1.2 Paper and board

Properties of layout paper

Thin translucent paper with a smooth surface

uses of layout paper

sketching, quick ink, technical drawing, tracing

Properties of cartridge paper

Off white paper usually with a slightly textured surface

Uses of cartridge paper

Sketching, rendering in pencil, ink and pastel. Can be used for printing

Properties of tracing paper

Translucent paper slightly thicker than layout paper

uses of tracing paper

Copying images when sketching

properties of bleed proof paper

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

Uses of bleed proof paper

Spirit based marker rendering

Properties of treated paper

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 of treated paper

Photographic printing

properties of watercolour paper

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

uses of watercolour paper

watercolour painting

properties of corrugated card

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

uses of corrugated card

Protective packaging, model making, prototyping ideas, food packaging such as takeaway boxes

Properties of bleached card

chemically treated to brighten the surface to make it suitable for high-quality printing

Uses of bleached card

Greeting cards, high quality packaging

properties of mount board

Made from compressed fine cotton fibres to produce a rigid board

Uses of mount board

Presenting artwork, Modelling, Picture mounting

properties of duplex card

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 of duplex card

Food packaging such as juice or milk cartons, Disposable cups, Plates

Properties of foil backed and laminated card

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 of Foil backed and laminated card

Drinks packaging, Milk cartons, Take-away box lids

properties of metal effect card

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

Uses of metal effect card

Gift boxes, Packaging, High-quality metal effect business cards

properties of moulded paper pulp

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 of moulded paper pulp

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

Properties of foam board

Two outer layers of card with a foam middle core, available in a range of thicknesses

Uses of foam board

Mood board backing, presentation boards, modelling

Properties of fluted PP sheet

Extruded sheet with integral 'flutes' or corrugations. Lightweight and easily bent along the flutes.

uses of fluted pp sheet

Signs (such as construction site signs, sale boards for estate agents), storage box construction, portfolio cases, small models

properties of translucent pp sheet

An extremely tough polymer sheet. Can be scored before bending to produce a plastic hinge, which can be folded many times. Virtually impossible to tear, water resistant.

properties of styrofoam

Dense, closed cell foam, commonly blue in colour. Can be cut, shaped and sanded with standard workshop tools.

uses of styrofoam

Product modelling, formers for moulding and laminating

Properties of LDPE

tough, availiable in thin sheet form, transparent, good chemical resistance

uses of LDPE

food wrapping, air pillow packaging, bubble wrap, carrier bags

properties of Plastazote foam

Closed cell polyethylene foam, tough, flexible, good impact resistance, impermeable to liquids.

Uses of plastazote foam

Protective packaging, swimming floats, gym and exercise mats, sound and pipe insulation, stage props

properties of cellulose acetate

transparent, tough, naturally biodegrades

Uses of Cellulose Acetate

Packaging film, membranes, photographic film

properties of polylactide

transparent, tough, naturally biodegrades

Uses of Polylactide

Biodegradable packaging film

What are the stock forms of paper and board?

A sizes A0 - A8 which are half has big as its last size. Commercial sizes may work in A-RA or A-SRA which are slightly larger and allow any bleeing to to trimmed

What is paper thickness measured in?

Grams per square metre (gsm) - standard 80gsm, mount board is 100 gsm

What are papers and boards made out of?

wood pulp, cellulose fibres, wood chips, chemicals (bleaching)