Let’s demystify why a 300-pound art pad isn’t ACTUALLY 300 pounds.
Paper weight isn’t measured by the sheet or pad, but by the whole uncut ream.
These weights weren’t always standardized. In the past, many countries had their own standards for making paper based on the paper’s purpose, local equipment, and production techniques.
As for the proportions of sheet papers, they were influenced by mathematics and philosophical concepts of intrinsic harmony-and many of these sizes are still the standard for art paper today!
Here are some quick facts to demystify paper weights and sizes:
✅ Paper weight is often talked about in pounds, also known as basis weight.
✅ The weight is dependent on the size of the sheets in the ream.
✅ Modern equipment churns out paper of all shapes and sizes, according to set standards that dictate the paper’s weight.
✅ Weight is measured in grams per square meter (gsm), which offers consistency regardless of size.
Questions? Thoughts? Share them below!
👩🏻‍🎨 Presentation by Morgan from our Merchandising team
🎥 Filmed at BLICK Studios in Chicago, Illinois
🎨 Special thanks to Sarah Simon, Joy Ting Charde, Maria Deely, Daniel Villa, and Emily Newman whose artwork we featured here.
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