The Essential Roles and Uses of GSM and Micron in Packaging Printing
We live in a highly competitive world of product demonstration. This means that packaging is not just a protective covering of a product but it essentially defines brand experience. Regardless of whether your brand sells gourmet foods, luxury items, electronics, or clothing, the quality of your packaging will go a long way in influencing buying decisions. It will also determine the opening impression that a customer has of your brand.
With the right knowledge of Micron and GSM, businesses can create durable and standard packaging boxes. It determines the thickness, strength, and overall performance of all the materials used in packaging. This directly affects the appeal of the final product.
In this article, we share with you the meaning of Micron and GSM, the difference between them, and how to choose what’s right for your brand’s packaging requirements.
What are Micron and GSM?
Micron refers to the thickness of paper or board material in micrometres, measuring its physical depth and giving you an idea of how thick a material you want for your packaging.
On the other hand, GSM or Grams per Square Meter is the weight of a sheet of paper per square meter. This standard unit measures the density and thickness of packaging materials. Hence, if you want your board or paper to be heavier and thicker, you are should be looking for a higher GSM.
Both these elements are essential for choosing the perfect packaging box materials for your brand’s products so that you cannot just get long-lasting packaging but also something visually striking.
GSM v/s Micron
Although Micron and GSM might seem similar, it is important to note that they measure packaging materials in a distinct way. While micron measures the thickness of the material, GSM measures mass, meaning the weight of a square meter of the material. In addition to that, all materials behave differently, so even though two materials might have the same GSM, they might have different microns. At the end of the day, you must be able to measure both aspects accurately and understand the minute difference between them to choose the right packaging material for your products.
Importance of Micron and GSM in Packaging Box
How to Choose the Right Micron and GSM for Your Brand?
Choosing the right Micron and GSM depends on a lot of factors, such as your branding goals, product type, and shipping needs. The following are some tips to select something that works for you:
Luxury Rigid Boxes: Many products need extra care, especially high-end products like jewellery, smartphones, and gourmet food items. Rigid boxes enriched with luxury finishes is perfect blend to stand out. Its thickness should ideally be between 1000-1500 Microns.
Lightweight Products: Use duplex packaging board for items like FMCG, electrical, and light electronics items with 300-400 Microns or 250-350 GSM.
Eco-Friendly Packaging: Sustainability is required when it comes to packaging for organic food, medical products, ayurvedic medicine, and cleaning products.
Shipping: Use higher Micron and GSM for packaging boxes that demand stacking and transit for longevity.
Read Also: How to Choose Right Paper for Your Business Calendar?
In short, always consider your individual needs and test prototypes to make an educated decision about packaging products. Consulting with a packaging box manufacturer is always a good idea.
Packaging companies have team of craftsmen and designers to help you sort out and consult which one is best according to your requirements.
Bottom Line
It is important never to choose packaging materials on the basis of looks alone. You must understand the difference between Micron and GSM for durable, visually compelling, and print-friendly packaging. As mentioned above, for luxury items, go for rigid box material thickness, while for lightweight goods, duplex board is a better choice.
Remember to strike the right balance between customer perception and the protection of your products. Using these tips could make your brand shine and leave your customers with a lasting impression.
