Caliper – Microns, Points & Measurement Devices

Caliper is a term used to describe the measurement of paper thickness. This measurement, often referred to as “paper caliper,” plays an important role in understanding how printer paper feels and performs, as it is closely related to paper weight and overall quality. Whether for printing, packaging, or design, we’ll explore what a paper caliper is, how it’s measured, and why it matters.

Definition: Caliper

While “calipers” (BE: callipers) is a tool used to measure the length, width, thickness, and diameters of an object or hole, the term “caliper” (BE: calliper) or “paper caliper” refers to the measurement of how thick a sheet of paper or other materials is. Internationally, caliper is measured in microns (µm), while in North America, it’s expressed in points (pt).

Caliper vs. paper weight

The difference between paper weight and caliper is that caliper measures thickness, while weight measures mass. Although paper thickness affects paper weight, they’re not the same. For example, two sheets of paper with the same paper size and weight can have different calipers if they are made from different materials or have different coatings.

Microns vs. points

As mentioned before, caliper can be measured in either microns or points. Both will be explained below.

Measurement devices

There are two types of precision measuring devices when it comes to paper thickness: with a micrometer or a thickness gauge.

A micrometer is the most common device and can be divided into the traditional analogue type or a digital model. In the picture above you can see the traditional version, whereas the digital version has a screen and buttons beneath or right next to the clamp.

1. To accurately measure caliper, it’s important to clean the anvil and spindle.
2. You can then place the paper between them and turn the thimble to lock it in place.
3. Read the value on the main scale H (in units of 0.5 mm) and the scale on the thimble (in units of 0.01 mm).
4. The values are then added, e.g., 0.10 + 0.02 = 0.12 mm → 120µm

A thickness gauge is another option for measuring paper thickness. While it can also measure materials such as sheet metal or plastics, it’s often used in printing for quick checks of paper thickness. It also exists as a traditional model with a scale and as a digital model with a screen. Thickness gauges employ a spring-loaded mechanism to hold the material in place. This mechanism ensures consistent measuring by not compressing the material too much.