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Preface
Notebooks and paper are essential stationery items for physical documentation. The Fun Stationery Box has compiled foundational knowledge about paper and notebook construction, aiming to assist users in selecting notebooks with optimal practicality.
Understanding Paper Specifications
When selecting paper, key parameters such as thickness and whiteness play a critical role. Choosing inappropriate specifications may result in poor ink performance, including color distortion and ink bleed-through. A thorough understanding of paper specifications serves as the primary criterion for effective paper selection.
Whiteness: Indicating the Degree of Paper Brightness
Whiteness refers to the degree of visual brightness or light reflectance of paper. For writing applications involving ink, excessively bright paper is not necessarily ideal. Although wood pulp-the primary raw material in papermaking-is naturally off-white, bleaching processes are employed to enhance its brightness. Traditional Japanese methods involve soaking pulp in river water over extended periods to remove impurities and achieve natural whitening, a process known as "river drying." In contrast, European paper industries historically adopted chlorine-based bleaching agents to produce highly white paper. However, contemporary standards recognize that higher whiteness does not always equate to better quality. Paper with a whiteness level between 80% and 85% is classified as cream-colored, offering reduced glare and a more comfortable visual experience during prolonged reading or writing.
Basis Weight: Measuring Paper Thickness in Grams per Square Meter (g/㎡)
Paper thickness is commonly expressed in grams per square meter (g/㎡), a metric indicating the mass of one square meter of paper. In China, this parameter is formally termed "quantitative," while it is colloquially referred to as "gram weight" in the industry. Generally, lower basis weights correspond to thinner paper, while higher values indicate greater thickness. However, this relationship is not strictly linear, as fiber composition and manufacturing techniques also influence perceived thickness. Writing-grade paper typically ranges from 70 to 90 g/㎡.
Smoothness: Evaluating Surface Uniformity
Microscopic examination of paper reveals surface irregularities caused by fiber distribution. These variations define the paper's smoothness. Smoothness can be measured by recording the time required for air to pass through microscopic gaps on the paper surface under standardized conditions, with results expressed in seconds. Alternatively, optical methods assess smoothness based on the amount of light reflected from the surface. It should be noted that the front and back sides of paper often exhibit different smoothness levels due to directional fiber alignment during production.
Impermeability: Assessing Resistance to Ink Bleed-Through
"Ink bleed-through" occurs when liquid ink penetrates through the paper, causing text blurring and reduced legibility. Cellulose fibers derived from plants are inherently hydrophilic, making untreated paper susceptible to ink absorption. To mitigate this issue, sizing agents-such as gelatin, synthetic resins, and starch-are added during manufacturing to enhance impermeability. Adjusting these additives allows manufacturers to optimize paper performance for water-based inks, such as those used in fountain pens.
Grain Direction: Longitudinal versus Transverse Orientation
Paper exhibits directional mechanical properties due to the alignment of fibers during the manufacturing process. When fed through a paper machine, pulp flows predominantly in one direction, resulting in a grain direction-referred to as the "longitudinal" direction-along which the paper bends more easily. Perpendicular to this flow is the "transverse" direction, where increased resistance to bending is observed due to cross-fiber structural integrity. Understanding grain direction is important for binding durability and user handling.
Paper Dimensions
Various systems exist for standardizing paper sizes, including the international A and B series and traditional Japanese formats. Among these, A4 and B5 are widely used in Japan. The following outlines the principles underlying these measurement systems.
A Series Paper Sizes
Defined by the German DIN standard, A0 paper has an area of exactly one square meter and an aspect ratio of 1:√2 (width:length). Successive halving along the longer side produces A1, A2, A3, A4, and so forth. The commonly used A4 size measures 210 mm in width and 297 mm in length.
B Series Paper Sizes
The B series originates from traditional Japanese Mino paper but is also recognized internationally. B0 paper has an area of 1.5 square meters and maintains the same 1:√2 aspect ratio. Sequential folding along the long edge generates B1, B2, B3, B4, etc. The frequently used B5 size measures 182 mm in width and 257 mm in length.
The Silver Ratio in Paper Design
Both the A and B series adhere to the 1:√2 aspect ratio, known as the silver ratio. This proportion has been historically associated with aesthetic harmony. A key advantage of this ratio is its geometric self-similarity: when bisected parallel to its shorter side, each resulting rectangle retains the original aspect ratio.
Notebook Structure
Each component of a notebook has a designated technical term. Familiarity with these terms enhances comprehension of notebook design and facilitates informed selection.
Cover: In Japanese terminology, the outer protective layer is referred to as "obiki."
Spine: The central binding axis, visible when the notebook is upright, is known as the spine. Printed information on the side of the notebook typically appears along this region.
Throat: The internal binding area where pages are secured is called the throat.
Corner: The outer edge of the cover material is termed a corner.
Headband: The reinforced strip at the top and bottom edges of the spine is known as the headband (or canvas), aiding in durability and ease of retrieval when stored vertically.
Top Margin: The upper boundary of the notebook page is traditionally referred to as "Tian" or "tou."
Bottom Margin: The lower boundary is known as the ground.
Bookmark: The ribbon insert used for marking pages is officially designated as the bookmark.
