Paper and boards

Question 1

Difference between papers and boards?

Answer 1

Paper is less than 200gsm whilst a board has more than 200gsm.

Question 2

Stock forms of paper

Answer 2

They are available from A0 (largest size) and A8 (smallest size). Each A is half the size of the previous one.

Question 3

Different types of paper or card

Answer 3

• Layout paper
• Cartridge paper
• Tracing paper
• Bleed-proof paper
• Treated paper
• Watercolour paper
• Corrugated card
• Bleached card
• Mount board
• Duplex card
• Foil backed and laminated card
• Metal effect card
• Moulded paper pulp

Question 4

Properties and uses of layout paper

Answer 4

Properties: Thin translucent paper with a smooth surface.

Uses: Sketching, quick ink, technical drawing, tracing

Question 5

Properties and uses of cartridge paper

Answer 5

Properties: Off-white paper usually with a slightly textured surface.

Uses: Sketching, rendering in pencil, ink and paste. Can be used for printing

Question 6

Properties and uses of tracing paper

Answer 6

Properties: Translucent paper slightly thicker than layout paper

Uses: For copying images when sketching

Question 7

Properties and uses of bleed-proof paper

Answer 7

Properties: Similar to cartridge paper but has a bleed-proof layer on one side so colours do not run

Uses: Spirit-based marker rendering

Question 8

Properties and uses of treated paper

Answer 8

Properties: Plain paper with a clear binder or dye layer applied to help hold the image on the paper surface and brighten the image. Surface sheens such as high gloss or matt available.

Uses: Photographic printing

Question 9

Properties and uses of watercolour paper

Answer 9

Properties: Available in absorbent, smooth, hot-pressed or the more textured cold-pressed and heavily textured rough.

Uses: Watercolour painting

Question 10

Properties and uses of corrugated card

Answer 10

Properties: Usually with carton board outer layers and a corrugated middle layer, giving the material the ability to provide protection against impact.

Uses: Protective packaging, model making, prototyping ideas, food packaging such as take-away boxes

Question 11

Properties and uses of bleached card

Answer 11

Properties: Chemically treated to brighten the surface to make it suitable for high-quality printing.

Uses: Greeting cards, high-quality packaging

Question 12

Properties and uses of mount board

Answer 12

Properties: Made from compressed fine cotton fibres to produce a rigid board.

Uses: Presenting artwork, picture mounting, modelling

Question 13

Properties and uses of duplex card

Answer 13

Properties: Made up of two layers of paper, with the exterior often coated to make it more water-resistant and to give it a glossy sheen and waxy feel.

Uses: Food packaging such as juice or milk cartons, disposable cups, plates

Question 14

Properties and uses of foil backed and laminated card

Answer 14

Properties: Card with polymer film or foil applied to either one side or both sides to provide a water resistant and/or heat insulating layer. The foil or laminate layer must be removed before recycling the paper pulp.

Uses: Drinks packaging, milk cartons, take-away box lids

Question 15

Properties and uses of metal effect card

Answer 15

Properties: High-quality card with a thin metal effect layer applied to the outer surface for enhanced aesthetics. Can be embossed.

Uses: Gift boxes and packaging, high-quality metal effect business cards

Question 16

Properties and uses of moulded paper pulp

Answer 16

Properties: Recycled paper pulp moulded when wet and dried to a specific shape. Usually smooth on the visible inside surface and rough textured on the outer surface.

Uses: Moulded packaging products, eco-friendly packaging, egg boxes, fruit packaging