Key points at a glance
- Gsm is the paper’s weight per square metre, not a complete measure of quality.
- Opacity matters when printing on both sides.
- Choose only a paper option offered by the printer and allowed by your university.
What the paper weight tells you
80 and 100 gsm describe the mass of one square metre of paper. A heavier sheet may feel more substantial and reduce show-through, but the number alone does not specify whiteness, coating or print appearance. It should not be your only selection criterion.
For a long thesis, paper also affects the thickness and weight of the book block. For a shorter paper, you may prefer a heavier feel. Check which weights and prices the current order process actually offers.
Judge single- and double-sided pages differently
With double-sided printing, dark text or an image may show through from the reverse. Actual opacity matters more than the gsm number alone. If a sample or test print is available, inspect a high-contrast page in ordinary light.
For example, a manuscript may have a full-page illustration on every second spread. A plain text sample may look fine while the illustration shows through more noticeably. Check representative illustrated pages, not only a convenient text page.
Consider paper within the whole order
Compare the offered stocks using the same PDF, binding and number of copies. Changing paper may affect cost, weight and feel. Also check whether your university specifies a paper weight; a mandatory rule takes priority over a general recommendation.
Avoid the assumption that heavier always means better. A thick block can be less convenient for a long document, and the binding must suit both the page count and the combination the shop offers.
Make a reasoned purchase decision
Decide whether opacity, light weight, tactile feel or price matters most to you. Compare the available choices in the configurator using your real page count. If the material details remain unclear, ask support about the current products.
A screen preview shows content, not the feel of a sheet. Keep the file check separate from the paper decision: fonts, tables and page order must be correct regardless of the paper chosen.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Checked university paper rules.
- Chosen single- or double-sided printing.
- Considered representative image pages.
- Compared actual paper and basket prices.
- Checked binding against page count.
Common mistakes
- Treating gsm as a guarantee of opacity.
- Judging only a plain text page.
- Assuming a stock is offered without checking.
Check printing and binding for your thesis
Upload your checked PDF, compare the available formats, and review the price, preview and delivery options before ordering.
Check the configuratorRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Is 100 gsm always better for a thesis?
Not necessarily. It may feel more substantial, but document length, show-through, rules and available products all matter.
Is 80 gsm suitable for duplex printing?
That depends on the actual stock and printed content. Inspect dark pages or ask about a suitable offered option.
Does paper choice change the price?
It may change the configured total. Compare the choices actually shown in your basket.