When it comes to documents, papers come in different sizes to cater to different needs. The different sizes and weights of envelopes, boards, card blanks and papers often create confusion especially for those who are new to the craft.
ISO is the system of standardized paper sizes. Almost all developed countries have already adopted this system except for the United States of America and Canada. In the ISO system of standard paper sizes, the height to width ratio of all pages is equal to square root of two or 1.4142 is to 1. In other words, the height and the width of a page, such as the A4 card, relate to each other like the diagonal and the sides of a square. This aspect ratio is especially convenient for sizes of papers.
Under this system, the letter “A” preceded by a number is used to indicate paper sizes. Most widely used sizes are A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6. The A4 card is the most popular size and people are familiar with this one than any other sizes because it is the same paper size used in printing. It is also the A4 card that can readily be used as a reference point for the other sizes.
The A4 card measures 210 x 297 in millimeters. Then, as the numbers go up, the actual paper goes smaller. A5 pertains to the size half of an A4 card and A6 is half of A5. Conversely, as the number after the letter decreases, the paper size becomes bigger. Thus, A3 is twice the size of the A4 card, A2 is twice the size of A3 and A1 is twice that of the A2. A blank paper or card that is sized at A5 is generally just an A4 folded to the A5 size.
The weight of the paper is another way to go when working with paper. This is oftentimes referred to as GSM or “mic”. GSM stands for grams per square meter of a particular paper. When an A4 card is said to be 200 gsm it is already classified as board and means that it is somewhat thicker. However, it should be noted that you a need a sturdy paper that can hold up on its own, you should choose those that are already classified as boards and the weight should not be less than 220 gsm.
ISO is the system of standardized paper sizes. Almost all developed countries have already adopted this system except for the United States of America and Canada. In the ISO system of standard paper sizes, the height to width ratio of all pages is equal to square root of two or 1.4142 is to 1. In other words, the height and the width of a page, such as the A4 card, relate to each other like the diagonal and the sides of a square. This aspect ratio is especially convenient for sizes of papers.
Under this system, the letter “A” preceded by a number is used to indicate paper sizes. Most widely used sizes are A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6. The A4 card is the most popular size and people are familiar with this one than any other sizes because it is the same paper size used in printing. It is also the A4 card that can readily be used as a reference point for the other sizes.
The A4 card measures 210 x 297 in millimeters. Then, as the numbers go up, the actual paper goes smaller. A5 pertains to the size half of an A4 card and A6 is half of A5. Conversely, as the number after the letter decreases, the paper size becomes bigger. Thus, A3 is twice the size of the A4 card, A2 is twice the size of A3 and A1 is twice that of the A2. A blank paper or card that is sized at A5 is generally just an A4 folded to the A5 size.
The weight of the paper is another way to go when working with paper. This is oftentimes referred to as GSM or “mic”. GSM stands for grams per square meter of a particular paper. When an A4 card is said to be 200 gsm it is already classified as board and means that it is somewhat thicker. However, it should be noted that you a need a sturdy paper that can hold up on its own, you should choose those that are already classified as boards and the weight should not be less than 220 gsm.