for your cards.(Link this button to your Contact Us or Sample Request page)
