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What is the difference between high, medium and low density paper stocks?

Question:
What is the difference between high, medium and low density paper stocks?

J.F.

Answer:
The difference between a high, medium and low density sheet is the amount of fiber per sheet. The more fiber in a sheet, the more sturdy it is -- the more strength it has. Density is a term that is only used for board papers and does not refer to the thickness of the sheet. For instance, two papers with different densities could both be 12pt. in thickness.

If you compare the M Weight of a sheet, it becomes more apparent. Compare a 12pt. low density sheet of 23 x 35 that has an M Weight of 270 to a 12pt. medium density sheet of 23 x 35 that has an M Weight of 289. The later, which is the same thickness, has more weight due to the increased fiber content. Since paper still gets sold by the pound, this also means that the price for a medium density sheet is more expensive than the low density one.

This Q&A was answered by the experts at PaperSpecs.com.



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