Choosing between 70 vs 75 vs 80 GSM copy paper is one of the simplest ways to control printing cost without hurting quality. GSM, or grams per square metre (also called grammage), tells you how heavy a sheet is. Weight drives how thick and opaque the paper feels, how it behaves in printers, and how much it costs to buy and ship. WB PAPER FACTORY manufactures A4 in all three weights, and this guide explains where each one fits.
70 vs 75 vs 80 GSM at a glance
| Weight | Ream weight (500 A4 sheets) | Feel and opacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 GSM | about 2.18 kg | Light, some show-through on double-sided pages | Drafts, internal documents, high-volume single-sided printing |
| 75 GSM | about 2.34 kg | Noticeably firmer, better opacity | Everyday office printing, mixed single and double-sided use |
| 80 GSM | about 2.49 kg | Substantial, best opacity of the three | Client documents, reports, presentations, duplex printing |
Ream weights are calculated from the A4 sheet area of 0.06237 m² and exclude the wrapper.
70 GSM: efficient everyday printing
70 GSM paper gives you the most sheets per kilogram, so it has the lowest cost per page and the lowest shipping weight. It runs well in most modern printers and copiers and is a sensible choice for internal paperwork, forms and drafts. The trade-off is opacity: on double-sided prints, text from the back may show through, and the sheet feels lighter in the hand.
75 GSM: the balanced choice
75 GSM sits between the two. It is crisper and more opaque than 70 GSM, so it handles double-sided printing better, yet it costs less than 80 GSM. Many offices standardise on 75 GSM because it covers the widest range of jobs with one stock.
80 GSM: premium and professional
80 GSM is the most widely used weight for business documents in many markets. It feels substantial, resists show-through and stands up well in high-speed duplex printers. Choose it for anything that leaves the building: proposals, contracts, reports and presentations.
Does weight affect printer performance?
Most office printers are rated for roughly 60 to 105 GSM in the main tray, so all three weights are normally safe. Within that range, weight matters less for jams than cut quality and moisture. Very light paper can be less stiff in fast laser devices, so if a high-speed machine misfeeds on 70 GSM, moving to 75 or 80 GSM often helps. See our guide on how to reduce printer jams for more.
Weight is not the same as quality
A heavier sheet is not automatically a better one. Brightness, smoothness, GSM tolerance and moisture control all affect print quality and reliability. A well-made 75 GSM paper can outperform a poorly made 80 GSM paper. Compare full specifications, not just the number on the wrapper.
70 vs 75 vs 80 GSM: which should you buy?
- Mostly internal, single-sided printing: 70 GSM to minimise cost.
- General office use: 75 GSM as one all-round stock.
- Client-facing and double-sided work: 80 GSM.
A common approach is to buy 75 GSM for daily use and keep a smaller stock of 80 GSM for important documents. Need bulk pricing across weights? Request a quote.
See also our brand-specific guides: Xerox Copy Paper A4, Typek A4 Copy Paper, Paperone A4 Copy Paper, Navigator A4 Copy Paper, and Chamex Multipurpose A4 Paper. Also worth a look: Reflex Ultra White A4 Paper, Universal A4 Paper, Quality Plus A4 Copy Paper, Copy Laser A4 Paper, and Mondi Rotatrim A4 Paper.
If you are also sourcing IK Plus A4 Copy Paper, see our full guide: IK Plus A4 Copy Paper – a smooth-finish grade worth comparing across GSM options.