Paper & Boards

• Paper is measured in grams per square metre (gsm).
• A weight higher than 170gsm is classified as board.
• Boards are classified by thickness and weight.
• The thickness of board is measure in microns.
• Types of paper:

  Layout paper

  Tracing paper

  Copier paper

  Cartridge paper
• Layout paper-smooth surface, weighs 50 gsm, cheap, thin so drawings can be traced and copied.

  Used for sketching and developing design ideas.
• Tracing paper-thin and transparent, weighs 40 gsm, hardwearing and strong, mistakes can be scratched off.

  Used for making copies of drawings and fine details.
• Copier paper- smooth surface, weighs 80 gsm.

  Used for printing, photocopying and general office purposes.
• Cartridge paper- weighs around 80-140 gsm, expensive, has a textured surface, creamy colour, ideal for watercolours, paint inks and crayons.

  Used for sketching, drawing and painting.