Paper Thickness - Default, and Various in mm - ?

[JRSeese]

I really am brand new at this. I am one of those backwards yankees who measures with his feet (heh) and so I am confused by some of the paper thickness requirements I am seeing. I thought I could sidestep the issue by purchasing my kits by mail as opposed to as download files, but I am finding that even preprinted kits include instructions to laminate some parts on thicker card.

Is there an easy way to translate mm thickness into a given US standard weight or type of paper? Or layman's concept, such as (cereal box, moving box, shirt insert, postcard...) Or do I need to buy calipers? :wink:

Examples:
0.35 mm card
1.00 mm card

I have a ruler with mm measurements, is 1.00 mm really THAT thick? It's nearly half an inch!

Is there a "usual" thickness for card models? I have heard that 65# weight paper is pretty standard... I bought an old model that is on flimsy paper, almost like children's construction paper. I'm guessing I will have to glue the entire sheets to some card before I start...

Thanks for helping and please forgive my ignorance

Josh

[Sticky Fingers]

JR, 1.00mm is .0394" not about 1/2". The pretty much standard technique for applying one sheet to another is to use a spray adhesive like 3M Super 77. I personally don't use it or the Elmers Spray adhesive because I can go to Home Depot, Menards or any similiar big box store and get the knock-off versions for about a third of the price. The beauty of this stuff is no wrinkling. However you only get one shot at placement. For backing up the printed sheet you can use the chip board on the backs of pads of paper or even mat or illustration board. Personally I would not use poster board, but that is my opinion. As for the thickness of the the various card stocks generally 65LB is around .008", 90LB is .009" and 110LB is pretty close to .010". Several web sites to read through are the Steve Brown FAQ that is in the links section and the How to page at Digital Navy's web site. Also Sauls web site is in the link section

PS Welcome to the insanity :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Gecko23]

>I have a ruler with mm measurements, is 1.00 mm really THAT thick? It's nearly half an inch!

You misread that, 1cm is a bit less than 1/2". 1mm is 1/25th or so of an inch.

Your list is right on, most single ply cardboard is about 1mm, and I've used all kinds of stuff. (cereal boxes, shirt boxes, various inserts, etc.)

I've found that 3 plys of 110lb come real close to 1mm, and 2 plys of 65lb is close to .5mm.

I wouldn't go and glue up that flimsy paper just yet, if may have been done that way to make construction easier. Of course it may just be a publisher being cheap too. :)

[JRSeese]

>I have a ruler with mm measurements, is 1.00 mm really THAT thick? It's nearly half an inch!

You misread that, 1cm is a bit less than 1/2". 1mm is 1/25th or so of an inch.

I had a feeling!!

Thanks to all the posters, that's all the information I should need - wish me luck!

JR