Which of the following is a characteristic of paper weight?

Paper weight is primarily determined by its thickness, which directly influences how heavy a ream of paper feels and its overall durability. The weight of paper is usually measured in grams per square meter (GSM) or in pounds based on a ream of 500 sheets of a specific size. Thicker paper generally has a higher weight, leading to increased sturdiness and suitability for different applications, such as business cards, brochures, or posters.

While the other characteristics—color, texture, and opacity—are important attributes of paper, they do not define a paper's weight. Color relates to the visual appearance, texture refers to how the surface feels, and opacity determines how much light passes through the paper. However, none of these characteristics directly correlate with the concept of paper weight. Understanding that thickness is the fundamental aspect of paper weight helps in selecting the correct type of paper for printing or crafting projects based on their intended use.