Choosing GSM for hot and cold drinks

GSM means grams per square metre. It is the weight of the board a glass is made from, and within one kind of board a higher number means a thicker, stiffer wall.

Why the number goes up with the size

A tall glass full of liquid puts more load on its wall than a short one, and the hand holding it squeezes a longer lever. That is why our premium lines step up at 250 ml: 225 GSM for 130 to 200 ml, 275 GSM from 250 ml to 450 ml.

A stiffer wall flexes less in the hand. With a hot, full glass, that is most of what a buyer is paying attention to.

Hot drinks

Tea and coffee make the board warmer and the glass harder to hold. For small servings of chai the regular board is the usual choice. For a 250 or 350 ml hot drink, consider premium board or a ripple glass, which adds a fluted sleeve on 405 or 495 GSM board.

Cold drinks

Our board is PE-lined on the inside face, so the drink stays off the paper. Cold drinks bring a different problem: condensation forms on the outside of the glass. Heavier board keeps its shape longer while it is damp, which is worth weighing for large cold servings that sit on a table.

If you are unsure which board suits your drink, tell us what you serve and at what size when you ask for a quote.