Papers and boards

• In Europe the most commonly used paper scale is the ‘A’ scale
• as the numbers increase, the size of the paper halves
• A5 is 1/2 the size of A4 etc.

• Paper is measured in grams per square inch
• the higher the weight the better quality the paper is percieved to be 
• Card is measured in microns
• A paper is usually clasified as a board when it is greater than 220gsms and more than 1 ply
• 2 ply=200 microns, 3 ply= 230 microns, 4 ply=280 microns, 6 ply=360 

• 80gsm
• Good quality bleached surface
• Bright white usually, or coloured
• Smooth finish for good quality printing
• Available in a large variety of colours
• Inexpensive when bought in bulk.
• Paper degrades in the sun
• Paper is light-weight- can tear easily 
• Photocopying
• Inkjet or laser printing
• Sketching/writing

•50gms •like tracing paper but has a smoother surface •used for tracing images on to another piece of paper •expensive

•120-150gms •Creamy-white paper •Smooth surface with a slight texture •General purpose drawing paper and heavier weights can be used with paints •Completely opaque Expensive  

•60 – 90 gsm •Thin, transparent and smooth to touch •It is preferred in heavy weight by draughtsmen and helps designers. •Can be used to make pinhole cameras •Create patterns for doll clothes. •Smooth surface •Non-ageing •Acid-free •Recyclable •Cannot rub out pencil very well from •Thin, rips easily •Reacts to humidity

•70-300gsm •Smooth surface finish •Range of finishes available from gloss, matt, satin and silk •High quality print jobs •Reproducing photographs or coloured images more vibrant •Preserves shelf life •Water resistant •Relatively expensive •Smudges left behind from finger prints. •Broachers •Post-cards •Photographs

•Greater than 50gsm •It is high quality paper used for writing and often carries a watermark •Name comes from when it was originally made documents such as government bonds •Used for letterheads and other stationary and paper for electronic printers and for work involving pencil, pen and felt tips •Made from rag pulp (new or old cotton or linen rags and cleaning and bleaching fibres) which makes the paper stronger •Long-wearing •Available in a wide range of colours •Not expensive when brought in bulk

•1000-1500microns •Strong •Colour on one side, white on other •Wide range of colours •Thick •High quality •Used to mount work •Expensive

•Greater than 220gms •Made from varying percentage of recovered waste pulp •Eco-friendly products •Can be coloured for visual effect •Flaked appearance •Lower quality •Inexpensive

FBB is paper board which is made up of multiple layers:

•Bleached Virgin pulp top surface •Unbleached  pulp •Middle layers •Bleached pulp inside layer •Low density •High stiffness •Slightly yellow colour •Excellent for scoring, bending and creasing. •Great printing surface •Relatively inexpensive •Health and beauty products • Frozen, chilled and other foods • Confectionaries • Pharmaceuticals • Graphical uses • Cigarettes

•Laminated foil coating. •Foil available in matt or gloss finish in silver or gold. •Strong visual impact. •Foil provides barrier against moisture. •Expensive •Cosmetic cartons •Pre-packed food packages

•Constructed from a fluted paper layer sandwiched between two paper liners •Excellent impact resistance •Has excellent strength for its weight •Low cost •Recyclable •Water destroys corrugated board •Cuts are made into the corrugated board are weak spots prone to breakage under heavy pressure •Protective packaging for fragile goods. •Box making

•SBB has excellent printing •Structural design and embossing characteristics making it ideal for luxury products •Examples of cartons where SBB is used are perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, pharmaceuticals, frozen foods and cigarettes. •Solid Bleached Board (SBB) is made exclusively from bleached chemical pulp •It usually has a white pigment coated top surface in 2 or 3 layers and some grades are also coated on the reverse

•Used in retail packaging. •High-speed automated packaging equipment. •High quality, High speed printing and cutting, creasing and gluing. Total graphical coverage excellent printing quality Excellent protection in structual packages