Historical data
The first mention of paper dates back to the 2nd century BC. e. It was invented in China by a court official and began to spread far to the West and Central Asia. In 793, it began to be made in Baghdad, and then further in the East. In the 14th century, paper mills began to operate in Europe.
By the middle of the 15th century, with the advent of printing, the demand for this material was rapidly increasing. The main raw materials for its production are cotton and linen. In the 18th century, with growing demand and a shortage of paper, the search began for other raw materials that could satisfy the needs of manufacturers. So, in the 19th century they began to make it from wood. During the same period, more modern equipment was produced, and new methods for producing this material were developed.
Today, the ancient craft is already a highly technical industry. While the manufacturing process has undergone many changes, the production of special varieties characterized by high strength is still based on the use of cotton or flax fibers.
Today it is impossible to imagine our life without paper. In addition to its main purpose, it is used to embody creative ideas, create compositions and decoration. However, even in ancient times, various figures were made using paper, pictures were painted, and homes were painted and decorated with it. Some techniques for working with paper have been known since ancient times.
Paper cutting
In ancient China, the art of carving from this material arose against the backdrop of making stencils that were used for embroidery. Their ornaments were distinguished by their complexity and originality. In Japan, stencils cut from paper were used to print images on fabrics.
Later, this technique of working with paper became known in Europe and was widely used by monks to design manuscripts. After the material began to be used almost everywhere, people began to cut out figures, people, animals and scenes from life to decorate their homes. And today, in some countries, competitions and festivals are held in this type of art, where you can see truly unique products.
Peculiarities
Details about the density (g/m2) of sheets of ordinary office paper a4, offset, newspaper, for postcards
When choosing paper for drawing, you should take into account some features. Let's take a closer look.
A very important feature is the density of the sheets. It is determined by the weight of 1 sheet with an area of 1 m²
The low density does not allow you to work with an eraser or use it, since the sheets are thin and loose, easily torn when erased and deformed when wet. Paper with good density will be practically unaffected by such external influences.
The texture or grain of a sheet is determined by its smoothness. The texture may be pronounced or absent. With a high degree of grain, the work will be voluminous and lively.
- Such a feature as working with an eraser is also very important. After all, there are species in which it is almost impossible to remove a pencil mark. In this case, it may tear or wrinkle. Most often, it is difficult to work with an eraser on sheets with low density.
- The whiteness of the drawing paper can be very important in some cases. For example, if in the future you need to scan your work, it is better if the sheets are perfectly white. This way the resulting scanned document will be clear and eye-catching.
General classification of printed types of paper by type of printing
If you know how you'll be printing on your paper, you can be more intelligent when choosing it.
Special types of paper
- documentary
- banknote
- cartographic
- for dictionaries (“bibldruk”)
- self-copying
- self-adhesive
- design (cover, endpaper, decorative)
- with watermarks
- and others
These types of paper are also used for printing in a number of other derivative ways using a printing form: flexographic, screen, offset, lithographic, etc.
European classification of printed types of paper, taking into account the characteristics of its technology
| Paper subtype designations | Characteristics of the fiber composition | Characteristics of finishing and surface treatment |
| MWC (Medium Weight Coated) | With wood pulp content | Supercalendered (polished) or matte double coated (full coated) |
| LWC (Light Weight Coated) | With wood pulp content | Supercalendered or matte single coated (semi-coated) |
| MFC (Matt Free Coated) | With wood pulp content | Matte single coat |
| SC (Super Calendared) | With wood pulp content | Supercalendered without coating |
| M.F. | With wood pulp content | Matte without coating |
| WF/HWC(Wood Free/Heavy Weight Coated) | Pure cellulose (Wood Free) | Super calendered or matte triple coated (full coverage) |
| WF/MWC (Middle Weight Coated) | Pure cellulose (Wood Free) | Supercalendered or matte double coated (full coverage) |
| WF/LoWC (Light Weight Coated) | Pure cellulose (Wood Free) | Super calendered or matte single coated |
| WF/MF (Matt Free Coated) | Pure cellulose (Wood Free) | Matte without coating |
The weight of 1 m2 of printed papers ranges from 20 to 250 g/m², these values cover the entire range of printing papers, although there are exceptions where the printing paper has a weight of 1 m2 exceeding 240 g. Fibrous materials with higher weights 1 m2 refers to cardboard. The figure schematically shows the difference between the types of printing paper shown in the table, depending on whiteness and roughness.
We wrote about printing paper here: Choosing paper for books; Paper for promotional products; Paper for newspapers and magazines; Paper for digital printing; There are problems with the printing process. Effect of paper
How to choose?
You should choose drawing paper based on what tools you will use. This will determine how thick the paper you need. If you most often draw using one technique, then it is much more convenient and cheaper to buy folders of at least 40 liters. Professional paper must be of high quality. You can often see insignia on the packaging indicating this.
Before making a purchase, it would be better to read reviews about the brand you have chosen. They will help you not make mistakes and take into account the advantages and disadvantages that customers have already encountered.
For gouache. It is better to paint with gouache on sheets with high density. Their surface should be rough, then the gouache will have good adhesion and lie smoother. Gouache from a smooth sheet may crumble after drying. Drawing paper and cardboard are excellent options.
For oil paints. Traditionally, artists use canvas or board for oil paints. But it is much more convenient to use special paper or thick cardboard for oil to create quick sketches. On sale you can find sheets for oil painting, which in quality and texture are very similar to linen canvas.
For information on how to choose drawing paper, see below.
Quilling
This name comes from the word quill, which means "bird feather". The technique of working with quilling paper involves twisting long strips of different widths into spirals and giving them a certain shape. Then three-dimensional or planar compositions are created from them.
The method originated in Europe approximately in the second half of the 14th - early 15th centuries. In the 20th century it was practically forgotten and only in recent years has it begun to gain popularity again. Despite the attitude towards paper as something fragile and short-lived, quilling makes you believe the opposite. For example, you can safely place a heavy object on a stand made using this technique without damaging any of the spirals.
