Paper, Pulp, Board, & Synthetic Papers
Types of paper and pulp materials
For the purposes of designers, we can consider paper products to fall into four categories. Each type has its own qualities and applications.
Paper
Paper is under 250 gsm 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 gsm. Its attributes are its foldability and rigidity. It is often used in packaging
Pulp
Pulp is the fibrous material that is separated from wood. It is used in the making of paper and cardboard. Is can also be pressed into moulds, which is how designers often us it.
Corrugated Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard consists of one or more layers of flted card laminated between one or more flat sheets. It is often used in packaging, as well as prototyping
Paper
Paper Types
Paper thickness and weight can be confusing. Depending on the type of paper, or the region, different terms may be used.
For our purposes, we will use GSM (grams per square meter) as it is the most universal. You can learn more about the other units here.
GSM refers to how many grams per square meter the paper weighs.
Bond Paper
74 gsm; This is the standard type of paper used in printers and photocopiers
Book Paper
89 - 162 gsm; This is the standard type used in books
Cover Paper
216-271 gsm; This noticeably thicker and stiffer. It is used on softcover books.
Card
298-460 gsm; This is the type of paper used for business cards, folders, or greeting cards
Common Paper Weights and Uses
When selecting paper, use the gsm 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.
Paperboard
Textures and colors and thicknesses
Paperboard is available in a range of colors, textures and thicknesses.
In our studio, it comes in a range of natural colors (browns and grays), and thicknesses between 1mm to 3mm.
Single and Multi-ply Paperboard
Paperboard is available in different layers, from 1 to 3 layers. Notice how the different layers bend.
Single-ply (1)tends to crack or tear on the outside face.
Multiple-ply (2) does not crack, but tends to wrinkle on this inside of a fold.
Laser cutting
The qualities of paperboard make it ideal for the highly detailed and delicate work cut on a laser cutter.
Pulp
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.
Pulp Lamp by David Gardener is a good example of sustainable design. The packaging forms the product.
Corrugated Cardboard
Cardboard come 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.
How it's made - Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard comes in standard thicknesses and configurations. When specifying a type of cardboard, be specific in the type you are going to use.
Single Face Corrugated Cardboard
Single Wall Corrugated Cardboard
Double Wall Corrugated Cardboard
Honeycomb Cardboard
Synthetic Papers
Synthetic papers present many unique opportunities for designers because they combine some of the qualities of natural fiber based papers with special qualities such as waterproofness or strength. These specialized papers are either create as a film or fiber.
Film synthetic papers are typically a thin plastic-like material. They may or may not coat both sides of a natural fiber material.
Fiber synthetic papers substitute synthetic fibers for natural ones.
Most synthetic papers are referred to by their trade names.
DuPont Tyvek is a popular synthetic material that presents lots of options to designers.
