100 lb paper is a heavier stock used across commercial printing and in-house production. It sits between everyday 20 lb bond and rigid card stock, giving you a substantial feel without the stiffness of a full cover weight. This 100 lb text weight paper is built for full color brochures, flyers, menus, presentations, and customer-facing pieces where print quality and hand feel both matter.
Features and Benefits
This 100 lb paper delivers high opacity for minimal show-through on two-sided printing. The smooth finish holds full color photographs and fine text sharply, making it a strong fit for design proposals and high-end brochures. It's acid and lignin free for archival quality, so finished pieces won't yellow over time.
You can score and fold 100 lb text paper without cracking, which is why it works well for saddle-stitched booklets and tri-fold brochures. It also holds embellishments better than lighter paper and gives each piece a more substantial feel in hand compared to 80 lb text stock.
Product Specifications
Paper weight: 100 lb text (approximately 150 GSM). Finish: smooth, white. Sheet size: 12 x 18. Packaging: ream (500 sheets) or case (1,000 sheets). Acid and lignin free. For a heavier, rigid stock, see our 100 lb cardstock paper supplies. For a lighter option, browse our 80 lb cardstock for cards.
What Does 100 lb Paper Mean?
In the U.S., paper weight is measured in pounds per ream (500 sheets at the parent size). The "100 lb" label tells you how heavy that ream is, but the actual thickness depends on the paper type. That's why 100 lb text paper and 100 lb cover paper are not the same thickness, even though both carry the same weight number.
100 lb text stock is roughly 150 GSM, substantially heavier than standard copy paper but still flexible enough to fold. 100 lb cover stock is approximately 270 GSM, a true card stock that's much thicker and stiffer. On this product page, you're looking at 100 lb text weight paper with a smooth, white finish.
What 100 lb Paper Is Used For
100 lb text paper handles a wide range of printing projects where you need a step up from everyday stock. Common applications include full color brochures, flyers, postcards, restaurant menus, wedding programs, event handouts, design proposals, presentation covers, and posters. It works especially well for two-sided printing and saddle-stitched book interiors where show-through would be a problem.
For projects requiring a heavier, rigid stock (business cards, book covers, or luxury invitations), select a 100 lb cover weight or similar card stock instead.
100 lb Paper Weight Compared
100 lb Text vs. 80 lb Text
The difference between 100 lb and 80 lb text paper comes down to thickness, stiffness, and feel. 80 lb text is lighter and more flexible, a solid choice for short-term handouts and everyday color printing. 100 lb text paper is thicker and stiffer, and it resists show-through more effectively on two-sided jobs. If your project calls for a bit more durability and a more professional hand, 100 lb is the better fit. For simpler work where weight isn't a deciding factor, 80 lb stock can save cost for single-sided pieces.
100 lb Text vs. 100 lb Cover
100 lb text and 100 lb cover share the same basis weight number but belong to different paper categories with different parent sheet sizes. The thickness difference is large. 100 lb text is approximately 150 GSM, smooth, flexible enough to fold without cracking. 100 lb cover is approximately 270 GSM, in the card stock range: heavy, rigid, built for business cards, postcards, wedding invitations, and book covers.
Printer and Press Compatibility
100 lb text paper is compatible with most commercial offset and digital presses, and it runs through many production laser and inkjet printers. Check your printer's weight capacity before a full run. Most machines that accept stock up to 80 lb cover or heavier will handle 100 lb text without issues. For offset, this stock accepts ink well on coated and uncoated finishes. On digital presses, feed through the bypass tray and run a test sheet to check feeding, curl, and toner adhesion.
For specialty media beyond standard text and cover weights, browse the full printing paper supplies collection, which includes Omnilux gloss text paper, Accent Opaque laser paper, and fine art dual-sided paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does 100 lb Paper Mean?
It means the stock weighs 100 pounds per standard ream at its parent sheet size. 100 lb text and 100 lb cover are different paper types: 100 lb text is roughly 150 GSM, while 100 lb cover is approximately 270 GSM. For card stock options, review our 100 lb cardstock paper.
Is 65 lb or 100 lb Cardstock Thicker?
100 lb card stock is thicker and stiffer than 65 lb card stock. 65 lb cover is a lighter card stock often used for report covers, while 100 lb cover is a heavy, rigid stock suited for business cards, postcards, and wedding invitations. 100 lb cover will feel more substantial in hand and hold up better with frequent handling.
What Does 100 lb Paper Feel Like?
100 lb text paper feels noticeably heavier than standard copy paper, with a smooth, firm quality similar to a high-end magazine page. You can fold it without cracking, and it holds its shape well. 100 lb cover paper feels like a stiff card stock, similar to a business card. Browse related stock in our printing paper and media collection.
How Thick Is 100 Weight Paper?
Thickness depends on the paper type. 100 lb text paper is approximately 150 GSM (roughly 6 mil). 100 lb cover paper is approximately 270 GSM (roughly 10 mil). For folding pieces like brochures and menus, 100 lb text gives you a substantial feel without the rigidity of card stock.
What Is 100 lb Paper in GSM?
100 lb text paper converts to approximately 150 GSM. 100 lb cover converts to approximately 270 GSM. GSM (grams per square meter) provides a direct comparison across paper types, useful when placing orders internationally. For additional stock options, see our carbonless paper and envelopes collections.
Shop 100 lb paper stock at Printing Supplies Direct. All orders ship with free shipping to the contiguous 48 states. For product questions or help placing your order, call 860-516-6393 or email info@printingsuppliesdirect.com.
