Paper is used all over the world, and it is one of the most essential and valuable inventions ever made by mankind. However, many of us take it for granted.

This page is dedicated to all topics related to paper. It also offers details on how it’s created, the many varieties, and other lesser-known facts.

How is it created?

Before getting started, it’s a good idea to brush up on your tree knowledge. Layers make form the structure of trees. The bark, phloem, cambium, xylem, and heartwood are the layers that make up the tree. All of these layers are made up of small cellulose strands known as fibres, which are held together by lignin, a natural glue. We can only produce paper by gathering and sorting these materials.

Paper production may be broken down into three phases in its most basic form. Wood is first chipped and processed into extremely small bits in a chipper. The wood chips are then added in water and cooked, resulting in wood pulp. Chemicals like starch and bonding agents are then added, and the pulp is passed through a fine mesh grate. This permits the water to leave while keeping the cellulose fibres intact, which are what make up paper.

However, not all materials are created equal; trees can be classified as either hardwood or softwood, and the classification determines the qualities of the finished product.

Types, Dimensions, and Weights

Paper suppliers must meet a wide range of customer demands, since there is demand for a wide range of styles for a wide range of applications.

It comes in a variety of sizes and weights, each tailored for a certain use. The weight of the paper when measured at 1 square metre is measured in grammes per square metre, or gsm.

Although most paper nowadays is created from recycled materials, it comes from a variety of sources. However, in certain cases, paper is still created entirely of wood pulp, a process known as virgin paper.

The A4 paper size is the most well-known; the ‘A’ sizing chart is based on the A0 paper size, which is 1 metre squared. Each piece of ‘A’ sized paper is half the size of the measurement above it, i.e. a1 is half of A0, A2 is half of A1, A3 is half of A2, and so on. A6 is the smallest A-sized paper that is regularly used.

Then there are the many sorts.

Layout paper is a thin, white piece of paper that designers frequently use to sketch out their early concepts. Layout paper is a low-cost option that takes colour media well.

My early favourite was tracing paper. Tracing paper is a transparent paper that may be used to copy designs. Tracing paper is often expensive due to the additional manufacturing procedures required.

Paper for Cartridges

Cartridge paper is a high-quality, multi-purpose paper that may be used for a variety of purposes. It comes in a range of weights and sizes to suit the sort of job that has to be done. It is a favourite of this author due to its moderate cost and adaptability.

Bleed proof paper is a high-quality, smooth paper suitable for use with liquid-based paints or pens. It has a modest price tag.

As time goes on, more varieties of paper will be added to this article.

Fascinating facts about papers

Finally, I’ll leave you with some interesting facts about paper.

Old rags were used to make paper in the 1800s.

Paper money, playing cards, and toilets have all existed in China since the 9th century A.D.

In 1970, a guy called John Tetlow invented ruled paper for the first time.

Lightning strikes beech trees less frequently than other trees. This is believed to be due to their high oil content.

Paper production accounts for around 17% of total global wood use.

Papyrus is the name of the plant leaf used to write on in ancient Egypt, and the term paper is derived from it.