What is board weight (GSM)?
Board weight is the mass of one square meter of board in grams, shown as GSM (grams per square meter). It hints at thickness and stiffness but does not decide either on its own; different boards with the same weight can differ in thickness and rigidity.
As the weight goes up, board is usually thicker and stiffer; lower weights are more flexible. But the number alone can mislead: the type, fiber structure and coating of the board give a different thickness and feel even at the same weight. So ask for thickness and board type along with the weight.
The right weight is not a single number; it depends on the product. The weight of the contents, whether the box is used on the shelf or in shipping, the number of folds and the finish plan, such as soft touch, foil or emboss, all affect the decision. A board that is too thin cannot carry a heavy product, and one that is too thick can crack at the folds and raises cost needlessly.
A higher weight is not always better. Fold quality, finish compatibility and budget matter at least as much as stiffness. Processes such as creasing and embossing are also set according to the thickness of the board.
The practical route is to discuss the board type and the target feel with your supplier, take the weight range from them, and ask for a sample on premium jobs. Which weight suits which box is specified by your printer or supplier.
How you do this in Grapxo
Grapxo assumes a 300 g/m² board when calculating creases and writes it as a suggestion in the die-cut PDF info box and the printer info sheet; you cannot change the weight from the brief. If you use a different board, the printer recalculates the die for that thickness. The printer's or supplier's spec comes first.
For more, see Choosing board weight for cosmetic boxes.
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