Which Paper Should I Choose? A Practical Guide to Picking the Right GSM
⚡ Quick Decision Rule
- Reading at home? → 65 GSM at 35p/page
- College assignment? → 75 GSM at 50p/page
- Color projects or presentations? → 85 GSM at ₹2/page
- Thesis or official submission? → 100 GSM at ₹1.90/page
Choosing the right paper weight sounds trivial — until you submit a thesis on 65 GSM or waste money printing rough notes on 100 GSM bond paper. This guide cuts through the jargon and helps you match your actual document to the right paper and price.
1. Bulk Study Notes & Coaching Material
Best for: UPSC notes, coaching handouts, Allen/FIITJEE modules, semester readings, draft revisions
Why this paper: When you're printing 500–2000 pages of study material, paper quality is secondary to cost and readability. 65 GSM is approximately 13% thinner than standard paper but offers perfectly clear laser-printed text.
2. College Assignments & Project Reports
Best for: Lab manuals, seminar reports, internship diaries, general assignments, minor project reports
Why this paper: 75 GSM is the global copier standard — the same paper used in offices and universities worldwide. It handles double-sided printing well for text-dominant documents, with acceptable opacity for daily use.
75 GSM at a glance:
3. Color-Heavy Documents & Presentations
Best for: Design portfolios, marketing pitch decks, color-coded case studies, medical anatomy plates
Why this paper: The 85 GSM mid-tier provides noticeably better color vibrancy and opacity. When you print color diagrams or photographs double-sided, thinner papers cause bleed-through that makes the reverse side unreadable. 85 GSM solves this at a reasonable cost.
85 GSM at a glance:
4. Thesis, Dissertation & Research Submissions
Best for: PhD thesis, M.Tech/M.Sc dissertations, UGC-mandated submissions, Shodhganga uploads, competition memorials
Why this paper: Most Indian universities mandate 100 GSM bond paper for final thesis submissions (UGC guidelines). This paper offers zero show-through, archival durability (lasts 50+ years in climate-controlled storage), and a premium tactile feel that signals professionalism.
100 GSM at a glance:
5. Medical Records, Anatomy Plates & Lab Files
Recommended: 85 GSM or 100 GSM with Color printing
Histology slides, anatomy diagrams, and pharmacology tables rely on precise color differentiation. On 65 or 75 GSM paper, dense color inks can bleed through to the reverse side, making double-sided prints unreadable. Use 85 GSM for cost-effective daily lab work and 100 GSM for final practical file submissions.
6. Resumes, Cover Letters & Professional Documents
Recommended: 100 GSM with Color printing
First impressions are tactile. A crisp 100 GSM resume feels substantial in a recruiter's hand — signaling attention to detail before they read a single word. For bulk campus placement season (10–20 copies), the total cost stays under ₹100, making it an easy upgrade over flimsy 75 GSM.
Complete Pricing Comparison
All prices are per printed side. Double-sided = both sides printed on one physical sheet. All prices in INR (₹).
| Paper | B&W (2-Sided) | B&W (1-Sided) | Color (2-Sided) | Color (1-Sided) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 GSM Economy | ₹0.35 | ₹0.70 | Not available | |
| 75 GSM Standard | ₹0.50 | ₹0.80 | ₹1.00 | ₹1.20 |
| 85 GSM Enhanced | ₹0.85 | ₹1.00 | ₹2.00 | ₹2.50 |
| 100 GSM Bond | ₹1.90 | ₹2.50 | ₹2.50 | ₹3.00 |
Binding Options & When to Use Them
Spiral Binding
₹40
Study notes, lab manuals, daily-use documents. Lies flat when opened.
Soft Binding
₹60
Project reports, seminar reports, internship diaries. Professional look.
Hard Binding
₹100
Final year projects, company reports. Durable, bookshelf-ready.
Thesis Hard Binding
₹300
Gold embossed cover. Required for PhD/M.Tech thesis at most universities.
Still Confused? Use This 3-Step Rule
- Will anyone grade or evaluate this document? → Use 75 GSM or higher
- Does it have color content (diagrams, charts, photos)? → Use 85 GSM or 100 GSM
- Is it just for your own reading? → 65 GSM at 35p is perfect
Related Guides
- The Complete Paper Thickness Guide: 75 GSM to 300 GSM — Deep-dive into material science and paper engineering
- 35p Economy Printing Launched — Full details on our 65 GSM economy paper and disclaimers
- Binding Types Compared — Spiral vs Soft vs Hard vs Thesis binding
- Full Rate Card — Complete pricing with delivery charges and examples
Prices last updated: February 2026. All prices are per printed page/side. Delivery charges are calculated by pincode and shown at checkout. Final order total is rounded up to the nearest rupee.