How many times has a cloth vendor sold you a fabric on the pretext of GSM?

Do you also feel the need to be acquainted with the thorough flowing concept the apparel manufacturers boast about always?

Well, we’ve got a complete answer to all your questions!

GSM is the acronym for grams per square metre in fabric.

It defines the metric measurement of the weight of a fabric.

Definitely, the weight of the fabric is, quite an odd thing to hear at the first say, but it is definitely the major deciding factor most of the times.

This measurement helps one decide the best weight to buy, considering the usage of the material at hand. GSM decides how dense actually your fabric would be.

Fabric density is a concept that depicts the thickness of your fabric. Now it is a clearly understood fact is that the thicker your fabric is, the greater amount of yarn or thread has been put into it to give it the final shape.

And absolutely, the higher the GSM number, the denser the fabric will be. For example, if the label on a linen shirt reads 180-200 GSM, it would mean that the shirt material would be thick and would probably keep one warm. On days that are a subtle mix of cold and hot, implying a change of season, the best pick would be a shirt that is 130-150 GSM which is bound to be airy and flimsy.

When all of this is said about GSM, we need to have a look on how is it measured?

GSM CALCULTION:-

GSM= (AVERAGE SAMPLE WEIGHT x 1000)/SAMPLE FABRIC AREA

To be more precise,

If:-

Total Weight of fabric = 15.5 Kg

Length of fabric = 35 meters

Width of fabric in open form = 1.65 meters

Then, GSM would be calculated as:-

Area of the fabric:-

Fabric length = 35 meters

Fabric width = 1.65 meters

Fabric area = Length x width

= 35 x 1.65

= 57.75 meters square

Weight of 57.75 Meter square is 15.5 Kg, that is,

15500 grams (15.5 x 1000)

So weight of one square meter = 15500 / 57.075

= 268.39 grams per square meter

A common misinterpretation among consumers is about GSM and Oz specifications mentioned on apparels.

There is no difference between the both, rather, these are just ways of expression:-

Divide the GSM by 33.906 , and you get the measure the other way around.

This would mean,

268.9 gsm= 7.93 oz/yd

(Dividing 268.9 by 33.906, is this what you get?

Take a minute, just check out!)

And really that is all.

Conversely, to determine gsm from oz/yd2 you do the reverse - multiple by 33.906.

How many times has a cloth vendor sold you a fabric on the pretext of GSM?

Do you also feel the need to be acquainted with the thorough flowing concept the apparel manufacturers boast about always?

GSM MYTHS AND ILLUSIONS:- THE TRUTH BUSTED

A common question asked by consumers for clothing or linen, is the meaning behind the GSM label in fabrics. The same rule applies to towels, upholstery linen and all types of clothing ranging from winter to summer wear.

It is more than true that a higher GSM fabric would be more durable than a comparatively lesser one, and yet you see that most people fall a trap to vendors fooling them on the hearsay that if they purchase the latter, their garment won’t last long.

Is it true that apparels with high GSM are always the best?

No!

GSM is a measure of fabric density, but not an assurance that the densest fabric would be the most appropriate one.

Now say, is 240 GSM hoodie good or not?

The answer would lie on scrutinising the use of the hoodie!

If you’re thinking of purchasing such a hoodie for a hot weather occasion, you are sure to land in a huge problem my friend!

The heavy fabric will make you experience the “summer scratches”, for sure!

You need to be aware that the use of fabric always has an upper hand in deciding it’s suitability than all other factors, including the GSM.

For consumers shopping for promotional shirts, they can opt to buy 100-110 GSM shirts, as these would only be worn a very few times and even if it fades after each wash, it probably doesn’t really matter.

On the other hand, a heavy linen shirt for a formal meeting would make sense possessing a gsm greater than 200.

Therefore, the next time you see the value of a fabric’s GSM, think about the purpose for purchase. Here’s a breakdown of fabric GSM to explain this better:

Lightweight fabrics: chiffon, linen, organza, cheesecloth, lace, voile, mesh.

Medium weight fabrics: face towels, hand towels, bath towels, pool towels, sateen, oxford, velvet, taffeta.

Heavy weight fabrics: face towels, hand towels, bath towels, pool towels, upholstery fabric, canvas, brocade, poplin, denim.

Lightweight fabrics are mostly used in the manufacturing of summer clothes and innerwear, while heavy weight, dense materials are popularly used for upholstery and furnishing.

Now you know why denim jeans last a lifetime, and why delicate organza blouses require careful hand washes. This begs the next question; is there a correlation between the GSM of fabric, or the weight of a fabric and its price?

The answer is ‘yes’. Simply because more raw materials of better quality would be used to weave fabrics that are higher in weight. This would result in them being higher in price too.

This is why a 210gsm luxury shirt is more expensive than its lighter 130gsm beach shirt counterpart. It all boils down to the weight, and by extension, the durability of the material or fabric. A heavier fabric is expected to last longer by withstanding the effects of washing, drying and regular wear.

Having read all of this, you’re never gonna face GSM troubles any more, and that’s a promise! ;)