Side-by-Side Comparison
Paper Weight & Grammage
Bond / Ledger Weight vs. Cover / Cardstock Weight
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Bond / Ledger Weight
Cover / Cardstock Weight
Bond Paper (Basis Weight: Bond, standardized under TAPPI T 410) is a traditional North American paper weight grade defined as the weight in pounds (lbs) of a 500-sheet ream of uncut master sheets measuring 17 × 22 inches. Standard 20 lb and 24 lb Bond are the dominant office copy papers across the US and Canada.
Cover Paper (Basis Weight: Cover / Cardstock, standardized under TAPPI T 410) is a heavy North American paperboard grade defined as the weight in pounds of a 500-sheet ream of uncut master sheets measuring 20 × 26 inches. It is standard for paperback book covers, business cards, presentation folders, and retail packaging.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Master Parent Sheet Size
|
17.0 × 22.0 inches (yields four 8.5 × 11 in Letter sheets per master sheet) | 20.0 × 26.0 inches (yields four 10 × 13 in folder covers) |
|
Standard Ream Basis
|
500 master sheets (17 × 22 in) | 500 master sheets (20 × 26 in) |
|
20 lb Bond Equivalent
|
75.2 gsm (The ubiquitous standard US office copy machine paper) | — |
|
24 lb Bond Equivalent
|
90.3 gsm (Standard for commercial desktop inkjet/laser printing and corporate stationery) | — |
|
28 lb Bond Equivalent
|
105.3 gsm (Heavy presentation paper, double-sided color printing) | — |
|
32 lb Bond Equivalent
|
120.4 gsm (Premium cotton executive resume paper) | — |
|
Cross-Grade Equivalent
|
20 lb Bond = 50 lb Text = ~28 lb Cover | — |
|
60 lb Cover Equivalent
|
— | 162.3 gsm (Light cardstock, index dividers) |
|
65 lb Cover Equivalent
|
— | 175.8 gsm (Standard lightweight greeting card / direct mail postcard stock) |
|
80 lb Cover Equivalent
|
— | 216.4 gsm (Standard commercial trade paperback covers, presentation folders — equals 216 gsm) |
|
100 lb Cover Equivalent
|
— | 270.5 gsm (Heavy premium trade book covers, retail hang tags, quality business cards) |
|
120 lb Cover / 130 lb Cover
|
— | 324 to 352 gsm (Ultra-thick luxury business cards, rigid packaging cartons) |