Final Production / 4.2g /
Paper, Pulp, Board, & Synthetic Papers
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Paper is a thin sheet material produced by mechanically or chemically processing cellulose fibres derived from wood, rags, grasses or other vegetable sources in water, draining the water through fine mesh leaving the fibre evenly distributed on the surface, followed by pressing and drying.
4.2g.1 | Characteristics of Paper
4.2g.1 | Characteristics of Paper
For our purpose, we can consider paper products to fall into the four categories below. Each type has its own qualities and applications.
Paper - Paper is under 250 g/m2 and is flexible. It can be as thin as tissue paper, up to business card thickness. It is used in books, promotional materials, and packaging (tissue paper)
Paperboard - Paperboard is like card and weighs above 250 g/m2. Its attributes are its foldability and rigidity. It is often used in packaging
Pulp - Pulp is a fibrous material that is separated from wood. It is used in the making of paper and cardboard. It can also be pressed into moulds, which is how designers often use it.
Corrugated Cardboard - Corrugated cardboard consists of one or more layers of fluted card laminated between one or more flat sheets. It is often used in packaging, as well as prototyping.
Paper comes in different weights. When selecting paper, use the g/m2 weight to guide you. Paper suppliers will also have a Swatch Book of samples of the different papers, weights, and textures. You can request this from most suppliers
Bond Paper
74 g/m2; This is the standard type of paper used in printers and photocopiers.
Book Paper
89 - 162 g/m2; This is the standard type used in books.
Cover Paper
216-271 g/m2; This is noticeably thicker and stiffer. It is used on softcover books.
Card
298-460 g/m2; This is the type of paper used for business cards, folders, or greeting cards
Paperboard is available in a range of colours, textures and thicknesses. It often comes in a range of natural colours (browns and greys), and has a thickness between 1mm to 3mm. Single and Multi-ply Paperboard is available in different layers, from single-ply with one layer to multiply with 3 or more layers. Different layering means different bending properties. Single-ply (1) tends to crack or tear on the outside face. Multiple-ply (2) does not crack but tends to wrinkle on the inside of a fold. Because of its qualities, paperboard is ideal for prototyping. The qualities of paperboard also make it ideal for highly detailed and delicate work cut on a laser cutter.
Paper pulp can be press moulded into various forms. It is commonly used for packaging and support material. However, some designers have started to explore its aesthetic and sustainability qualities in various designs.
Corrugated Cardboard comes in varying types. The main distinction is the number of flutes (wavy parts) in the card. The greater the number, the thicker the cardboard and the stronger it is. Cardboard comes in standard thicknesses and configurations. When specifying a type of cardboard, be specific in the type you are going to use.
Synthetic papers present many unique opportunities for designers because they combine some of the qualities of natural fibre-based papers with special qualities such as waterproofness or strength. Film synthetic papers are typically natural fibre material covered with a thin plastic-like material (on one or both sides). Fibre synthetic papers substitute natural fibres for synthetic ones. Most synthetic papers are referred to by their trade names. DuPont Tyvek for instance is a popular synthetic material that presents lots of options to designers.
4.2g.2 | Recovery and Disposal
4.2g.2 | Recovery and Disposal
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