Paper Stock for Invitations: GSM, Thickness, and “What It Feels Like”

If you’ve ever ordered invitation paper online, you’ve probably seen three different numbers fighting for your attention:

• GSM (like 300gsm)
• “lb cover” (like 110lb cover)
• “pt” (like 14pt or 16pt)

And none of them tell you the one thing you actually care about:

Will it feel cheap, normal, or “oh wow” when someone picks it up?

Here’s the honest answer: “feel” is a mix of thickness, stiffness, texture, and finish. GSM is part of the story, but it’s not the whole story.

Let’s break it down so you can choose invitation cardstock without guessing.

GSM vs lb vs pt: why paper weights are confusing

GSM (grams per square meter)

GSM is a universal weight measurement. It tells you how much a square meter of the paper weighs.

It’s useful because it’s consistent across countries and paper brands. But it still doesn’t guarantee thickness. Two papers can both be 300gsm and feel very different in hand.

Why? Because different papers have different bulk (how thick they are for their weight).

“lb” (basis weight)

This is where people get tripped up.

“110lb” doesn’t mean the same thing across all paper types. It depends on the category (text, cover, bond, etc.) and the base sheet size used in that category.

So yes, you can see something like “80lb text” and “65lb cover” and the text paper can still be thinner in real life. That’s not a typo. That’s how the system works.

pt (points) / caliper

This is the closest thing to “feel” because it’s literally thickness.

• 1pt = 0.001 inch
  So 14pt is about 0.014 inches thick.

If you want the fastest shortcut to “will this feel thick?” look for pt or caliper.

Thickness and caliper: the number that actually changes the “feel”

When people say “thick invitations,” they usually mean one (or more) of these:

1. More caliper (thicker sheet)
2. Higher stiffness (harder to bend)
3. More texture (your fingers can feel it immediately)
4. A finish that changes the surface feel (soft-touch, coated, etc.)

A few quick rules:

• Thickness (caliper) helps it feel premium even before you print anything.
• Stiffness helps it feel “card-like,” not “paper-like.”
• Texture makes it feel handmade, classic, or artisanal.
• Finish can make it feel silky, slick, velvety, or matte-chalky.

And one more important one:

“Same GSM” does not always mean “same thickness.” Cotton papers and some high-bulk uncoated stocks often feel thicker than you’d expect for the GSM.

Common invitation cardstock ranges (and what they feel like)

Here’s a practical cheat sheet. These are typical ranges you’ll see for invitations.

If you’re stuck: 300gsm is the safe “nice” middle ground. It’s thick enough to feel intentional, but not so thick that printing and mailing become a project.

Finish matters more than you think: coated, uncoated, and texture

Smooth uncoated (wove)

This is the “clean modern” look. Great for:

• minimalist typography
• line art
• letterpress-style designs (even if you’re digitally printing)
• foil accents

It feels natural, slightly toothy, and not shiny.

Coated (matte, satin, gloss)

Coated stocks feel smoother. They’re great for:

• photo-heavy invitations
• designs with big solid ink areas
• super sharp detail

Gloss feels slick. Matte feels smooth but muted. Satin sits in between.

Textured uncoated (linen, laid, felt, eggshell)

Texture is instant “feel.” But it comes with tradeoffs:

• Fine type can lose crispness on heavy texture
• Solid fills can look uneven (because the surface isn’t flat)
• Foil and embossing can “break” on deep texture

If you want texture without chaos, eggshell and light linen are usually the easiest to print cleanly.

Specialty stocks you should actually consider

Specialty stocks are where invitations get fun. Here are the ones worth knowing, plus what they’re like in real life.

1) Cotton paper (100% cotton)

Feel: soft, fabric-like, plush
Look: refined, traditional, “wedding stationery” vibes
Best for: letterpress, engraving, minimal designs, classic suites

Cotton paper is famous because it feels good even before you print. It also takes impressions well (letterpress), and it tends to have that “expensive without being shiny” look.

A common example in the stationery world is Crane’s Lettra, including double-thick options.

2) Duplex / double-thick cover

Feel: rigid and substantial
Look: clean edges, heavy presence
Best for: single-card invites, modern designs, bold typography

Duplex cover can mean a manufactured thicker sheet or two sheets bonded together. Either way, the goal is the same: thickness without needing a folded piece.

3) Vellum (overlays, wraps, belly bands)

Feel: smooth, papery-plastic, translucent
Look: layered and airy
Best for: overlays on top of a main card, subtle patterns, white ink designs

Vellum is gorgeous, but it can be finicky to print. Smudging and ink adhesion are the usual problems. Many people use vellum as a design layer rather than the main invitation.

4) Metallic / pearlescent / shimmer cardstock

Feel: smooth with a slick “sheen”
Look: light-catching, fancy without foil
Best for: elegant suites, night events, holiday invites

Metallic papers can print beautifully, but not every printer loves them. Some finishes behave better with toner-based printing, while certain product lines are designed to be inkjet-friendly.

5) Kraft paper / brown recycled stocks

Feel: earthy, slightly rough
Look: warm, rustic, handmade
Best for: simple black ink designs, minimalist typography, rustic themes

Kraft is more about vibe than perfection. Expect a little variation and a softer print look.

6) Bright white recycled cardstock

Feel: depends on the mill; often slightly toothy
Look: clean but not glossy
Best for: modern designs that still want an eco angle

Recycled doesn’t have to look “speckly brown.” There are very clean recycled covers now. Just pay attention to opacity if you’re printing heavy.

7) Black cardstock (and other dark stocks)

Feel: usually dense and sturdy
Look: dramatic
Best for: foil stamping, white ink, metallic inks

Important note: CMYK printing doesn’t show up well on dark paper. If you want a black invitation with readable text, you’re usually talking about foil, white ink, or specialty printing.

8) Synthetic waterproof paper (polypropylene)

Feel: silky, plastic-like, tear-resistant
Look: bright, crisp, very smooth
Best for: beach weddings, pool parties, anything that might get wet

If your invitation needs to survive water, a synthetic sheet is a legit option. It feels very different than cotton or uncoated cover, so it’s a style choice as much as a functional one.

9) Acrylic, wood veneer, and other “non-paper” invites

Feel: rigid and unique
Look: statement piece
Best for: small runs and wow-factor

These can be stunning. They also raise your risk on:

• mailing (weight and non-machinable)
• scratches
• print durability

I usually treat these as “hand-out invites” or “keepsake versions,” and mail a standard paper version.

10) Seed paper

Feel: rough, fibrous
Look: handmade, speckled
Best for: simple one-color designs

Seed paper is more craft than crisp. It’s a vibe. Just keep detail simple and set expectations.

Match the stock to the printing method (so it doesn’t fight you)

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

Digital printing (toner or inkjet presses)

• Loves smooth stocks
• Can struggle with very heavy thickness or deep texture
• Solid color coverage can look better on coated sheets

Offset printing

• Flexible and consistent
• Handles big runs well
• Works on a wide range of papers

Letterpress

• Best on cotton and soft uncoated stocks
• Thick paper helps because you’re pushing into the sheet

Foil stamping

• Cleanest on smooth stocks
• Heavy texture can cause breaks in foil coverage

Emboss / deboss

• Thicker, softer stocks give the nicest impression
• Cotton and high-bulk uncoated shine here

Don’t forget mailing: thickness, stiffness, and “non-machinable” surprises

This isn’t the fun part, but it matters.

If your invitation is:

• unusually rigid
• square
• lumpy (wax seals, ribbon knots, thick embellishments)
• too thick for letter sorting equipment

…you can get hit with extra postage or require special handling.

A normal invitation suite on 300gsm cover is usually fine. The problems happen when you stack layers, add bulky inserts, and seal it with something that makes the envelope uneven.

My practical advice:

1. Assemble one complete invite exactly like you’ll mail it.
2. Take it to the post office.
3. Have them check weight + machinability.

It saves you from finding out the hard way after you’ve already stamped 200 envelopes.

Conclusion: picking invitation paper without guessing

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

• GSM is weight, not guaranteed thickness.
• Caliper (pt) is thickness, which strongly affects “feel.”
• Finish and texture can matter as much as thickness.
• Specialty stocks (cotton, duplex, vellum, metallic) change the whole personality of the piece.
• And mailing can become the hidden cost if you go thick + bulky.

If you’re choosing paper for a big event, order a sample pack or a few sheets first. Your fingers will tell you more in 10 seconds than a spec sheet will in 10 minutes.