Printing Lingo: What does -�Caliper-� mean in reference to Paper?
In the US, a paper's caliper is expressed in thousandths of
an inch. For instance, the caliper of 20# bond paper averages around four
thousandths of an inch (4/1000ths or .004").
What is a Point?
Sometimes, the caliper of various papers is given as "Points." In this case, each point refers to 1/1000th of an inch or .001".
The point nomenclature is generally used for
thicker papers and cardstocks, such as 10PT (.010"), 12PT (.012"), 14PT (.014"),
etc. The higher the "point" designation, the thicker the stock.
What is a Mil?
Occasionally, you may also see the caliper of a substrate conveyed as "Mil." Mil is an engineering term for 1/1000th of an inch (.001").
Some people may assume Mil is short for
millimeter, but that is not the case. The term "Mil" actually originates from
the French word "Mille" which means one thousand.
Laminate film, which is sometimes applied over a printed
piece to add sheen and durability, is almost always designated by its Mil
thickness. For example, 1.5MIL laminate (.0015") or 5MIL laminate (.005").
As you can see, there are various ways in which the caliper
of a given substrate might be communicated. For example, 10/1000ths of an inch can
be expressed as .010", 10PT or 10MIL.
If you have an upcoming print project, give Formax Printing
a call at 866-367-6221. Or, if you already know your specs, click here to submit
our easy quote form. As always, we look forward to assisting you!
Take care!
Rick