Acid-free Paper
Paper that is "acid-free", which is manufactured on a paper machine with the wet-end chemistry controlled to a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, which prohibits the internal chemical deterioration of the paper over time. The addition of calcium carbonate is added as a buffer to make the paper resistant to the effects of an external acidic environment. Alkaline paper is usually used where aging resistance is preferred. It's the logical choice for documents, books, and maps.
Actual Weight
The actual weight of any quantity of paper. The true weight of paper is used to determine both purchase price and shipping costs.
Archival Paper
Paper that is alkaline and will not degenerate over time. Archival papers must meet national standards for perpetuity, which must be acid-free and alkaline with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5; include 2% calcium carbonate as an alkaline reserve; and not have any groundwood or unbleached wood fiber. The anticipated life of archival paper is more than 100 years.
Basic Size
The common sheet size used to determine the basis weight of a ream (500 sheets) of a given grade of paper. Standard basic sizes vary by paper grade. For example, the basic size for book paper is 25" x 38", and the basic size for cover stock is 20" x 26". see also basis weight, weight
Basis Weight
The weight, (number of pounds), of a ream (500 sheets) of a paper of a standard (basic) size. Each major paper grade, like cover, bond, or offset, has its own basic sheet size, to determine the basis weight. For example, the basic size of book paper is 25" x 38" for 500 sheets; therefore, 500 sheets of 70 lb. offset book paper in 25" x 38" will weigh 70 pounds.
While the sheets in a given ream of paper may be smaller or larger than this example, basis weight refers to how much that ream would weigh if all the sheets were the related basic size.
see also basic size, ream weight, weight
Bond Paper
Reprographic office paper, usually used for business forms and letterheads. Strength, durability, and performance are characteristics that are related to bond paper during electronic printing. The basic manufacturing size of of bond paper is 17" x 22".
see also basic size, electronic printing, office reprographic paper, xerography
Bonding Strength
Paper's interior strength; the capability of the fibers within a paper to hold to one another. Bonding strength gauges the adequacy of the paper to hold together on the printing press. Good bonding strength hampers fibers from coming unbound ("picking").
see also picking, pick out, sizing
Book Paper
Offset paper with a basic size of 25" x 38". The main applications for this product is for book publishing, commercial printing, direct mail, technical documents, and manuals. see also basic size, offset papers, text papers
Brightness
The reflectivity of pulp, paper, or paperboard which is tested by, using a specially calibrated measuring instrument. If paper lacks brightness it will consume too much light and little will reflect back through the ink.
see also fluorescent dye, refractiveness, whiteness
Bristol Paper
Heavyweight paper, solid or laminated manufactured to a caliper thickness of .006" or higher. Bristols are primarily utilized for tags, covers, and file folders. They have a basic size of 24 1/2" x 30 1/2".
see also basic size, cover paper, tag paper
Bulk
Measures the thickness or density in relation to the basis weight of a sheet of paper, used in the binding of books, and is measured as (ppi) or pages per inch. Where thickness or the misimpression of substance is desired, bulk is an important component.
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C1S
paper that has been coated on one side only "coated one side".
C2S
paper that has been coated on both sides "coated two sides".
Caliper
Measures the thickness of a sheet of paper under specific conditions. The paper is measured with a sensitive tool called a micrometer, and generally expressed in units of one thousandth of an inch. Caliper is an important measure of uniformity. Extreme deviation in caliper can lead to printing variations, unattractive visual effects, and uneven stretch or press-feeding problems. It may also result in problems in folding and binding.
see also bulk, thickness
Coated Paper
paper which has an outer coating of material applied to one or both sides. The coating may be added while the paper is still moving through the papermaking machine, or after it comes off the machine. It provides printing ink holdout, smoothness and evenness. Coated papers are available in a variety of finishes, including gloss, dull, and matte. see also cast-coating, clay, dot gain, dull coated, four-color process, gloss, halftone, ink holdout, matte coated, off-machine coating
Cotton Paper
Paper containing a minimum cotton fiber content of 25% and a maximum fiber content of 100%. When fiber other than cotton is used, the balance comes from wood pulp. Cotton pulp is produced from rags or clippings from textile mills, raw cotton, and cotton linters. Cotton papers are used mainly as writing papers.
Cover Paper
Generally stiffer, heavier paper frequently used for book covers, folders, greeting cards, business cards, and brochures. Uncoated cover papers generally match the color and finish of corresponding text papers. The basic size of cover stock is 20" x 26".
see also basic size, text paper
Curl
The waviness of a sheet of paper, most apparent along its edges. Physical stresses or changes in humidity cause most curling. This may occur at the paper mill, in the pressroom, on press, or after binding. Paper tends to curl along, rather than across, the grain of the paper. Recycled and recycled content papers have less tendency to curl than virgin fiber papers because their fibers are shorter.
see also grain, relative humidity
Cut-Size
Paper sizes of 8 1/2" x 11", 8 1/2" x 14", or 11" x 17", also known as writing or business papers. Cut-size papers are usually packed in reams of 500 sheets prior to shipment from the mill.
Deckle Edge
A feathery edged sheet of paper, produced as the paper machine sprays a stream of water or a jet of air across the paper as it's formed. Deckle edges can also be created after the paper is manufactured, using a die. This procedure creates a less feathery, harder-edged deckle.
Densitometer
An instrument used to measure the optical density of ink on paper throughout a print run.
Density
Compacted fibers create a dense sheet of paper. The weight of a sheet of paper as compared to its bulk. For example, a paper that weighs more than another paper but is thinner has a higher density.
see also bulk
Dull Coated
This coated paper finish is somewhere between glossy and matte.
see also coated paper, gloss, matte coated
Dummy
A mock-up layout or presentation of a brochure book or future
piece to be printed to display style, form, size and shape.
The dummy is usually provided by the paper merchant or paper
consultant at the request of designers.
see also comp, paper consultant
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Enamel
Initially specified coated paper with a finished high gloss
surface. Enamel has come to signify any coated paper surface
regardless of gloss.
see also C2S, coated paper
Envelope
Folded and glued paper offering a wide variety of sizes and shapes for carrying letters or other materials The closer a finished piece is to an envelope size, the easier it will be to mail and will less likely be damaged by jostling around inside the envelope. An envelope manufacturer can create almost any size envelope necessary, but a custom envelope requires a custom die and bears a custom price.
Felt
Fabric utilized to transfer the wet web of paper from the wire onto the paper machine. Usually takes place through wet presses and some portion of dryer section during the paper making process
see also felt finish, papermaking
Felt Finish
a smooth texture that modifies the look but not the strength of uncoated paper. There are two ways felt finish is applied during paper making: either with a roll that is covered with a felt or with a rubber roll with a felt-patterned finish. An embossed felt finish is produced off the machine, after the paper has dried
Felt Side
The top side of the paper, as it is produced on the paper machine. comes in contact with the dandy roll and felts during the papermaking process. The bottom side of the paper, which comes in contact with the wire (forming fabric) of the papermaking machine, is called the wire side.
see also finish, papermaking, tooth, two-sidedness, wire side
Fiber-Added Paper
Visible fibers, flecks, and specks that are contained in paper. Common fiber additives are wood chips, colored cotton fibers, and colored rayon fibers.
see also recycled paper, recycled-content paper
Finish
Term used to describe the surface characteristics of paper. Finishes may be produced on or off machine. Surface that is highly finished is hard and smooth.
A "low" finish is rough and toothy. On-machine finishing is done in two ways. For a smooth or vellum finish, pressure is imparted on the sheet with a finishing "stack." Laid or felt finishes are made with a marking roll, and this process presses the pattern into the paper while it's still wet.
Finishes that are created off-machine are called embossed. This individual step presses the paper between a steel pattern roll and either a hard cotton backing roll (to create the finish on both sides) or a plastic roll (for smoothness on one side).
Many generic terms describe the various finishes of uncoated paper, such as vellum, smooth, and laid. Individual paper manufacturers may not use these terms consistently, instead using unique names for common finishes. see also calendering, embossed, papermaking, super calender
Formation
Cellulose fibers uniformly distributed with other ingredients during the paper making process. Paper with fine formation has evenly scattered fibers, and will be smoother and more uniform than a paper with uneven formation. The tighter the fibers are bound, the more uniform the surface, and the better the printed sheet generally looks.
see also fiber, grain
Freesheet
A sheet of paper that is groundwood free and contains a minimal amount of acceptable mill contamination.
see also cast-coating, coated paper
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Grade
The classification of different types of paper and its properties. General paper categories include writing, offset, cover, tag, and index paper. It can also refer to the quality level of the paper or to a mill's specified brand of paper.
Grain
Orientation of the direction in which most fibers lie in a sheet of paper, resulting from the flow of fibers in a water suspension. As paper is formed, the slurry of fibers moves forward on the forming wire at high speeds, aligning the fibers in the direction of the movement and creating the grain. Simultaneously, the machine shakes the slurry of fibers from side to side, so that the fibers cross. This crisscrossing creates a web of fibers, and gives the paper strength in both directions while maintaining a predominant grain, or direction.
The individual fibers take in moisture and swell sideways as the moisture in the air changes. This explains why paper will expand or shrink across the grain and is more flexible along the grain but stiffer against the grain.
The grain should run parallel with the binding for books and other bound work to create a smoother fold, allowing the pages to turn easily, and allowing the paper to swell across the grain. If the binding runs across the grain, the free ends of the paper will inflate or shrivel with moisture changes, but the bound ends will not. The book will buckle and the binding will weaken.
Grain direction for sheet paper is indicated by underscoring the dimension along which the grain lies or by changing the order of the numbers. For example, a 25" x 38" sheet is grain long; a grain short sheet is indicated by 38" x 25". The grain on web paper runs along the length of the paper web.
see also binding, formation, grain long, grain short, papermaking, slurry
Grain long
A sheet of paper where the grain runs along the length, or long side, of a sheet of paper (25" x 38"). Fibers line up parallel to the long side of the paper.
see also grain, grain short
Grain short
Paper grain direction running along the width, or short side, of a sheet of paper (35" x 23"). Fibers line up parallel to the short side of the paper.
see also grain, grain long
Grammage
Selected measure of a unit of paper cut to sheets measuring weight in grams "grams per square meter".
see also weight
Groundwood paper
Terminology applied to paper containing a significant amount groundwood or mechanical pulp, leaving many natural impurities like lignin in the paper.
Groundwood paper is not as bright and ages quicker than freesheet paper, which is made from chemical pulping. Groundwood paper isn't recommended for any printed matter that is expected to last over time. The advantages of groundwood are that it's lightweight, bulky, and inexpensive.
see also bulk, freesheet, lignin, pulping wood, uncoated groundwood
Guillotine
A machine used to shear stacks of paper. A cutting blade moves between two upright guides and cuts the paper consistently as it moves downward.
see also trimming, trim size
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Index Paper
Inexpensive paper that is stiff with a smooth finish. The high bulk but low weight of this paper makes it a favorite choice for business reply cards. Index papers basic size is 25-1/2" x 30-1/2".
see also basic size
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Kraft Paper
Paper that is manufactured from kraft pulp and renowned for its strength. During the kraft pulping process, fiber is detached from lignin by cooking woodchips with steam and pressure.
see also bleached kraft, lignin, pulping wood
Laid Finish
Paper with a transparent pattern of lines running parallel to and across the grain. Paper that has a laid finish is produced by dropping a patterned dandy roll on to the paper machine while the paper is still wet.
see also dandy roll, finish
Like-Sided
Paper that has the same semblance and attributes on both sides (the opposite of two-sided).
see also twin-wire machine, two-sidedness
Linen Finish
Paper with an embossed finish that simulates the pattern and texture of linen fabric, by passing paper between sheets of linen cloth, after the paper comes off the paper machine
see also embossing
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M weight
Defined as the weight in pounds for 1,000 sheets of paper, of a certain basis weight and dimension (size). The capital letter M, is the Roman umeral for 1,000;
see also basis weight, ream weight, weight making order
see manufacturing order
Manufacturing order
Also known as making order. A specially requested quantity of paper manufactured to custom specifications, i.e., a special weight, color, or size not available as a standard stocking item. Special order requirements are essential and should be discussed with a local paper consultant, and coordinated with the paper mill.
see imposition, paper consultant, stock
Matte coated
a coating on paper that has a non-glossy appearance. Matte coated paper is often specified when the printed pages will contain a great deal of type, since the low gloss makes for easier reading.
see also coated paper, dull coated, finish, gloss
Merchant
A distributor of papers designated as an agent to represent several different paper mills or manufacturers. mill the actual site where paper is manufactured; also refers to a company that manufactures paper.
Newsprint paper
A grade of paper essentially manufactured from groundwood (mechanical) pulp instead of chemical pulp, which results in a short lifespan. Newsprint is one of the most inexpensive printing papers. see also groundwood paper, pulping wood
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Offset papers
Printing paper generally used in the graphic arts, also called book and text weight papers. The papers weight is manufactured to uphold the rigors of offset printing. These papers are more unyielding to water and less susceptible to picking. Most book and text grades of paper can be used on offset presses. The term "offset" is used synonymously with (book). Offset papers basic size is 25" x 38".
see also basic size, book papers, picking, text paper
Opacity
A characeristic of paper to block the transmission of light passing through a sheet of paper. The more fibers or fillers a paper has, the more opaque it is, and the less it allows "show-through" of the printing on the back side or on the next page. Opacity us not always determined by thickness or weight; a thinner paper may have more opacity than a thicker paper if opacifying thickeners are utilized.
see also calcium carbonate, fillers, thickness, titanium dioxide,weight
Pallet
Usually a wooden platform with a slatted bottom, used to hold and transport cartons of paper stacked on top of each other.
Paper
A complex matted web of cellulose fibers which are formed from a water suspension on the paper machine wire, and bound together by entangling fibers and bonding agents and then dried.
Paper Consultant
A representative from a merchant or paper mill with the expertise to advise designers and printers how to select the correct paper for a specific printed piece.
see also manufacturing order, merchant, specifying paper
Paperboard
Paperboard is used fundamentally for packaging and construction materials. Whiteness and brightness are not important characteristics in paperboard as premium printing and writing papers, and because the process of deinking is less important in its manufacture, it is a perfect product for using recovered fiber.
see caliper, deinking
Papyrus
An aquatic plant indigenous to northern Africa. Although papyrus was originally thought to be the first paper, it is not. In the strict definition of the word, paper is a matted web of individual fibers. Papyrus "paper" was made by peeling the plant, which is constructed like an onion, placing one layer on top of another. Natural secretions acted like glue, bonding the layers and leaving the cellular structure of the plant layers unbroken.
see also scrolls
Parchment
A writing surface made from animal skins. Today, it is manufactured from cellulose fiber paper, or vegetable parchment, is made by dipping unsized paper into sulfuric acid, then quickly washing it and neutralizing the acid. This process melts the fibers on the outside, which in turn coat the other fibers and fill voids between them. The result is a grease-resistant sheet that is difficult to recycle.
Permanence
Tear resistant paper that is also able to endure, fading, and general aging over time. Permanence of paper is primarily contingent upon the purity of cellulose used to manufacture paper, the acid content in the paper as a result of manufacturing or later contact and the storage of paper away from heat, light and moisture. Paper meeting the standard for permanence can be expected to last more than 100 years.
see also alkaline papermaking, archival paper, ph
PH
The measure of the alkalinity or acidity of a material. Paper with a pH above 7.0 is considered acid-free, or alkaline. Paper with a pH below 7.0 is considered acidic;
see also acid-free paper, alkaline papermaking, archival paper
Point
Refers to measurements of the thickness of paper, one point is 1/1000 or.001 inches; in measurements of the size of type, one point is 1/72 inch.
see also caliper, thickness
Porosity
Referring to the openness or compactness of the fibers in paper. A test measuring time required for a measured amount of air to flow through a sheet of paper. The more open a paper is, the greater the porosity.
Post-consumer recovered paper
Paper material retrieved after being used by a consumer.
see also recovered paper, recycled content paper, recycled paper
PPI
Used to describe the bulk of a paper.
see also bulk, caliper, thickness
Precision sheeting
Transforming/converting rolls of paper into finished sheet sizes in one operation.
Pre-consumer recovered paper
Paper salvaged after the papermaking process, but before use by a consumer.
see also recovered paper, recycled content paper, recycled paper
PT.
Abbreviation for "point."
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Tag paper
A thick and heavy utility grade of paper used primarily to print tags, such as the store tags on clothing. Tag paper must be strong and lasting, yet have good affinity for printing inks.
Tear strength
A measure of how likely a paper will continue to tear once started. Tear strength test determines the tearing resistance of paper. Tear strength will be different with and against the grain of paper.
Tensile strength
A measure of how probable paper is to break when pulled at opposite ends, in opposite directions. Web offset paper must have good tensile strength in order to withstand the high speed of the printing press.
see also bonding strength, web break, web paper, web press
Text paper
Uncoated premium printing paper of good quality, manufactured in weights that is appropriate for the text of books or brochures. Text papers are manufactured in a broad variety of finishes, including smooth, antique, vellum, laid, felt, and embossed. They are distinguished by excellent folding qualities, durability and printability.
Text papers are used most frequently for books, annual reports, brochures, booklets, advertising collateral material, and announcements and have a basic size of 25" x 38".
see also basic size, book paper, cover paper, offset paper
Thickness
also known as caliper measures the thickness of a single piece of paper, measured in thousandths of an inch, called "caliper." Thickness measurements determine the bulkiness of a sheet of paper, but the actual number of sheets in an inch-high stack of paper is referred to as PPI, or pages per inch.
see also bulk, caliper, ppi
Tooth
A term referring to paper's surface roughness, a characteristic that allows it to take up ink.
Two-sidedness
Property denoting differences in appearance, characteristics and possible printability between the felt (top) and wire (bottom) sides.
see also felt side, like-sided, wire side
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Uncoated freesheet
Uncoated paper consisting no more than 10% mechanical wood pulp. Most uncoated freesheet paper is completely free of mechanical wood pulp. Most uncoated printing and writing papers are grouped into the broader category of uncoated freesheet.
Uncoated groundwood
Uncoated paper that contains more than 10% groundwood fiber in its furnish.
Uncoated paper
Paper that has no coating applied to it. Uncoated papers are manufactured in a broad variety of finishes, colors, and weights and offer the versatility needed to meet the creative and practical conditions of many print jobs.
see also book paper, cotton paper, cover paper, furnish, offset papers, text papers, vellum
Vellum
An uncoated paper finish with a full, toothy, somewhat rough surface. Vellum is a favorite uncoated paper finish.
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Watermark
A desired shadow mark in fine papers when light is viewed through the sheet which is imparted during the manufacturing process that identifies a paper. It doesn't leave an impression in the paper; rather, it leaves behind a transparent mark.
Web
A roll of paper.
see also web paper
Web paper
Paper that is rolled rather than sheeted. Rolled paper placed on a web press, which can fold and cut the paper after printing.
Weight
The number of tons (tonnage) or pounds of a quantity of paper. The weight of paper may be categorized as basis weight, ream weight, M weight, or grammage.
Basis weight is the weight in pounds of 500 sheets of paper. The 500 sheets represents the standard ream count, and is the basic unit for determining area. Also called substance weight, particularly in the bond or business paper grades. Paper cut to a given standard size (called basic size), such as 25" x 38", depending on the grade of paper. M weight is the true weight of 1,000 sheets of paper. Because this is double the amount of a ream of paper, it is also double the ream weight.
Metric measurement, known as grammage is comparable to the basis weight of paper. Unlike basis weight, which uses different basic sizes for different grades of paper, grammage continually uses the same sheet size -- one square meter -- regardless of the paper grade.
see also actual weight, basic size, basis weight, grammage, M weight, ream weight
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