Printing Paper: Text Weight vs Cover Weight Explained

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Choose the Right Paper Stock for Your Print Project

Understanding the difference between Text Weight and Cover Weight is essential when selecting paper for print projects, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood concepts in commercial printing.

This article breaks down the differences in clear, easy-to-understand language, helping you confidently select the right paper for books, brochures, marketing materials, and more.

Why Paper Weight Matters in Printing

Paper selection affects far more than just appearance. The stock you choose directly impacts:

• Perceived quality and professionalism
• Durability during handling, shipping, and use
• Folding and binding performance
• Mailing costs and total project weight
• Overall production cost

In many cases, the choice of paper can have as much impact on a project's overall presentation as the design itself.

What Is Text Weight Paper?

Text Weight refers to a class of paper that is lightweight and flexible. Its lighter construction makes it an ideal choice for multi-page bound documents or projects that require folding.

Available as a coated or uncoated stock, text weight paper is considered the industry standard for the interior pages of books and booklets. It is also a popular choice for brochures, catalogs, flyers, comics, magazines, newsletters, and letterhead.

In the US, paper is commonly identified by its basis weight in pounds. This is determined by the weight of 500 sheets (one ream) in the paper's parent sheet size. Parent sheets are large sheets of paper that come straight from the paper mill. Each category of paper has a fixed parent sheet size, which represents the basic size from which the weight of paper is figured.

The basic size varies depending on the paper category, but the basis weight of any given paper stock is always based on 500 sheets of the paper in its basic size. In the case of text weight paper, the basic sheet size (parent sheet) is 25" x 38". So if 500 sheets in this size weigh 60 pounds, the stock is labeled as 60# (or 60lb). Likewise, if 500 sheets in this size weigh 100 pounds, the stock is labeled as 100# (or 100 lb). When comparing text weight stocks, the higher the number, the thicker the sheet.

Common Text weights include:

• 50# (very light)
• 60# (light)
• 70# (light-medium)
• 80# (medium-heavy)
• 100# (heavy)
  
  
  
  

What Is Cover Weight Paper?

Cover Weight paper is significantly thicker than text weight. It is designed for durability and structural strength, making it ideal for book covers and premium marketing pieces.

Heavier cover weights, often referred to as cardstocks, are the perfect choice for printed items that require added rigidity, such as postcards, table tents, business cards, and presentation folders.

Just like text weight paper, cover weight paper is available as a coated or uncoated stock.

Some lighter cover stocks are described using their weight in pounds while heavier cover stocks are described using the measured thickness (caliper) of the paper.

As mentioned earlier, when a paper is denoted by its weight in pounds (# or lb) this is determined by the weight of 500 sheets in the paper's basic sheet size. The basic sheet size (also known as the parent sheet size) of cover paper is 20" x 26". So if 500 sheets in this size weigh 80 pounds, the stock is labeled as 80# (or 80lb). Likewise, if 500 sheets in this size weigh 100 pounds, the stock is labeled as 100# (or 100 lb). When comparing cover weight stocks, the higher the number, the thicker the sheet.

For heavier cover stocks that are described using the measured thickness of the paper, the thickness will be shown as "points" (pt), where one point equals 1/1000ths of an inch or .001".

For example, 10pt cardstock equates to a thickness of .010". Likewise, a 12pt stock is .012" thick, a 14pt stock is .014", and a 16pt stock is .016".

Common Cover weights include:

• 80# (light cover)
• 100# (medium cover)
• 10pt (light cardstock)
• 12pt (medium cardstock)
• 14pt (heavy cardstock)
• 16pt (extra heavy cardstock)

One thing worth pointing out is that Text weights and Cover weights are not directly comparable on a 1:1 basis. For example, 80# and 100# Cover papers are significantly thicker and stiffer than 80# and 100# Text papers even though they are denoted with the same weight values. Though the weight numbers may match, the physical properties do not.

Cover papers weigh more per sheet because the basic sheet size for this category is only 20" x 26", compared to the 25" x 38" basic sheet size for text papers. Since the weight of a paper is based on 500 sheets in its basic sheet size, a smaller parent sheet will naturally result in a thicker stock if the overall weight of 500 sheets is the same. If you find this confusing, here's a more detailed explanation of paper weights: Paper Weights Explained: The Meaning of Paper Basis Weight

When to Use Text Weight vs Cover Weight

Choose Text Weight When:

• You want less bulk for your multi-page document
• You prefer pages that are easier to turn
• The project involves folding and mailing
• A lower cost point is a top priority
• You need a lighter, more flexible piece

Choose Cover Weight When:

• Durability is important
• The piece must stand upright or hold its shape
• You're creating book covers or single-sheet marketing pieces
• The project would benefit from a stock with greater opacity
• You want a premium, high-impact feel
  
  

Color Vision is here to help!

Color Vision has been producing high-quality printing at affordable rates for over 40 years. So if you need help figuring out the best paper to use for a particular printing project, get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.

Just give us a call at 800-543-6299 to discuss your project. Or, if you are looking to get a price quote, use our simple Quote Request form to send us your specifications and we will email a custom quote to you.

Whatever your printing needs may be, we look forward to assisting you!