Paper Types Glossary

Printing & Writing Papers

Papers primarily used for printing books, magazines, marketing materials, stationery, and other written or graphic communications.

Antique Papers

Paper with a rough surface resulting from minimal pressure and the use of felts with long nap. Commonly used in quality book printing.

Bible Paper

Opaque, lightweight printing paper for Bibles, insurance rate books, and encyclopedias. Low bulk and carefully beaten fibers provide strength.

Bond

Durable paper originally for government bonds, now for letterheads, stationery, and forms. Often has rag content for strength.

Book Paper

Covers both uncoated and coated papers used in printing books. Varies in fiber composition, weight, and finish.

Chromo Paper

A paper suitable for color printing, often coated to enhance color vibrancy and print detail.

Coated Paper

Paper coated with mineral pigments for a smooth surface and excellent print quality, especially for images and graphics.

Imitation Art

A heavily loaded and highly calendered printing paper mimicking coated art paper surfaces without actual coating.

Map Paper

Dimensionally stable under humidity changes, ensuring accurate multicolor registration for maps and charts.

Music-Roll Paper

Stable, moisture-resistant paper used for player-piano and organ rolls; must perforate cleanly and remain dimensionally stable.

Newsprint

Lightweight, low-cost paper made largely from groundwood pulp, used predominantly for newspapers.

Offset Paper

Designed for offset lithography, offering good ink holdout and uniform printing surfaces.

Onionskin

A thin, lightweight, semi-transparent bond-type paper, often used for carbon copies and interleaving.

Papeterie Papers

High-quality writing or greeting card papers, usually sold in boxes and used for stationery sets.

Proofing Paper

Used for checking proofs. May range from high-grade coated stocks to cheaper sheets for galley proofs.

Rag-Content Papers

Papers containing a minimum of 25% rag (cotton) fiber, known for durability, strength, and premium feel.

Vellum

Refers to finish rather than composition; strong, cream-colored paper resembling parchment, often used for special documents.

Packaging & Industrial Papers

Papers and boards primarily used for wrapping, protecting goods, insulation, construction, and other industrial or packaging purposes.

Abrasive Papers (Sandpaper)

Heavy, strong paper coated with abrasive materials like flint or silicon carbide for smoothing surfaces.

Absorbent Papers

Soft, spongy, unsized papers that readily absorb water or chemicals. Includes blotting, filter, and toweling papers.

Alkali-Proof Paper

Paper that does not discolor upon contact with alkaline materials (e.g., soap). Suitable fibers and dyes must be chosen.

Anti-Tarnish Paper

Papers prepared to not rust or discolor metals. Used for wrapping silverware, blades, and other metal goods.

Asbestos Paper

Made from asbestos fibers, offers fire retardancy and heat insulation. Used in industrial applications.

Asphalt Papers

Coated, saturated, or laminated with asphalt for waterproofing (roofing paper, sheathing paper).

Bag Paper

Kraft or similar strong paper for grocery and retail bags. Specialized variations exist for candy, nuts, and garbage bags.

Bloodproof Paper

Hard-sized, wax-treated paper resistant to blood, used in butcher shops and meat packaging.

Boards (Cardboard)

Thicker and more rigid than paper; used for packaging, displays, and backing. Includes numerous varieties.

Bogus (Bocus)

Imitation grades made from inferior materials, used often as fillers or low-grade wrapping materials.

Bread Wrappers

Thin, often waxed paper for wrapping bread. May be printed with branding.

Bristols

Cardboard about 6 points or more thick. Used for tags, covers, and stiff writing surfaces.

Building Papers

Strong-fibered papers used in construction (sheathing, insulation). Made from various raw materials.

Cable Paper

High tensile strength paper used as electrical insulation for cables and wires.

Candy Twisting Tissue

Lightweight, often waxed tissue for wrapping individual candies.

Carbon Tissue / Paper

Tissue coated with carbon black or other pigment for making duplicate copies by pressure.

Cartridge Paper

Un-sized, cylinder-made paper for making shotgun shells and similar uses.

Catalog Paper

Lightweight paper, often containing groundwood, used for catalogs, directories, and mail-order booklets.

Filter Paper

Porous, unsized paper for separating solids from liquids or gases, available in various porosities.

Fireproof Paper

Paper treated so it will not burn with a flame, though it may char. Used in industrial safety applications.

Gummed Paper

Paper coated with adhesive (e.g., dextrin) on one side for labels, tapes, and seals.

Hanging Paper

Base stock for wallpaper; later coated and printed with decorative patterns.

Heat-Sealing Papers

Coated or impregnated to become adhesive when heated, used in heat-sealable packaging.

Kraft

Strong, tear-resistant paper from sulfate pulp, widely used for wrapping, bags, and packaging.

Laminating

Building thicker boards by combining layers of paper or board with adhesive.

Leatherboard

Used in shoes and other sturdy products, sometimes includes leather waste for durability.

Machine Glazed

Dried on a polished cylinder (Yankee dryer) to create a high-gloss finish on one side.

Manila

Originally from manila hemp, now denotes a durable, tan-colored paper for folders, envelopes, wraps.

Matrix Paper

Bulky, absorbent paper for making molds (matrices) of printing plates. Compressible and strong.

Needle Paper

Anti-tarnish black wrapping paper for needles, razor blades, and other small metal items.

Oatmeal Paper

Wallpaper base containing fine sawdust for texture.

Parchment (Vegetable Parchment)

Acid-treated paper that becomes greaseproof, water-resistant, and strong. Used in baking and packaging.

Reinforced Paper

Papers strengthened with fibers, threads, or cloth for extra durability.

Strawboard

Board made from straw pulp, used for boxes, corrugation. Provides rigidity at low cost.

Tissue Paper

Very lightweight paper (<18 lbs.) for wrapping, decoration, packing delicate items.

Twisting Paper

High tensile strength paper cut into strips and twisted into yarn or twine.

Vulcanized Fiber

A dense, hard board from treated cotton paper for electrical insulation, luggage, and similar uses.

Water Finish

A gloss finish achieved by moistening sheets before calendering.

Waxed Paper

Coated with wax for grease/moisture resistance, often used in food wrapping.

Specialty & Technical Papers

Papers designed for specific technical applications, unique functional properties, or special coatings/treatments.

Album Paper

Heavy cover paper for photo albums, must accept paste without cockling and avoid discoloring prints.

Anti-Tarnish Paper

(See Packaging) Inhibits tarnish on metals.

Art Paper

Coated or highly finished paper suitable for fine image detail and color reproduction, often used in art prints.

Baryta Paper

Coated with barium sulfate for a smooth, low-gloss surface. Common as a base for photographic emulsions.

Basic Size / Basis Weight

Reference terms: Basic size is a standard sheet dimension; Basis weight is the weight of a ream at that size.

Blanks

Thick cardboard (coated or uncoated) in standard thicknesses for calendar backs, signs, and displays.

Blueprint Paper

Base stock for blueprinting. Must be of good formation and free from chemicals that affect sensitizing solutions.

Carbon Tissue / Paper

(See Packaging) Tissue for carbon copies.

Cartridge Paper

(See Packaging) For shotgun shells.

Catalog Paper

(See Packaging) Lightweight, groundwood-based for catalogs/directories.

Chart Paper

Dimensionally stable paper for charts and graphs, must handle pen/pencil and resist humidity changes.

Check Paper

Bond paper treated with chemicals/dyes to prevent alteration of checks.

Cigarette Paper

Thin, uniform paper (often linen/flax) for rolling cigarettes, may contain calcium carbonate filler.

Coarse

(See Packaging) Utility grades like wrapping, towels, tags.

Condenser Tissue

Very thin, uniform paper free of conductive particles, used as dielectric in capacitors.

Currency Paper

Rag-based, high-strength paper used for banknotes and securities, with exceptional durability and stability.

Decalcomania Paper

Used as a base for decals. After printing, designs transfer onto other surfaces when moistened.

Deckle Edge

Feathered, untrimmed edge of a sheet, often for aesthetic or traditional appeal.

Drawing Paper

Papers for pen/pencil drawings, available in various grades and surfaces.

Duplex

Papers/boards with different color/finish on each side, achieved during manufacture or by pasting layers.

Egg-Carton Board

Board for egg cartons, must have good folding properties and strength.

Embossed

Paper/board with a raised pattern or texture created by pressing between engraved rollers.

Envelope Paper

Papers for envelopes vary widely, from inexpensive to premium grades.

Featherweight

Extremely lightweight papers for special applications where low weight is critical.

Filter Paper

(See Packaging) Porous paper for filtering solids from fluids.

Fireproof

(See Packaging) Treated to resist flame.

Flint Glazing

Polishing coated paper with a smooth flint to achieve a high polish finish.

Flock Paper

Paper coated with adhesive and dusted with powdered fibers for a velvety surface.

Fly Paper

Sticky or poison-coated paper to trap/kill flies.

Foil Paper

Paper laminated with metal foil for decorative or special packaging uses.

Folder Stock

Stiff board used for file folders with high tear strength and good folding properties.

Fruit Wrap

Lightweight tissue used to wrap fruit for shipping. Sometimes chemically treated to delay spoilage.

Glassine

A dense, translucent, grease-resistant paper often used for wrapping food, photos, and stamps.

Granite Paper

Papers containing dyed fibers for a mottled, granite-like appearance.

Greaseproof

Paper treated during manufacture to resist grease/oil penetration, often used in food packaging.

Groundwood Papers

(See Packaging) Papers containing mechanical pulp, such as newsprint.

Heat-Sealing Papers

(See Packaging) Activated by heat for sealing.

Insulating Board

Board used in construction for insulation, soundproofing, and sometimes fire resistance.

Japan Paper

Imitation of Japanese vellum with long fibers and a mottled appearance, used in artistic printing.

Jute Paper

Made from jute fiber, known for high strength and folding endurance, often for industrial uses.

Laminate/Laminating

(See Packaging) Combining layers for desired thickness/properties.

Leatherboard

(See Packaging) Used in shoes and sturdy products.

Machine Glazed

(See Packaging) High-gloss finish on one side.

Manila

(See Packaging) Durable, tan-colored paper.

Matrix Paper

(See Packaging) For molds in printing plate making.

Needle Paper

(See Packaging) Black anti-tarnish wrapping paper.

Oatmeal Paper

(See Packaging) Wallpaper base with sawdust texture.

Papier-Mache

From waste paper and glue, molded into shapes for crafts, decorations.

Patent Coated

Board lined with white stock in manufacture, not actually coated but appears so.

Photographic Paper

Base for photosensitive emulsions, must be chemically pure and uniform.

Plate Finish

High gloss from pressing between polished metal plates.

Playing-Card Stock

Stiff, coated board for playing cards, with a polished finish.

Poster Paper

For outdoor posters/billboards, must withstand wet paste and have good colorfastness.

Proofing Paper

(See Printing) For checking print accuracy before final runs.

Reinforced Paper

(See Packaging) Extra strength via fibers or laminates.

Rice Paper

Made from plant pith, not true paper. Used in crafts and decoration.

Strawboard

(See Packaging) Rigid board from straw pulp.

Tissue Paper

(See Packaging) Lightweight paper for wrapping and delicate uses.

Twisting Paper

(See Packaging) For twisting into yarn or twine.

Vulcanized Fiber

(See Packaging) Dense board for insulation and containers.

Water Finish

(See Packaging) Gloss from moisture-calendering.

Waxed Paper

(See Packaging) Wax-coated for grease/moisture resistance.

Willesden Paper

Cuprammonium-treated, tough, waterproof, and rotproof for roofing and insulation.

Art & Creative Papers

Papers favored by artists, photographers, and designers for their surface texture, color fidelity, and aesthetic qualities.

Album Paper

(Also under Specialty) Heavy cover for photo albums and scrapbooks.

Art Paper

(Also under Specialty) High-quality, often coated for fine art prints and illustrations.

Drawing Paper

(Also under Specialty) For various drawing media, offering different textures and surfaces.

Japan Paper

(Also under Specialty) Mimics Japanese vellum, valued in artistic and fine printing.

Vellum

(Also under Printing) Smooth surface for invitations, calligraphy, and fine art prints.

Other Terms & Definitions

Miscellaneous terms related to paper properties, measurements, and finishes.

Basic Size

The standard sheet dimension and count used to determine the basis weight of a paper.

Basis Weight

The weight in pounds of a ream (usually 500 sheets) at the basic size. Also can be expressed in grams per square meter (gsm).

Deckle Edge

(Also under Specialty) The feathered edge of a sheet formed naturally or simulated for aesthetic reasons.

Paper Manufacturers

A short list of manufacturers of paper

Domtar

http://www.domtar.com/.

Mohawk

http://www.mohawkpaper.com/

Neenah Paper

http://www.neenahpaper.com/

Last updated: December 19, 2024