Newsprint
40–52 GSMLow cost, browning over time due to mechanical pulp lignin. ONP grade for recycling.
Brightness
55–62
Opacity
88–92%
Uses
NewspapersDirectoriesFree-sheets
Reference
Paper Grade Guide
Compare 11 major paper and board grades by GSM range, base fibre, coating, brightness, and opacity. Includes a decision guide to help you select the right grade for your application.
NewsprintSC (Super-Calendered)LWC (Lightweight Coated)MWC / HWC (Medium/Heavyweight Coated)Art Coated / ChromeUWF / Bond / CopierKraft / Brown BagDuplex / Grey BoardFBB (Folding Box Board)TissueNewsprint (India)
Grade Comparison Table
All brightness values are ISO brightness (D65 illuminant). GSM ranges are indicative; grades may be produced outside these ranges.
| Grade | GSM Range | Base Fibre | Coating | Brightness (ISO) | Opacity | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newsprint | 40–52 | Mechanical / Recycled | None | 55–62 | 88–92% | NewspapersDirectoriesFree-sheets |
| SC (Super-Calendered) | 40–70 | Mechanical + Chemical | None (heavy calendering) | 68–74 | 90–94% | Consumer magazinesMail-order cataloguesInserts |
| LWC (Lightweight Coated) | 48–72 | Mechanical + Chemical | Single coat, both sides | 70–78 | 91–95% | Mass-market magazinesCommercial printingInserts |
| MWC / HWC (Medium/Heavyweight Coated) | 70–135 | Chemical (woodfree or LWC base) | Double coat, both sides | 80–88 | 94–97% | Premium magazinesBrochuresAnnual reportsArt books |
| Art Coated / Chrome | 90–350 | Chemical (woodfree) | Heavy cast coat, both sides | 88–94 | 96–99% | Premium packagingLabelsLuxury printPharma leaflets |
| UWF / Bond / Copier | 60–200 | Chemical (100% woodfree) | None (some surface-sized) | 80–92 | 90–96% | Office copier/laserOffset printingStationeryBooks |
| Kraft / Brown Bag | 60–400 | Unbleached kraft (softwood) | None | 20–45 | 85–95% | Multiwall bagsGrocery sacksWrappingIndustrial packaging |
| Duplex / Grey Board | 200–500 | Chemical top, recycled base | White top coat | 78–86 | 95–99% | Shoe boxesRigid packagingBook coversGarment boxes |
| FBB (Folding Box Board) | 200–450 | Chemical (GC1/GC2 quality) | Triple coat, white both sides | 85–92 | 97–99% | Food packagingPharma cartonsCosmeticsConfectionery |
| Tissue | 12–35 | Virgin chemical / Recycled | None (creped) | 70–86 | 60–85% | Facial tissueToilet tissueKitchen towelIndustrial wipes |
| Newsprint (India) | 45–52 | Bamboo / Agri-waste / OCC | None | 55–60 | 88–92% | Indian newspapersVernacular pressDirectories |
Grade Details
Technical notes and application context for each grade.
SC (Super-Calendered)
40–70 GSMAchieves smoothness and gloss without coating through supercalendering.
Brightness
68–74
Opacity
90–94%
Uses
Consumer magazinesMail-order cataloguesInserts
LWC (Lightweight Coated)
48–72 GSMGood print quality at economical weight. Contains 50–65% mechanical pulp.
Brightness
70–78
Opacity
91–95%
Uses
Mass-market magazinesCommercial printingInserts
MWC / HWC (Medium/Heavyweight Coated)
70–135 GSMBetter ink hold-out and colour reproduction than LWC.
Brightness
80–88
Opacity
94–97%
Uses
Premium magazinesBrochuresAnnual reportsArt books
Art Coated / Chrome
90–350 GSMHigh-gloss or matte finish. Excellent colour fidelity. Cast-coated = mirror finish.
Brightness
88–94
Opacity
96–99%
Uses
Premium packagingLabelsLuxury printPharma leaflets
UWF / Bond / Copier
60–200 GSMPermanent, acid-free when neutral/alkaline sized. Higher brightness grades are whitener-treated.
Brightness
80–92
Opacity
90–96%
Uses
Office copier/laserOffset printingStationeryBooks
Kraft / Brown Bag
60–400 GSMExtremely high tear and tensile strength. Bleached kraft available for food-contact applications.
Brightness
20–45
Opacity
85–95%
Uses
Multiwall bagsGrocery sacksWrappingIndustrial packaging
Duplex / Grey Board
200–500 GSMGrey or brown back, white front. Economical for non-food packaging.
Brightness
78–86
Opacity
95–99%
Uses
Shoe boxesRigid packagingBook coversGarment boxes
FBB (Folding Box Board)
200–450 GSMGC1 = no mechanical pulp. GC2 = mechanical pulp allowed in middle ply. Both food-contact approved.
Brightness
85–92
Opacity
97–99%
Uses
Food packagingPharma cartonsCosmeticsConfectionery
Tissue
12–35 GSMCreped on Yankee dryer for softness. TAD (through-air dried) tissue = premium softness.
Brightness
70–86
Opacity
60–85%
Uses
Facial tissueToilet tissueKitchen towelIndustrial wipes
Newsprint (India)
45–52 GSMIndian mills largely use bamboo, bagasse, and OCC in place of wood pulp. Key grades: Hindustan Newsprint, TNPL.
Brightness
55–60
Opacity
88–92%
Uses
Indian newspapersVernacular pressDirectories
Decision Guide
Choosing the Right Grade
Match your end-use to the appropriate grade using this quick reference. Always verify with your converter or printer for final confirmation.
High-speed newspaper printing
Lowest cost, designed for coldset web offset at high speed.
Consumer magazine on a tight budget
Good colour at economical weight; contains mechanical pulp.
Premium magazine or brand brochure
Superior colour reproduction and gloss; double-coated woodfree base.
Office copier, laser or inkjet printer
Sized for toner/inkjet; permanent and acid-free.
Luxury packaging, cosmetics cartons, pharma
FBB for food-contact compliance; art coated for premium visuals.
Industrial sacks, grocery bags, wrapping
Maximum tensile and tear strength from unbleached long-fibre kraft.
Shoe boxes, garment packaging, book covers
Cost-effective recycled base with white presentation surface.
Facial tissue, hygiene products
Creped or TAD for softness; virgin or recycled furnish options.
Indian newspaper or vernacular press
Bamboo/bagasse/OCC furnish; compliant with Indian BIS specifications.
Need detailed grade specifications or raw material sourcing? Talk to the Papyrus360 team.
Raw material sourcing made simple
Source the right grade
at the right price.
Papyrus360 sources market pulp, recovered fibre, and specialty raw materials for Indian paper mills — backed by 24+ years of trade relationships.