Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

• Forms


  • Papers and boards can come in many shapes and forms.
  • These forms can be sheet, roll and ply.
• Ply

  • Ply can be in two sheet or three sheet capability to help with absorption and strength.
• Common papers and board are:

  • Tissue paper.
  • Newsprint paper.
  • Photocopy paper.
  • Photo quality paper.
  • Carton board.
  • Mount board.
  • Cartridge paper.
  • Corrugated card.
• Tissue paper

  • Tissue paper is available in a variety of sizes and colours.
  • They can be sold in ply form and toilet roll.
  • The paper is 10 - 35 gsm and it is highly absorbent.
  • Can be used for packaging and protection.
  • It is also used for arts and crafts but is mainly used for kitchen and toilet roll.
• Newsprint paper


  • Slightly off white colour.
  • Very thin and slightly rough to touch.
  • The paper is 45-55 gsm and it is lightweight.
  • It is uncoated which keeps the cost low.
  • It is commonly used for commercial printing for newspapers and some advertising.
• Photocopy paper


  • The paper is very smooth and comes in standard sizes.
  • The quality is good and unless specified can be supplied in brilliant white.
  • The paper ranges from 70-150 gsm, the weight of the paper is usually reflected in the price.
  • One of the most commonly bought papers for inkjet, laserjet printers and general use.
• Photo quality paper


  • This paper has a very fine smooth finish and is often glossy.
  • The glossy coat is commonly on one side only.
  • The paper ranged from 120- 260 gsm, some printers cannot take the thickest paper and need the correct tray settings to accommodate this.
  • The paper is often used for photographic prints, presentation boards and greeting cards.
• Carton board


  • This is naturally brown or white, it can be coated or uncoated and is a versatile material.
  • It can be printed on one or both sides.
  • The weight of this material has been changed from gsm to microns.
  • Carton board can vary from 200- 1500 microns.
  • This material can be foil lined to hold liquids and foods.
  • Carton board is often used for food containers, packaging and point of sales stands.
• Mount board


  • It has a high-quality finish usually on one side.
  • It is very thick and rigid which helps to produce frame mounts.
  • Mount board cuts well so you achieve a high-quality finish.
  • Mount board can vary from 500 - 2500 microns.
  • Mount board can be used for mounting of art or photography work.
• Cartridge paper


  • It has excellent absorbing qualities yet leaves good pigments of colour on the surface.
  • The surface of the paper will not warp.
  • It has a desirable texture for artists that use cartridge paper.
  • Colours such as pure white and ivory are available.
• Corrugated cardboard


  • Made to take the impact and hold a heavyweight.
  • The corrugated pattern functions very well because it can take force from a variety of angles.
  • The corrugated cardboard can be doubled up and it will take even more weight.
• Series (A,B,C)


  1. The most commonly used size found in schools, business and home
  2. For larger prints and poster work. The size would be used in professional printing companies or industries.
  3. Used for envelopes
• Mounting


  • Some paper and card sizes are bigger than paper to aid in mounting.
  • This allows for a natural border to be created.
• Rolls

  • Paper also comes in rolls which can be cut down or used on large format printers.
  • Again, these papers have varying thicknesses and finishes to aid the company in producing its product.
• Colour


  • Paper and cards can be produced in a variety of colours, this can aid presentation and offer schools an option of creating dynamic and eye-catching displays.
• Standard components include:


  • Velcro pads.
  • Drawing pins.
  • Treasury tags.
  • Staples.
  • Paper fasteners.
  • Stickers.
  • Ribbons.
  • Tape.
• Drawing pins and treasury tags

  • Drawing pins can hold up posters print out and photographs on most surfaces especially display boards.
  • Treasury tags can hold paper together in a ring binder style but is light and allow for easy transportation.
• Staples and paper fasteners

  • Staples allow many sheets of paper (usually A4) to be joined in the corner or along the margin which can create a formal business document or booklet, these can be removed with a staple remover.
  • Paper fasteners allow for rotary motions and movable joints when papers are joined together by these.
• Stickers and ribbons

  • Stickers can act as labels on top of card and paper; using self-sticking and reusable properties it makes for an excellent component to be used with paper and board.
  • Ribbons can be used to prepare paper in a temporary decorative way e.g. fastening gift paper around a present.
• Tape


  • Tape, masking tape and double-sided tape can be used to make paper move and stay in a certain direction or fix permanently.