Your complete paper guide.
Size.
The majority of papers are supplied in the standard “A” series of sizes, as illustrated. Others are complementary to the more traditional British Standard sizes of previous years.
Weight & thickness.
Weight is expressed in “gsm” (grammes per square metre). Thickness is measured in microns (thousandths of a millimetre). There is no direct correlation between these two measurements.
Colours.
Should you need to see a sample of any sheet to check the exact colour, please telephone our Customer Service Department.
Range.
Should you have any suggestions for enhancement of the range please talk to your Account Manager or telephone our Customer Service Department.
Pack sizes.
Most paper is packed in reams. 1 ream = 500 sheets.
Paper types & their uses
Card.
Ideal for certificate printing, card making and mounting projects. We have coloured card available in a variety of colours and types.
Poster.
Perfect for backing paper, and creating eye-catching displays. Coloured one side only, has fade resistant properties and available in vivid colours.
Mounting.
A similar weight to card, but available in larger sheet sizes. Often sized in A size +, therefore artwork done on A4 or A3 size paper can be directly mounted onto the card with a neat border in place.
Gummed.
Excellent for early years collage and avoiding the cost and mess of using PVA glue or similar adhesive. Coloured one side, available in matt or gloss finish and a wide colour range.
Understanding the jargon
What is GSM?
This is the weight of the paper in grams per square metre
What are Microns?
This is the measurement of the paper for thickness
Cellophane.
Ideal for art and craft projects such as lantern making and window decorations, this transparent film comes in a range of colours. Can also used for spectrum related projects in early years science.
Tissue.
A lightweight paper (18-20gsm) perfectly suited to a whole host of art and craft projects. Use with PVA glue to create a papier mâche type finish to projects, which hardens when dried out.
Sugar.
Ideal for painting, pastels and crafting, this all purpose art paper is widely used in classrooms due to its versatility and low cost.
Crépe.
Crépe is tissue paper that has been coated with sizing and then “créped” to create gathers. Sizing is a material such as glue, gelatin, gum, or starch, added to paper pulp to add sheen and stiffness, among other things. This gives crépe paper a distinct texture and feel.
Newsprint.
This lightweight drawing paper is very absorbent, so is not recommended for painting projects, but the rough surface of the paper makes it ideal for practicing with pastels, charcoals and pencils before putting marks on a more expensive, higher quality paper.
Tracing.
A lightweight, transparent paper that allows users to copy the outline of a complex image and then replicate it on to another blank sheet, allowing the image to be manipulated. Good for use in lino-printing projects.
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