NOTES

• Paper:

  • Papers and boards are made from natural fibres (cellulose), usually sourced from wood
  • Other sources of fibre include bamboo, flax, hemp, kenaf, straw and sugarcane
  • Wood fibres are mostly sourced from faster growing softwoods rather than hardwoods
  • Rag paper is made using cotton which gives it superior strength and durability
• Pulp:

  • The first stage in the production of paper and board is to make pulp
  • The natural cellulose fibres are mixed with water
  • This mixture is cooked which produces a fibrous liquid known as pulp
  • Pulp is fed onto a mesh conveyor which allows excess water to drain away
  • This makes its way through a series of rollers which help to press, form and dry the pulp into a continuous sheet which is either rolled or cut to size for commercial processing
• Treatments and finishes:

  • The final finish of paper or board depends upon:
  • the type of fibre used to make the pulp
  • any chemicals added during the manufacturing process
  • the addition of layers, different coatings or laminates
  • bleaching level which decreases the natural colour so it becomes whiter
  • When a high quality ‘bright’ paper is required, bleached pulp would be used
• Paper weight:

  • Paper is characterised by weight
  • The weight is measured in grams per square metre (GSM)
  • Understanding the different types of paper available will help you select the right material for the job
• Bleed proof paper:

  • Bleed proof paper is smooth and has a special coating to reduce absorbency
  • When drawing with a marker pen or writing with ink, the paper keeps the ink on the surface which creates a crisper line or mark
  • It resists bleeding and feathering
  • It’s lightweight at around 70-80gsm
• Cartridge paper:

  • A thick, quality paper with a slight texture
  • It’s used particularly for pencil and ink drawings and paintings
  • Available in a range of weights, a heavier paper at 200gsm is more suitable for watercolour and acrylic painting
• Plotting data:

  • Grid paper has printed squares or isometric grids
  • These are printed with faint lines that enable the user to draw graphs and diagrams, plot mathematical functions or add scientific data
  • Lines can be printed in different weights
• Design and layout:

  • In the early stages of planning for a painting or design, artists may use layout paper and tracing paper for working sketches and ideas
  • Layout paper is lightweight and smooth with greater opacity than tracing paper
  • It accepts pencil and most other media well
• Translucency:

  • Tracing paper is smooth and sold in pads and rolls
  • Ranging from 40gsm up to 280gsm for specialist uses
  • It is made in the same way as ordinary paper, but is passed through a bath of acid which partially dissolves the paper
  • This increases the translucency, and it also increases the stability of the paper
• Cardboard:

  • A heavy duty paper available in a range of thicknesses and strengths
  • Cardboard is measured in microns – 1000 microns equal 1mm
  • Cardboard can be made from recycled paper
  • It can be laminated to other materials to increase strength or provide an alternative surface
• Corrugated cardboard:

  • Corrugated board is made up of one or two outer flat layers and a corrugated layer
  • Commonly used for delivery containers and packaging
  • It’s lightweight, but strong
  • With a smooth surface, it can easily be printed on
• Foil lined board:

  • This is made from a stiff card lined with aluminium foil on one side
  • Cartons containing liquid are foil lined making it food safe
  • The card also has a waxy coating to make it resistant to oils and liquids
• Duplex board:

  • Duplex board is made up of two layers
  • The exterior will have a wax coating to provide a moisture barrier and give it a glossy sheen
  • Its smooth white surface makes it suitable for offset printing
  • Its weight, 200 – 500gsm, also makes it ideal for folding and die cutting
• Foam board:

  • Foam board consists of a sheet of polystyrene foam sandwiched between outer layers of paper
  • Rigid and lightweight, it is often used as a backing material for graphic signage
  • It cuts cleanly with a sharp blade making it very suitable for architectural models or prototypes
• Solid white board:

  • Solid white board is a high quality board with a bright white finish
  • Weights range from 200gsm – 500gsm
  • It’s strong, smooth surface makes it suitable for book covers and product packaging
  • It accepts printing and surface finishes
• Ink jet card:

  • Designed for use with an inkjet printer, the inks sit on the surface of the paper
  • With a special coating this increases the stability of the print
  • A good smooth surface, ensures even ink coverage and absorbency
  • Available in weights ranging from 120-350gsm
  • A matt or gloss coating enables a variety of images to be printed