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Paper Description
Bond
Originally a term applied to cotton-content paper used for
printing bonds and legal documents, and distinguished by
strength, performance, and durability. Bond paper may now be made
from either cotton, chemical wood pulp, or a combination of the
two. Today, writing, digital, and cut-size papers are often
identified with the bond scale.
Brightness
Brightness is measured as the percentage of light in a narrow
spectral range reflected from the surface of a sheet of paper. It
is not necessarily related to color or whiteness. A paper with a
brightness of 98 (like Mohawk Navajo) is an extremely bright
sheet with almost all light being reflected back to the viewer.
Bright white papers illuminate transparent printing inks, giving
cleaner, crisper color, and contrasty blacks.
Cast Coated
High-gloss coated paper manufactured by casting the coating paper
against a highly polished, heated steel drum.
Coated Paper
Made with a surface coating, which allows for maximum smoothness
and ink holdout in the printing process. Coated papers are
available in a range of finishes from dull to matte, and gloss.
Cut Size
Papers cut to a small common size, usually 420x297 and
297 x 210.
Digital Papers
Papers designed for the special processes of the emerging digital
printing technologies. Unlike traditional offset printing, the
digital environment is centered in quick turnarounds, short runs,
and the ability to vary printed information within the run.
Felt
Woven textile, originally wool but now usually synthetic, used to
carry the web while moisture is pressed from it. While on the
paper machine, the felt acts as a support for the paper web.
Felts, if they are rough, can impart a felt finish to the paper.
Grain Direction
As the paper web is carried forward on the machine, the majority
of fibers orient themselves in the machine direction. When the
web of paper is sheeted, the sheets will be grain long (fibers
that follow the long side of the sheet) or grain short (they
follow he short side). Grain direction should be considered
during the design process for best results during printing,
folding, and converting.
Ink Holdout
A characteristic of paper related to its capacity to keep ink
sitting on its surface rather than absorbing into the sheet.
Better ink holdout produces sharper printed images.
Laid
A linear pattern which is applied by a dandy roll while the paper
is still very wet, to mimic the effect of some hand-made papers.
The laid dandy roll is comprised of wires that run parallel to
the roll’s axis (laid lines), and chain lines, which
connect the laid lines and run in the grain direction.
Laser Paper
Very smooth, low-moisture papers manufactured in cut sizes for
laser printers and office duplicating equipment. Low moisture
prevents paper curling from high heat in laser printers. Note: If
your job is designed to run through a laser printer, you should
specify laser-compatible offset inks.
Moisture Content
The amount of moisture found in a sheet of paper. If the moisture
content in a sheet is too high or too low, the paper can curl or
build up static, which affects the way it runs through a press,
printer or copier.
Offset Paper
Uncoated paper designed for use in offset lithography. Important
properties include good internal bonding, high surface strength,
dimensional stability, lack of curl, and freedom from foreign
surface material.
Paper Grade
A system used to classify papers by their common features or
content, such as recycled, coated or newsprint papers.
Text and Cover Papers
A class of high-quality uncoated papers in a wide variety of
colors and textures. Text is usually made with a matching or
coordinating cover.
Uncoated Paper
Paper manufactured with no surface coating. There is a wide variety
of grades and levels of quality among uncoated papers.
Vellum Finish
Natural or machine finish, like antique or eggshell.
Watermarks
Designs formed in fine wire or in low-relief metal castings and
sewn onto the dandy roll. The resulting thick and thin areas make
the watermark slightly more translucent than the rest of the
sheet. Watermarks were historically used to convey a sense of
quality in letterhead papers.
Writing Paper
Suitable for pen and ink, pencil, laser printing or offset
printing. Writing grades are designed for letterheads, corporate
identity programs, and office copiers.
Awesome Paper Links
Learning About Paper
Paper University - A site for teachers and students to learn about the paper making process.
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