Definition: The actual, physical thickness of a piece of paper, usually expressed in thousandths of an inch, is the bulk of the paper. Bulk affects the flexibility of paper and desktop printers can have difficulty with papers that are too thick.
Paper weight and thickness (bulk) may have little or no noticable effect on printed image quality. However, heavier, thicker papers feel more substantial and can lend visual weight to a project.
Heavy weight paper can lend an aura of importance and seriousness not found in flimsier products. This is especially true in business cards. Often thin paper screams cheap desktop printing even without the telltale perforations from some perforated business cards papers.
Papers with more bulk hold up well when there is heavy ink coverage. For full color photos from your desktop, thicker inkjet photo papers are best. However, some desktop printers may not handle thicker papers well, especially if the printer doesn't have a straight paper path.
Also Known As: caliper
