Paper choice quietly decides whether homemade packaging looks premium or flimsy. Here's a simple guide to what to use for each format. These are typical guidelines, not rules. Printers and papers vary, so always check your printer's maximum paper weight and test a single sheet first.
A quick word on gsm
gsm means grams per square metre. It's the standard measure of how thick and heavy paper is. Ordinary office paper is around 80 gsm. Thin card starts at about 200 gsm and sturdy card is 300 gsm or more.
What to use for each format
| Format | Typical weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soap wraps | 90-120 gsm | Smooth, crisp folds. Greaseproof paper underneath for oily bars. |
| Belly bands | 120-170 gsm | Matte or satin, enough body to wrap neatly. |
| Sleeves | 200-250 gsm | Needs to hold its shape round a box or jar. |
| Hand tags | 250-300 gsm | Stiff enough to hang. Punch the hole after cutting. |
| Backing cards | 250-300 gsm | Check your printer's limit. Earring cards need to be firm. |
| Small boxes | 250-300 gsm | Score every fold before creasing. |
| Gift bags | 150-250 gsm | Heavier is sturdier, up to your printer's limit. |
| Envelopes | 100-150 gsm | About 120 gsm folds cleanly. |
| Labels and stickers | Sticker paper | Match inkjet or laser to your printer. Waterproof vinyl for bath products. |
Finishes
- Matte looks soft and modern and hides fingerprints.
- Satin has a gentle sheen that makes colours richer.
- Gloss is shiny and vivid but shows marks. It can be harder to fold cleanly.
- Uncoated has a natural, handmade feel.
What your printer can actually take
Many home printers handle somewhere up to around 250-300 gsm through a rear or straight-through paper feed, but not all do, and thick card can jam a printer with a curved paper path. Check the manual, use the rear feed if there is one, and feed one sheet at a time.
Things home printers can't do
- Tape and tissue paper: standard tape can't be printed on at home, and thin tissue jams most printers. Print on sticker or washi paper for strips, or use a tissue printing service.
- Foil and glitter finishes: these need professional processes.
Where Pack&Pattern fits
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