Which Paper?

Which Paper? A large part of using type correctly, persuasively and aesthetically pleasing depends upon the kind of paper used. You do not print a wedding invitation on any cheap copy paper that you might have at the office copier. Or, you want to submit a resumé and want it to showcase your character and standards. The paper choice is important for this. Or, you want a colorful, playful, shiny paper for a kid's party. What paper should you use? While many have gone the route of digital printing and digital typography, for Facebook and other social media use, others have seen the continued need to choose the right paper at the right time for the right job. But with the plethora of papers available, which one(s) do I choose?

Some Definitions about Paper

Paper Sizes. The standard known U.S. size paper is 8.5 x 11 inches, in either Portrait or Landscape mode. Legal size is 8.5 x 14 inches, used for contracts within legal, real estate and accounting professions. Tabloid or ledger size is 11 x 17 inches, used in offices for diagrams and documentation requiring larger drawings, like architectural and CAD drawings.  To many people wordwide, excluding North America and Canada, the most familiar paper size size is A4 (a familiar 210mm x 297mm). It is commonly used for letters and correspondence in the UK and it is the standard paper size for most home printers. The A4 size paper measures 8.27 x 11.69 inches, only slightly larger than the close equivalent to U.S letter size 8.5 x 11 inches. Most printers and copiers in this country are preset for letter sized paper.

Paper Weight & Thickness. Paper weight and thickness reveal the sturdiness and often opaqueness of the stock, with weightier paper providing more durability than a thin weighted paper stock. Paper is measured in points, where one point equals .001 inch, so that 10 point paper is .01 inches thick, 30 point is .03 inches and so forth. But paper weight can also be measured in GSM (grammes per square meter), so that fine art papers are usually made in the range of 120gsm to 850 gsm. Drawing papers are usually 130gsm and the Snowdon Cartridge papers are 300gsm. Thicker paper can withstand erasing and mark making. Such paper is ideal for printing processes including etching, silkscreen and offset lithography. Oriental papers tend to be lighter in weight, such as Japanese papers made with long fibers and great strength, often an artisan skill passed from generation to generation. Cover stocks are at the higher end of the weight spectrum and feel like thin cardboard. A REAM of paper is 500 sheets, and office paper is usually sold in reams.

Peter Giffen (https://www.officedepot.com/l/ideas-center/buying-guides/paper-buying-guide) notes that in the United States, the weight of paper stocks is usually done in pounds, which is the actual weight of 500 sheets of the “basis size” of the paper in question. Since the basis size may vary, comparing paper weights can be hard to do. For example, a 28-pound multipurpose paper is probably not the same weight or thickness as a 28-pound premium or cardstock paper. Standard copy paper is rated at 20 pounds and sometimes 24 or 28 pounds. I use 28 pound paper in my color printer for sharper images and no text see-through on the back of a sheet. Copiers use 20 pound paper as the cheapest stock for most office projects and memos and day to day use.

Paper Brightness & Opacity. Brightness refers to the amount of light that reflects off a sheet of paper and opacity refers to whether one can see the writing on the other side of the sheet. One hundred percent opacity (100%) means that no light shines through and zero percent opacity (0%) is see-through tracing paper. Black text tends to stand out on most paper brightness levels, so text documents only need an ordinary level brightness in the 80s and low 90s when measured on a scale of 100. A colorful design or fine-art reproduction may require the highest level of brightness.

Paper Types. There are generally five common paper types — matte, glossy, silk, bond and cardstock. Matte paper stock is generally used for text-heavy leaflets and flyers, with easy to read ink and sharp black and white contrasts. Glossy paper is used often for colorful flyers, leaflets, menus and other projects requiring sharp images. Such paper gives a high quality, professional appearance. Silk paper is soft to the touch and fills magazine pages, portfolios and other high quality printing. Bond paper is the durable traditional stationery paper for documents that you want to last a long time. Cardstock is used for business cards, booklets, leaflets and can stand extra wear and tear and constant use.

Inkjet papers are specially designed to absorb the inks used in the printing process. Laser paper can withstand the heat (from the printer's fuser) of laser printing. Photo paper can be matte or glossy and is used for printing photographs. Bond paper has a high content of cotton rags or cotton textile fibers in its composition. The name goes back to the late 19th century when such paper was used to print government bonds and other official documents. Bond paper today is often used for stationery, letterhead and drawing paper.

The best archival grade paper (according to https://www.pegasusart.co.uk/types-of-art-paper.irs) is made from 100% cotton which gives a strong, acid free material which lasts longest, and is the most resistant to discolouration and deterioration. The interweaving of the fibres gives paper its inherent strength which is improved by the use of 'size', the paper being too absorbent on its own, prone to disintegrating when too wet. Saunders Waterford, Somerset papers, Arches and some Fabriano papers, which are all 100% cotton, are sized to respond well to water based media. Japanese papers have a subtle beauty all of their own; generally very light weight they are made with long fibres and have great strength. "Acid-free" indicates the paper is made without rosin and alum sizing which would make the paper acidic. Acid-based paper is prone to fade over time and atmospheric conditions.Microscopic impurities on or in the paper can in time create little brown marks, called "foxing."

Specialty papers can be especially environmentally-friendly due to materials used or how fast they biodegrade.Recycled paper according to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is "a paper that only contains 100% post-consumer recovery fiber. If less that 100% the paper is called recycled-content paper."  Recycled paper can be made from pre-consumer materials, recovered from the leftovers in the manufacturing process, or post-consumer waste, gathered from used newspapers, for instance.

Again, Peter Giffen is helpful here — "Sustainable papers come from carefully controlled forests that are replanted and renewed. They meet specific environmental standards, helping users support practices that better protect forests and the environment. Some papers boast an FSC certification. The Forest Stewardship Council is a widely respected not-for-profit organization that seeks to protect the world’s forests by monitoring and improving timber production. The FSC has worked with key players in the lumber industry to inspect and track timber and pulp through production chains, ensuring that woodlands are managed sustainably. Any paper products certified by the FSC are created with sustainable practices.

While some businesses might be hesitant to use recycled paper since its texture and quality can differ slightly from virgin paper brands, FSC-certified products are virtually indistinguishable. Generally speaking, recycled paper costs more than unrecycled paper because there is more demand for the latter, and recycled paper costs more to process."

Premium paper has all the top attributes of weight, coating, brightness, opacity and material, making them good for presentations and quality print jobs. Such paper is made from a blend of wood pulp and cotton (usually 75% and 25%) and has a luxurious feel and is made to last for archival projects. Premium paper is often used for resumés, portfolios, quality reports, business proposals, announcements and high-level presentations. They have great brightness and durable weight.

Midori, or MD paper, is Japanese paper with whisper thin texture. It is lightweight and smooth, yet there is no bleed through for fountain pens. It can be used for notebooks, writing letters, or for calligraphy. Calirefontaine is French classic thick and opaque smooth, lined paper. Classica paper is designed and made in Italy, with a soft, almost fabric-like feel and is used for stationery sets.

Paper History (from ChatGPT, an AI Artificial Intelligence site).

The invention of paper can be traced back to ancient China, where it was first developed during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). Prior to this, various materials were used for writing, such as bamboo, silk, and animal skins. However, these materials were expensive and difficult to obtain, so the Chinese began experimenting with other materials.

The earliest known paper was made from mulberry bark, hemp, and rags. The fibers were pounded into a pulp and then pressed and dried into sheets. This process allowed for the production of large quantities of paper at a much lower cost than other writing materials, making paper accessible to a wider range of people.

The knowledge of paper-making eventually spread to other parts of the world, including the Arab world and Europe. During the Middle Ages, paper mills were established throughout Europe, and paper became an important commodity for trade and commerce.

In the 19th century, the invention of the Fourdrinier machine revolutionized paper-making. This machine allowed for the continuous production of paper, and it became the standard method of paper-making worldwide. Today, paper is produced in various grades, from high-quality writing paper to newsprint and packaging materials.

The history of paper is one of constant innovation and improvement. Today, paper is an essential material for communication, education, and commerce, and it continues to play a vital role in our daily lives. However, as the world becomes more environmentally conscious, there is a growing trend toward using sustainable materials and reducing paper waste.

Modern Paper Producers include —

Mohawk Fine Papers — Mohawk is a leading paper maker based in the United States that produces a wide range of papers for various applications, including printing, packaging, and stationery. They are committed to sustainability and have received numerous awards for their environmental initiatives.

G.F Smith — G.F Smith is a UK-based paper maker that specializes in producing high-end papers for the design and print industries. They have a reputation for innovation and quality, and their papers are used by many leading designers and artists.

Fedrigoni — Fedrigoni is an Italian paper maker that produces a wide range of papers for printing, packaging, and other applications. They are known for their commitment to sustainability and have received several awards for their environmental initiatives.

Neenah Paper — Neenah is a US-based paper maker that produces a range of papers for printing, packaging, and specialty applications. They have a strong commitment to sustainability and have received several certifications for their environmental practices.

Arjowiggins — Arjowiggins is a French paper maker that produces a wide range of papers for various applications, including printing, packaging, and stationery. They have a long history of producing high-quality paper and have received several awards for their sustainability initiatives.

Hammermill — Back in 1898, five years before the Wright brothers took off at Kitty Hawk, three brothers from Germany founded the Hammermill Paper Company in Erie, Pennsylvania. As immigrant success stories go, the Behrend brothers rank right up there in the history of American business. Especially since, more than 120 years later, Hammermill paper is still being made in America. unlike imported papers, the paper mills that produce Hammermill are strategically located near sustainably-managed forests. That means shorter transportation distances, which lead to less fuel usage, reduced emissions, and a healthier planet. But the biggest benefit of being made in America is this: Hammermill paper helps to preserve American forests. This may sound counter-intuitive, but the claim is a sound one. First, our entire business model depends a sustainable supply of paper fiber from healthy forests.  And second, 90% of Hammermill paper fiber is sourced from sustainably-managed, privately-owned forestland. (From the Hammermill website at https://www.hammermill.com/blog/hammermill-paper-is-made-and-remade-and-remade-in-america)

A good source for buying various papers is PaperDirect (https://www.paperdirect.com/digital-catalog).

Takeaways would be to always use good quality stationary and write on white, ivory or cream letter paper. This will give the recipient the feeling of quality and that your letter is of importance to them. If you are not using headed paper, ensure your full address is written in the top right hand corner of the letter. Notepad paper can't be too thick or too thin, since flimsy paper tears too easily and thick paper is too bulky. Instead, opt for a happy medium with 70-pound opaque notepad paper that offers a smooth writing experience and enough stability to hold up to vigorous note-taking. (https://www.psprint.com/resources/notepad-printing-techniques/) The choice of paper for typesetting depends on several factors, including the printing method, the purpose of the printed material, and the desired aesthetic effect. Generally, papers that have a smooth, even surface and good opacity are considered best for typesetting, as they allow for crisp, clear text and images.