Poster Paper GSM Explained
GSM is paper weight. Higher GSM feels stiffer, resists curl, and reads more “print studio” than copier shop.
Order on Art PaperQuick answer: GSM is grams per square metre. 170 GSM suits short-run event posters; 220 GSM is the everyday wall and café weight; 300 GSM is a rigid art-paper feel for framed décor. PrintPosters prints on 170–300 GSM imported art paper — not 80–130 GSM copier stock.
Neighbourhood shops often print “posters” on thin bond paper that ripples in monsoon humidity and shows through if you hold it to a window. Art-paper GSM is the first thing you feel when the tube is opened. 170 GSM is light enough for flyering and short events, yet still heavier than office printouts. 220 GSM is what most Indian bedroom and café walls should use — it lies flatter in a frame and survives careful handling. 300 GSM is closer to a card or deluxe photo mount: slower to curl, better for silk or matte gifts, and worth it when the poster is the décor, not a disposable graphic. We stock the 170–300 GSM range so you can match weight to how long the print will live on the wall.
Which GSM to order
| GSM | Feel | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | Flexible art paper | Events, fests, short campaigns | More curl if left unframed |
| 220 | Everyday poster weight | Bedrooms, cafés, offices | Still wants a frame or hanger for years |
| 300 | Rigid, premium sheet | Gifts, framed walls, photography | Costs more; overkill for one-night events |
GSM is not the same as finish
- GSM is weight; matte, gloss, and silk are surface coatings
- A 300 GSM gloss still fingerprints; a 170 GSM matte still reads as thin in the hand
- Framed prints hide edge stiffness — unframed hangers show GSM immediately
- Canvas is a different product (400 GSM fabric), not a heavier poster sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 170 GSM too thin for a bedroom wall?
It works in a frame. Unframed, 220 or 300 GSM hangs flatter and feels closer to gallery paper.
Do you use the same GSM as photo prints?
Photo prints use 270 GSM satin photo paper. Posters use 170–300 GSM art paper tuned for graphics, type, and large sheets.
Will higher GSM stop fading?
No. Fade resistance comes from pigment inks and keeping the print out of harsh afternoon sun — GSM is stiffness and opacity.
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