Paper and paper products come in different sizes especially when it comes to crafts and card making. The different sizes and weights of envelopes, boards, card blanks and papers often create confusion especially for those who are new to the craft.
The letter “A” preceded by a number is usually used to indicate paper sizes. Most widely used sizes are A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6. The A4 card is the most popular size and people are familiar with this one than any other sizes because it is the same paper size used in printing. It can readily be used as a reference point for the other sizes.
The A4 card measures 210 x 297 in millimeters. Then, as the numbers go up, the actual paper goes smaller. A5 pertains to the size half of an A4 card and A6 is half of A5. Conversely, as the number after the letter decreases, the paper size becomes bigger. Thus, A3 is twice the size of the A4 card, A2 is twice the size of A3 and A1 is twice that of the A2. A blank paper or card that is sized at A5 is generally just an A4 folded to the A5 size.
If you have already checked out local craft stores, it would be noticeable that most A4 card blanks that are usually purchased for handmade cards are colored white or cream. This is a wise way to approach buying your stock because it would be easier to add in colors to these neutral base.
Another thing to consider when working with blanks is the weight of the cards. This is oftentimes referred to as GSM or “mic”. GSM stands for grams per square meter of a particular paper or card. When an A4 card is said to be 200 gsm it is already classified as board and means that it is somewhat thicker. However, cards should not be less than 220 gsm because if it is, it might not be able to hold up or stand up on its own.
On the other hand, “mic” pertains to microns which is the unit of measurement for the thickness of the card. One thousand microns is equivalent to one millimeter. This gauge is being employed in cases when the paper is textured because it may seem thicker than what the weight indicates.
- Post Time: 12-20-15 - By: http://www.rfidang.com