Do you know that the thickness of paper is measured in gsm (grams per square meter)? Talking about paper might sound futile but that is only because we know paper, we use it on daily basis and we like to think that we know everything about paper. Our day starts with newspaper and ends with tissue paper, literally. But there’re a lot of things you might not know about paper and paper sheets.
Paper is a flexible substance made mostly from wood pulp, which is often generated from softwood coniferous (cone like) plants like pine trees. Because papers exist in various sorts, thickness, texture, and sizes, choosing the appropriate one for your job or project may be a difficult task. Every paper has its purpose and use. You must be aware of their types and properties in order to choose the right one. Read this blog to get insight into papers.
Types of Paper Sheet
There are various types of paper used for various needs, hence the quality varies. By quality I mean thickness, whiteness, coating and finish of the paper. Here are some of the popular types of papers that are widely used in various needs:
Printing Paper
Also known as offset paper or printing paper. It is one of the most widely used papers and is produced in big quantities. In general, these sheets are created with a modest quantity of cellulose and a lot of filler, which makes printing easier, which is their major purpose. The most frequent grams are 70 to 90 grams, however, they may go up to 100 grams. Manufacturers strive for maximum whiteness in this material, which is usually achieved through the use of fillers. However, it is just strong enough to run through the printer or be folded because it is used for applications that do not demand a lot of handling.
Coated paper
The filler is linked to the fiber by a binding agent, which can be synthetic or natural, and coated paper is made with more short than long fiber (normally calcium carbonate). A coated layer is placed on the cellulose, resulting in improved printing and resolution (on account of the higher screens). This is because the ink lingers on the surface, resulting in a shinier and more colorful post-printing finish.
Newspaper
Newspapers are printed on newsprint paper, as the name indicates. For obvious reasons, its life cycle is short, usually one day. Because the paper does not need to be white, the material quality does not need to be good, and the paper is made with mechanical pulp including residue. It is rarely colored, and when it is, the color is applied using mass-dying techniques.
Tissue Paper
This material is both soft and absorbent. Water resistance varies depending on the subtype: paper used to make handkerchiefs or napkins must be able to tolerate liquids to avoid coming apart when used, whereas napkin paper must dissolve quickly. Different treatments are used during the production process to achieve this, and they are usually made using virgin fiber. Tissue papers are available in single ply, double ply, triple ply and quadruple ply configurations.
Cardboard
Cardboard is a paper-based product, albeit due to its thickness, this is not usually obvious. It's created from raw, unbleached wood pulp, so it retains its natural brown color. It is usually composed of recyclable material because beauty is not a consideration. Cardboard is made up of three layers of paper: two smooth exterior layers and a corrugated inner layer that gives the material its strength. In terms of mechanical qualities, the corrugated layer strengthens the material, but it is not suited for printing since it may be crushed depending on the pressure used.
Fine Art Paper
Depending on the creative method, fine arts paper must have distinct technical and practical features. This substance was created as a less expensive alternative to canvases; in reality, some of these papers have outstanding qualities and may last almost a century without turning yellow.
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- Last updated on Nov 24, 2023
