When you upload a document for printing, one of the small choices that makes a surprisingly big difference is paper weight. The 80g vs 100g paper question comes up for almost everyone, whether you are a student running off lecture notes, a professional preparing a report, or a Dublin business printing handouts. Both are A4, both print the same text, yet they feel and read differently. This short guide explains the trade-offs honestly so you can pick the right weight for each document with confidence.

What paper weight actually means

Paper weight is measured in gsm (grams per square metre), so 80g is lighter and thinner while 100g is heavier and a touch more substantial. The numbers are not about quality in a good-or-bad sense; they describe the body of the sheet. A higher gsm feels firmer in the hand and lets less light through, which is why heavier paper tends to read as more premium.

80g vs 100g paper: the everyday choice

For most printing, 80gsm is the everyday standard. It is the same weight as typical office and printer paper, so it is ideal for notes, essays, drafts, study material and anything with a high page count. Because it is thinner, a long document stays lighter and more compact, which keeps your parcel slim when it arrives at your door.

  • Lecture notes and revision sheets you will read through or mark up.
  • Essays, assignments and drafts where the content matters more than the feel.
  • High page-count documents where a lighter, neater bundle is welcome.

If you simply need readable, reliable pages and want to keep things compact, 80gsm is the sensible default.

When 100g is worth it

Choose 100gsm when you want the document to feel more professional. The extra body gives pages a crisper, more confident feel, and the heavier sheet has less show-through, so text and images on the reverse are far less visible from the front. That makes a real difference for anything someone will hold, hand over or judge at a glance.

  • CVs and cover letters you want to make a strong first impression.
  • Reports, proposals and presentations for clients or management.
  • Cover pages and any document you want to feel more premium.

The 100gsm option costs a little more per sheet, but for the documents that represent you or your business, it is usually money well spent.

How to choose for your order

Ask yourself one simple question: is this document for everyday use, or does it need to make an impression? Notes, drafts and bulky page counts suit 80gsm; CVs, reports and cover pages suit 100gsm. You can also mix weights across an order, since you set the options for each file you upload. With our online printing service in Dublin, you upload your PDFs (up to 30 files per order, max 20 MB each), pick A4 paper in 80g or 100g, full colour or black and white, and single or double-sided, then choose your number of copies. We print and deliver to your door across Dublin, with Budget weekend delivery from €1.95 or Standard 48-hour delivery at €9.95, and the exact total is shown before you pay with no hidden fees.

Still weighing up which paper is right? Upload your PDF and get an instant quote, see the price for both 80g and 100g in seconds, and order whichever suits your document best.