Grammage
How much a known area of paper weighs. Useful for comparing material weight.
TISSUE PAPER / WEIGHT & FEEL
GSM Tissue Paper Guide
Understand tissue paper GSM, compare 17 and 28 GSM, and choose the weight that fits your packaging. Start with one distinction: GSM measures weight per area, not thickness.
01 / THE MEASUREMENT
One square meter. A clearer comparison.
GSM stands for grams per square meter, written g/m². A nominal 17 GSM paper has a mass of 17 grams for one square meter of material; 28 GSM means 28 grams for the same area. This lets you compare paper weight without confusing a larger sheet with a heavier grade.
GSM = paper mass in grams ÷ area in m²
A 28 GSM sheet is heavier than a 17 GSM sheet of equal area. The number alone does not tell you how thick, opaque, strong or soft either paper is.
02 / WEIGHT IS NOT THICKNESS
More weight does not mean a fixed thickness.
Paper thickness is the distance between its two surfaces, usually expressed in micrometers or millimeters. GSM is mass divided by area. Fiber composition, density, treatment and how the paper is made can change the relationship between those measurements.
There is no reliable universal conversion from tissue paper GSM to microns. If a precise thickness matters for a machine, insert or packing specification, ask for the selected paper’s measured caliper and the test method. Do not infer it from the GSM number.
Thickness
The distance through the sheet. It needs its own measurement and stated conditions.
Feel & coverage
How a particular paper behaves in your hands and over your product. Assess it separately.
03 / READING THE RANGE
A weight map, not a thickness scale.
These example GSM values help place a specification in context. They are not universal industry categories, thickness bands or a promise of availability. TissueMotif’s listed custom tissue options are 17 and 28 GSM.
12–14 GSM
At the lighter end of these examples. Consider the delicacy of the wrap, visibility of the product beneath it and the folds you need.
17 GSM
Our light, flexible option for inner wraps, clothing, accessories and box liners. Start here when you prefer a classic tissue feel.
20–22 GSM
An intermediate weight reference. Do not assume every paper in this range has the same softness, opacity or folding behavior.
24–25 GSM
Another comparison point between our two weights. Check the actual grade, color and finish rather than relying on a category label.
28 GSM
Our fuller-feeling option when you want the tissue itself to have more presence in a gift box or branded presentation.
30–35 GSM
A heavier reference within this example range. Greater mass alone does not establish rigidity, protection, print quality or a particular thickness.
04 / THE TWO OPTIONS
17 GSM or 28 GSM? Choose by use.
Compare the two TissueMotif options at the same sheet size, paper color and quantity. Then consider the feel, folding routine and price that suit your product.
| What to compare | 17 GSM | 28 GSM |
|---|---|---|
| Paper feel | Light and flexible | Fuller and more substantial |
| Visual coverage | A lighter, semi-transparent presentation | Generally greater coverage than our lighter option |
| Packaging direction | Everyday wraps, apparel, accessories and liners | Gift boxes, boutique orders and a fuller presentation |
| Artwork | One artwork color; check the chosen background | One artwork color; check the chosen background |
| Price comparison | Lower starting price in our listed range | Higher starting price in our listed range |
| Thickness in microns | Not determined by GSM alone | Not determined by GSM alone |
Paper color, finish, lighting and folds affect apparent coverage. These are practical product descriptions, not measured opacity percentages or strength ratings. Confirm the current price in Studio; GSM is only one of the price inputs.
05 / A REAL-SIZE CALCULATION
What does one sheet weigh?
Take a nominal 20 × 30 in sheet. Convert its dimensions to meters first, then multiply its area by the GSM. The result estimates the paper’s mass, not its thickness.
Nominal sheet mass = GSM × area in m²
20 × 30 in = 0.508 × 0.762 m
Area = 0.387096 m²
17 × 0.387096 ≈ 6.58 g
28 × 0.387096 ≈ 10.84 g
At equal area, 28 ÷ 17 ≈ 1.65 times the nominal paper mass. That does not mean 1.65 times the thickness.
Calculated from nominal GSM and sheet dimensions. Excludes ink, moisture variation, trimming tolerance and all packaging; this is not a measured product or shipping weight.
06 / BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Start with the way you pack.
A higher GSM is not automatically the better choice. Compare the selected material against the job it needs to do.
Measure the fit
Use your actual product, box or bag. Allow for overlap and folds, then check the sheet dimensions separately from its GSM.
Consider the reveal
Decide whether you want a delicate inner layer or a fuller paper presence. Assess the color and print contrast together.
Compare like for like
Keep size, color and quantity constant when comparing weights. Review the subtotal, unit price and any oversize delivery fee.
Confirm special requirements
For a required caliper, opacity, strength or compliance specification, ask about the selected grade. The GSM number is not evidence of those properties.
PAPER QUESTIONS
The details worth knowing.
What GSM is best for wrapping tissue paper?
It depends on the wrap you want. Our 17 GSM option is light and flexible; 28 GSM feels fuller. Choose the sheet size around the product, then compare the actual paper, color, folds and price. There is no single best GSM for every packaging job.
Is 28 GSM tissue paper opaque?
Do not treat 28 GSM as an opacity guarantee. It generally offers greater coverage than our lighter option, but paper color, grade, lighting and what sits underneath affect the result. Ask about the selected material if a precise opacity level is required.
What is heavy or thick tissue paper?
Those are relative descriptions, not a universal GSM category. Ask which material is being compared, whether thickness has been measured, and what property matters for your use. Heavier paper and thicker paper do not always mean the same thing.
Can I convert GSM to microns?
Not from GSM alone. A conversion would also require reliable density or measured thickness information for that particular paper. Use the supplier’s caliper specification and test conditions when a precise dimension matters.
Does higher GSM mean stronger paper?
GSM alone does not establish tear, tensile or puncture strength. Fiber, construction, treatment and test conditions matter too. Keep the protective packaging your product needs for handling and transit; tissue is a presentation layer.
How thick is 17 GSM tissue paper?
17 GSM specifies a nominal mass of 17 grams per square meter, not a fixed thickness in microns. Different paper grades can have different thicknesses at the same GSM. For a precise specification, request the selected grade’s measured caliper, test method and conditions.
Does this guide apply to bathroom or facial tissue?
This guide is about tissue for wrapping and branded packaging. Hygiene products also involve properties such as ply, absorbency, softness and wet performance. Do not choose them from packaging-paper guidance or GSM alone.
Will a heavier GSM cost more?
Our 28 GSM option has a higher starting price than 17 GSM. Your final total also depends on sheet size, paper color and quantity. Compare the same configuration in Creative Studio instead of assuming a universal price difference.
FROM THE GUIDE TO YOUR PACKAGING
The right feel. The right fit.
Choose 17 or 28 GSM, then set your size, paper color and quantity. See the current price before creating your logo layout.
