papermass

Papermass is a term used to describe the mass of a sheet of paper, typically expressed as mass per unit area. In professional contexts this quantity is called grammage, measured in grams per square meter (g/m^2). The papermass of a sheet influences many properties, including strength, opacity, stiffness, texture, and suitability for printing.

Grammage is determined by the amount of pulp and additives combined with the forming, pressing, and drying processes during production. In North America, a related concept is basis weight, usually given in pounds for a ream of a specified size. While grammage provides a universal metric, basis weight remains common in certain markets, and conversions between the two depend on sheet size.

Common office papers are typically around 80 g/m^2 (roughly 20 lb bond). Text and copier papers usually range from about 90 to 120 g/m^2. Cover stocks commonly fall in the 200–300 g/m^2 range. Heavier papers (well above 300 g/m^2) are used for specialty applications such as thick cover stock, while very light papers under 40 g/m^2 exist for lightweight or translucent products. The chosen papermass affects print quality, durability, and the tactile feel of the finished product.

In addition to technical use, capitalized Papermass may appear as a brand, project, or artwork name. There is no single universally recognized entity by that title, so context is needed to determine whether the reference is generic or refers to a specific product or organization.