About Paper

When you go to work with papers for calligraphy or other projects, you may find yourself coming across some unique terms.

Paper comes in various thicknesses. But rather than being measured by its thickness, paper is measured by weight.

So for example, if you are looking for watercolor paper, you will find that it comes as 90-lb, 140-lb, 260-lb or 300-lb.

So how are these measurements determined? Paper is measured by the weight in pounds of 500 sheets of paper in that paper's standard sheet size. For example, one of the more common printer papers comes as 20-lb. Card stock for business cards or cover sheets often comes as 80-lb.

If the paper is measured in metric, then it is the weight of a square meter of that paper - and the measurement is given as gsm - grams per square meter.

For more information about paper weights and sizes, you can also visit this site - Let's End the Confusion. This deals more with printer paper, but still has some good information.

If you are working with watercolor papers, it's usually okay to use them as is if you are just writing on them. However, if you want to use watercolor or ink washes on them, then any paper less than 260-lb should be stretched before you work with it.

Another term you will find in regard to paper is the finish. This refers to the treatment given to the surface of the paper.

Watercolor paper, for example, comes as hot-press or cold press. This literally refers to the paper being pressed as it is being formed. Cold-press means the paper is pressed while it is cold - and this paper will have a rougher surface texture. Hot-press means the paper is pressed with heat to get a much smoother surface.

For other finishes, ie, wove, laid, linen, glossy, matte, etc, I'll direct you to this webpage on Paper Finishes as it has great definitions, plus photo examples.

Sometimes a size is added to the surface of the paper as well to give it a smoother surface that makes it easier to write on. This also prevents ink from getting into the fibres of the paper and bleeding.

You will also want to consider the grain of the paper. When papers are machine made, the fibres used will primarily run in one direction. You have probably noticed that when you tear a piece of paper, it will tear easier and straighter if you tear it with the grain than against it. It will also fold more easily along the grain than against the grain. Generally speaking you want the grain of your paper to run up and down, not across. With handmade papers there will not be a grain to worry about.