Understanding Paper Specs: LB vs PT Paper Weight Explained
When you are preparing to order massive amounts of commercial printing, the paper terminology can be incredibly confusing. You will see paper measured in ‘Pounds’ (LB) and ‘Points’ (PT). Misunderstanding these measurements is the easiest way to accidentally order a flimsy business card or a completely rigid, unbendable magazine page.
The Difference in Measurement
These two terms measure entirely different physical properties of the paper.
- The LB Measurement: LB (Pounds) measures the physical weight of 500 sheets of that specific paper stacked together. It is typically used for thinner, flexible papers.
- The PT Measurement: PT (Points) measures the exact physical thickness of a single, individual sheet of paper using a micrometer. It is used strictly for heavy, rigid cardstocks.
The Raven32 Recommendation
It is easy to get lost in the math, so we keep it simple. As your printing and promotional experts, our absolute rule of thumb is this. You should always use LB weights for flexible flyers and inside magazine pages, and strictly use PT weights for ultra-thick business cards and highly rigid direct mail postcards. Contact us today to select the perfect paper for your project.