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Print Tips · 2026-06-20 · 5 min read

Paper Weights Demystified: Text vs Cover

Paper weight numbers come from two different scales: text (book paper) and cover (cardstock). 100lb text is roughly as thick as 65lb cover. Point sizes are simpler: 14pt means fourteen thousandths of an inch thick, measured with calipers.
Rules of thumb: flyers and brochures live on 80–100lb text. Business cards and postcards want 14pt or 16pt cover. Menus benefit from lamination more than extra thickness.
Still unsure? Ask for a paper sample pack — feeling the stock beats reading about it.
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