Paperpoint Help

We have prepared a range of buying guides to help you find the paper you need.

If you couldn't find an answer to your question contact us here and we will be happy to help.

Paper Sizes

Back to top ↑

The paper size most people are familiar with is A4 (210 x 297mm). It was developed in Germany and adopted in parts of Europe in the 1920s as part of the DIN 476 standard and, following World War 2, was progressively adopted throughout most of the world up to the mid-1970s, becoming the standard letter format. A4 is also the most commonly used format for magazines, brochures and flyers. The USA and Canada continue to use the imperial-based US Letter format (216 x 279mm) as their standard.

The ISO B sizes are less commonly used however, some larger B sizes are used for posters, some of the smaller B sizes such as B4 are used for envelopes, and B5 is a relatively common size for printed journals and books. Most Passports are B7.

The ISO C size series is used exclusively for envelopes with the most common being C6, C5 and C4. The exception here is the use of DL (220 x 110mm) which fits an A4 sheet folded into thirds.

Paper Weights (Grammage)

Back to top ↑

GSM. You see it on the pack every time you buy copy paper... so, what is it? GSM is the metric unit of measurement for determining the weight of paper. And if you've ever wondered what "gsm" means, it's an acronym for Grams per Square Metre (it can also be referred to as "grammage"). The higher the number, the heavier (or thicker) the paper. For example, on average, letterheads are 100gsm, and business cards are 250-300gsm.

To keep it simple, paper can be classed into three very broad, basic categories: paper, card, and board.

  • Paper 50–200 gsm

    This category is the broadest and takes in lower quality recycleds, bonds and offset papers through to the higher quality antique-style papers such as felt, laid smooth and wove papers.

  • Card 200–375 gsm

    Traditionally used for business cards, the covers of paperbacks, menus, folders, reports and the like. They are also referred to as card and cover stock.

  • Board 375+ gsm

    These heavy, thick products perform the hardworking tasks in printing and packaging. For example, boards such as Box Board, typically a 100% recycled product with a natural, raw brown finish, are commonly used for the covers of hard bound books and various packaging. Other types include Screen Board and Corrugated Cardboard.

Styles & Finishes

Back to top ↑

How much and what you use paper for may determine how much you need to know about certain paper types, their particular characteristics and many, many uses. For example, if you purchase the paper requirements for a small business or are a dedicated paper craft worker, it pays to know as much as possible about our products and the styles and finishes available.

At Paperpoint, you'll find all you could possibly need for just about any application. However, if you can't, we'll help you find what you're after or what you need.

Here's a list for starters:

  • Bond Paper

    A broad category of durable uncoated paper most commonly used for writing, printing and photocopying. Also referred to as business paper, correspondence and writing paper or communication paper.

  • Calendered Paper

    Paper that has an increased surface smoothness produced by passing it through rollers during manufacture.

  • Cast Coated Paper

    Coated paper that has been dried under pressure against a highly polished hot metal cylinder to produce a high gloss finish. Also known as an enamel finish.

  • Coated Paper

    Paper which has a surface coating (clay) to produce a smooth finish. Coated paper is available in cast, gloss, dull, satin, silk and matt finishes.

  • Deckle edge

    The untrimmed "feathered" edge of a sheet of paper, giving it a hand-made quality or effect.

  • Dull finish

    A coated paper with a non-gloss but somewhat smooth surface finish.

  • Embossed finish

    Papers with a raised and/or depressed surface simulating linen, leather, hammered or other pattern. Also known as textured or patterned finish.

  • Felt finish

    Paper with a subtle patterned surface giving a soft, felt-like appearance.

  • Kraft Paper

    A strong, unbleached paper used for manufacturing plain wrapping paper, bags and large envelopes. Also known as "brown paper" and is available in a range of weights and finishes.

  • Laid Paper

    Paper with a more pronounced patterned of parallel lines giving the surface a ribbed appearance.

  • Laser Guaranteed

    Papers that are manufactured specifically for easy use with laser printers.

  • Linen finish

    Paper with an embossed surface simulating the pattern of linen cloth.

  • Matt finish

    Papers with a flat, non-glossy surface finish.

  • Metallic Paper

    Paper coated with a thin film of plastic or pigment that gives a metallic effect.

  • Recycled Paper

    New paper made in part or entirely from reclaimed waste paper.

  • Satin or Silk finish

    Alternate term for dull finish on coated papers.

  • Smooth finish

    A general term applying to the surface finish of various coated and uncoated papers.

  • Specialty Papers

    A category that includes selected uncoated papers of most varieties that aren't "run of the mill". Most often used for invitations, gift and greeting cards, letterheads and envelopes.

  • Tint

    A general term used to describe a coloured paper. Produced by adding dyes to paper pulp during manufacture, tints vary from subtle to bright.

  • Tooth

    Describes the finish of a porous paper such as vellum, which has a "rougher" or more "toothy" surface than most.

  • Translucent Paper

    Papers which are see-through – from tracing paper through to coloured and iridescent sheets.

  • Uncoated Paper

    Any paper that has not received a clay coating during manufacture. This paper is referred to as offset paper.

  • Vellum finish

    Papers with a rough or "toothy" finish.

  • Virgin Paper

    Paper made exclusively of wood pulp or cotton, as distinct from recycled paper.

  • Wove finish

    In most cases, a fine textured paper manufactured without visible wire marks.

How to Buy

Back to top ↑

Because paper can come in a varied range of sizes and weights, we've implemented a helpful interface to ensure you get the right paper to suit your needs.

  1. Select your desired paper size. Available paper sizes are indicated in a dark grey and can be clicked. Your selected paper size will be highlighted in blue.

  2. After selecting your paper size the available grammages for that paper will be available to select. Click the drop-down box to see a list of available grammages. Click your desired grammage to select it.

  3. Once you have selected your desired paper size and weight, enter in the amount you wish to purchase. Papers and envelopes can be sold in units of individual sheets or as packs of many sheets.

  4. After specifying the paper size, grammage and quantity, a detailed summary of your product configuration along with the unit cost and total amount for the product order.

  5. Press the "Add to Cart" button to add the configured product to your shopping cart to then checkout or continue shopping.

Customer Service

Our Stores

Come in and visit us at one of our stores:

South Melbourne
259 Coventry Street
South Melbourne 3205
Phone 03 9682 9414
Fax 03 9682 9430

Mon–Fri 9–5pm
Sat–Sun 10–3pm

Richmond
597 Church Street
Richmond 3121
Phone 03 9421 5322
Fax 03 9421 4584

Mon–Fri 9–5pm
Sat 10–4pm
Sun 12–4pm