Here are descriptions of
different families of papers. The different papers described here are arranged by
their countries of origin, and technical terms used in their descriptions are highlighted
and will send you to my glossary of terms for definitions. For technical information
regarding paper contents, pH ratings, and recommended uses refer to the Specific
Information page. For general questions regarding papers, see the General
Information page.
(Arranged by their country of origin.)
Click on highlighted words to access their descriptions in the glossary.
Egypt
Papyrus: After the style of the ancient Egyptians, these sheets begin with the pith of the papyrus plant which is cut into thin strips and soaked in water. The hydrated pieces are then cut to the length of the sheet to be made. A layer of parallel strips is placed on a piece of cotton and then a second layer perpendicular to the first. The completed sheet is then covered with a second piece of cotton and pressed between two pieces of felt to dry. Dark papyrus is aged in water longer than normal to achieve a darker color and less solid sheet. Papyrus is suitable for painting, writing with many varieties of inks, bookbinding, etc. Egyptians consider it the "everlasting" paper as papyrus has been found in perfect condition in tombs and temples dating back to 2700B.C.
England
Gateway Vellums: Deluxe tracing vellums with an ideal surface for pens, inks, and pencil with outstanding erasing qualities. Manufactured from sulphate wood fibers, and mechanically treated to minimize loss in strength while providing maximum translucency to white and UV light. Can be used in Xerox copiers and with plotters as well as being ideally suited for traditional drafting.
France
Colombe: Handmade at the Moulin de Larroque, Colombe has a richly textured surface and is lightly internally sized. 100% cotton rag with four natural deckled edges. Ideal for intaglio, embossing, engraving, carborundum, letterpress, and monotype. Colombe should be lightly sprayed with water, then covered with plastic for at least on hour prior to printing. Not surface sized, but will accept light washes. Available in white and thirteen colors.
Le Carte Pastel: From Sennelier, this board offers a unique surface created specifically for pastel artists. Finely ground pH neutral cork powder is hand applied to a 200 lb, neutral pH board, creating a perfectly smooth and uniform paper with a slightly abrasive surface. Pigment adhesion is so good that fixative is hardly needed. Le Carte Pastel is sturdy, archival, and resistant to fading. Available in fourteen colors.
Mouchette: Handmade by Larroque, Mouchette natural papers are flecked with fibers and other natural inclusions. Mouchette colored papers are characterized by white flecks throughout the sheets. These papers are lightly sized, 100% rag, and acid free with four deckled edges. The colored sheets may vary from batch to batch since they are made using (sorted) colored fabric remnants from the French fashion industry.
Germany
Gravure:
India
Text and Cover: Scattered spring bouquets of flowers and grass and minute strands of wool and jute are some of the inclusions used to decorate these beautiful, inexpensive sheets of Indian paper. The surface texture has a slight wove finish, and because it is handmade, the paper varies in weight, texture, and design. Trimmed to a 22x30" sheet, these papers are excellent for invitations, stationery, bookbinding, framing, box making, etc.
Silkscreen/Woodblock: These striking geometric patterns are individually hand pressed on the handmade paper with wood blocks using a method adapted from fabric printing. The sheets with one impression are always hand blocked; the sheets with two impressions may be hand-screened for the first impression, but the second impression is hand-blocked. The resulting intricate patterns range in color and design from subtle to vibrant.
Indonesia
Tapa Cloth: What can I say about paper that is so popular we can't keep it in stock? Traditional tapa cloth has been unavailable for years, and today it still is! Hopefully tomorrow the great surf will subside near our Indonesian mill and the workers will get back to making those rich, deep brown, soft yet textured sheets that the missionaries used to clothe those naked natives they found enjoying Polynesian beaches everywhere during their 19th century travels.
Italy
Ingres: Fabriano Ingres is an elegant watermarked, mould-made acid free drawing paper with two deckled edges. Ideal for charcoal, pastel, pencil, calligraphy, book arts, and offset printing. Two sheet sizes are available; 20x27" sheets are available in 23 colors and weigh 90 gm/m2, and 27x39" sheets are available in 19 colors and weigh 160 gm/m2.
Tiziano: Made by Fabriano, this 160 gm/m2 acid-free paper is made of 40% cotton, is lightfast, has a hard surface and good texture. It is recommended for pastel, graphite, charcoal, tempera, and air brush. Twenty nine colors are available. Two sheet sizes, 20x26" and 27x39". Black and White are also available in 59"x11 yard rolls.
Uno: The newest paper from western Europe's oldest paper mill, Uno watercolor paper was designed with input from American artists, working with Italian papermakers to rival the most popular French watercolor paper. White, but not too white, and evenly externally sized, but not too much, Uno never smells like a wet dog.
Japan
Ginwashi: A long standing favorite of artists and crafts people, this lovely translucent paper with a gentle sheen and soft, delicate strands of short fibers makes excellent lampshades, shoji screens, and accents for invitations.
Hosyo Professional: Traditionally used for Japanese woodcuts, this thick, strong, and absorbent paper is excellent for wood block printing because it does not shrink or tear easily. It is made from highly refined wood pulp, has a laid pattern, and fine tooth.
Lace, Lightweight: A diaphanous handmade paper with a beautiful maple leaf motif. The pattern, reminiscent of old fashioned lace, is created by a strong spray of water over a stencil or screen which has been laid on top of a freshly formed sheet of paper. The Japanese call this process "falling water". This delicate lightweight paper is used in Japan for paper lanterns, partitions, lampshades, and collage and also works well for invitations or flysheets for bookbinding.
Lace, Morishita:
Lace, Ogura: Strongest of the lace papers, the Ogura lace is machine-made from 100% manila hemp. To form the distinctive lace pattern, long fibers are separated by a "falling water" effect on the newly formed sheets to form various holes within the paper.
Lace, Rayon:
Momi (KYOSEI-SHI): A beautifully textured paper made by hand using traditional Japanese paper-making techniques. This soft, wrinkled paper is covered with a konyaku solution that makes the paper stronger and gives it a water resistant quality. Konyaku is a jelly-like substance that is created from the tuberous root of the Devil's Tongue plant. Historical note: Monks of the Todaiji Temple in Nara use these papers to make special clothing worn during a traditional ceremony called "Omizuutori". Momi metallic papers are machine made yet crinkled by hand and get their color from imitation gold and silver powder mixed with paste and then spread on the sheet of paper. Momi pearlized papers are soft and luxurious with subtle glistening pearlescence. To get its sheen, mica is brushed onto the formed sheet which is then hand crumpled and hung to dry.
Sunomi: Shimmering gold and silver inks are used to print an elegant laid pattern on this beautiful handmade Japanese paper. The pattern of the chain lines is created using a special tool called the "su". The word "sunomi" means "mesh of su" in Japanese. An excellent paper for backgrounds and accents.
Unryu with gold and silver flecks: An elegant, translucent paper with long, white fibrous strands and faux gold and silver leaf floating throughout. An excellent paper for invitations, wrapping paper, collage, chin colle, etc.
Yuzen: Made in Japan, these silk-screened papers have intricate designs with some originating from famous Yuzen patterns for Japanese kimonos and others from modern motifs. Designs are silk-screened by hand onto pH neutral papers using water soluble inks. Ranging from delicate butterflies to vivid geometrics, these papers create stunning accents for bookbinding, collage, greeting cards, boxes, jewelry, etc.
Watermark: This sophisticated sheet of paper comes in six designs; stripe, fleur de lys, diamond, calligraphy, romance, and mystic dance. The effect is similar to a traditional watermark but is machine formed. It is a beautiful paper for decorative use, laser compatible for business correspondence, and lightly sized for personal correspondence.
Nepal
Lama Li: Handmade paper from the mountains of Nepal, Lama Li is available in twenty colors, as well as in ten festive styles decorated with silkscreened butterflies or flowers, or decorated with gold leaves from the bodhi tree. These lokta papers have a smooth surface, and four natural deckled edges. Great for printing as well as bookarts and any decorative paper applications.
Lokta: Deep, rich earthtones in solid and two-tone "pinto" patterns are the allure of these vegetable-dyed papers from Nepal. These sheets are handmade from fiber of the "Nepal paper plant", called the Daphne shrub. The "back" side of these sheets are equally as beautiful as the "front". When glued down the papers take on the look of leather which makes them great for bookarts.
Philippines
Reversibles:
Salago: An impressive line of medium weight papers made from salago, a wild shrub similar to the Japanese mulberry tree. Salago pulp is also used to make currency in the Philippines because of its strength and natural sheen. The papers in this line contain inclusions of coconut, rice hulls, abaca fibers, or hand torn banana bark. A wide color range includes bright colors, earthtones, and subtle pastels.
Woven: In one day an expert weaver can hand weave 3-4 sheets of this paper, while a beginner may spend all day on only a half sheet. The beautiful texture of these papers makes them excellent for bookarts and portfolios. Be careful when cutting as the loose ends will need to be tacked down or they will fray.
Spain
Barcelona:
Taiwan
Crushed Leather: Rich texture adds dimension to this machine made paper. Consistent and easy to work with, this paper is perfect for bookarts. Also available in stationery, this paper is laser and ink jet compatible.
Granite: Subtle crater-like indentations create interest in this elegant paper. As with its cousin papers, crushed leater and pearlized, it is available in stationery. Try the white or champagne for a stand out resume.
Thailand
Banana: Thick chunks and strands of banana bark dance on lightweight kozo sheets in a palette of folk art colors. A festive paper for projects of all kinds.
Batik: This fun, bold paper is hand batiked with vibrantly colored lobsters, fish, flowers, lizards, and frogs. These bright patterns are first drawn in liquid wax and then hand painted. The colorful designs stand out on handmade kozo paper.
Bird's Nest: The name says it best! This unique, thick paper is handmade from coconut hair and tree debris producing a rough, straw-like texture. Because of its unusual texture and rich color, it is great for decorative arts and collage.
Garden: Ferns, marigolds, bamboo, bougainvilla, leaves and grass - everything you could find in your garden and then some is included in this gorgeous range of handmade papers. The Chaotic Strings and Floating Blocks each have their own unique texture created by the strands or squares of kozo bark. These two very different papers show the multi-faceted nature of kozo.
Marbled Papers: Immense flowing patterns are created by hand to form these intriguing marbled papers. An occasional imperfection is part of the character of hand decorated paper and adds beauty and variety. Available in beautiful color combinations with accents of gold and silver ink.
Mulberry: This mulberry paper is machine-made from 100% kozo, a fiber which creates strong, smooth, and flexible paper. It is available bleached (white) and unbleached (natural) and is an excellent sheet for wood block, silk screen, drawing, matting, and bookbinding. The sheet has two deckles and a neutral pH. Available in both versions in 45 gm weight sheets and rolls, unbleached in 15 gm weight sheets, and in a newer lightweight (7gm) sheet with a laid pattern.
Soft Metallics: Similar to the Japanese momis this line of papers is machine made and brushed with acrylic metallics to create wonderful colors. The gold and silver are great for holiday cards and gift wrap, while the more industrial feel of the grey, taupe and blue add an exciting element to collage.
Unryu: Long, swirling strands of kozo provide subtle contrast and texture in these traditional style unryus. These lightweight papers are translucent and are available in a wide spectrum of colors ranging from soft pastels to rich, vibrant hues. Some unryu papers are available with inclusions such as chips of mulberry bark, mango stems and leaves, gold strands, bright stars, or pieces of newspaper or sheet music.
Unryu - Heavyweight Crinkled: Softer than the reversible unryu, this crinkled paper is available in muted earthtones with chips of mulberry bark peppered throughout the sheet. Though the paper is machine-made, it gets its texture by hand-crinkling each sheet and treating it with a vinyl acetate which strengthens the paper and makes it water resistant.
Unryu - Reversible: Stronger and more durable than the unryu, these reversible papers are created by hand laminating and crumpling two contrasting sheets of unryu with a neutral polyvinyl acetate-based adhesive. This process gives the paper a coarse texture and adds weight to the sheet. When wet, this paper has a great deal of elasticity. An excellent paper for bookbinding, box making, frames, and decorative projects.
Unryu - Soft: This machine-made, 100% kozo paper is hand- wrinkled giving it the look and feel of fabric. It is a strong and resiliant paper with long, silky fibers that flow throughout and has soft irregular edges. An excellent paper for photo backgrounds since it drapes beautifully. Other uses for this paper are as vast as the imagination.
U.S.A.
Coffee: Available in a 28# text weight , or a 70# cover version, Java paper from Green Field takes its name from the roasted chaff from coffee beans which are blended with recycled fibers to create a custom brewed paper. White with brown flecks, Coffee paper is pH neutral, 100% recycled and processed chlorine free.
Garlic: Available in 28# text or 70# cover stock, Garlic paper from Green Field combines genuine garlic skins from Gilroy, California (the garlic capitol of the world) with recycled fibers to create a lovely paper. Lavender in color, Garlic paper is pH neutral, processed chlorine free, and 100% recycled.
Hemp Heritage: Hemp paper from Green Field blends recycled hemp fabric trimmings with post consumer waste paper. Available in either white or light green sheets of 28# text or 70# bond, and a new 120# Multimedia weight (white only), Hemp Heritage paper is 100% recycled, chlorine free, acid-free and archival.
Junk Mail: Handmade at the Green Field paper mill in San Diego, California, Junk Mail blends chunks of real third class mail with recycled fibers. A light gray paper, pH neutral, 100% recycled.
Organic Cotton: Green Field Terra Sketch organic cotton paper is a strong, top quality cotton sheet suitable for drawing or light watercolor. Manufactured with organically grown cotton, this paper combines the environmental benefits of using a renewable resource while not contributing to the long-term global problem of toxic pesticide pollution (cotton is currently the most heavily sprayed crop on the planet). Unbleached, acid-free, and archival.
Silkscreens: Black Ink took some of their favorite papers and had them silk-screened in the U.S. with their "romance" design. The result is a wonderful paper and because of the many different background papers, the uses are endless. The vellum based paper is a natural for wedding invitations, the Lokta based papers are beautiful book covers and the bagasse and commercial based papers add that special something when wrapped around a gift.
Tea Leaves: Tea Leaves paper from Green Field is a 70# cover stock made from recycled fibers with brewed tea leaf inclusions. White with dark tea leaves, this paper is pH neutral, processed chlorine free, and 100% recycled.
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