If you have any needs pls contact me-
Whatsapp number of Ivy: +86 18933516049 (My Wechat +86 18933510459)
Email me: 01@songhongpaper.com
Paper can be classified according to various criteria, including application. Based on usage, paper is broadly categorized into printing paper, packaging paper, industrial paper, office paper, household paper, and specialty paper. This document provides a detailed overview of several widely used paper types:
Newsprint
Commonly referred to as white paper, newsprint is characterized by its softness, porosity, moderate structural strength, and excellent ink absorbency, enabling rapid ink penetration and adhesion during high-speed rotary printing. It resists smudging when folded and is primarily used for newspapers, periodicals, and general books. The basis weight is typically 51 g/m². Roll widths are available in 1572 mm, 1562 mm, 787 mm, and 781 mm, while sheet sizes include 787 mm × 1092 mm. Newsprint exhibits opacity but relatively low whiteness, with variable surface smoothness. For image printing, a coarser screen mesh (e.g., below 60 lines/cm) is recommended. However, it tends to yellow and become brittle upon prolonged exposure to sunlight, making it unsuitable for long-term archival purposes.
Boxboard
Also known as corrugated cardboard or hemp board, boxboard is a rigid paperboard used in durable packaging for books, consumer goods, electronics, machinery parts, and food products. Available in basis weights of 200, 310, 420, and 530 g/m², it features a smooth surface and high mechanical strength, ensuring durability during transportation and storage.
Coated Paper (Copperplate Paper)
Commonly termed coated paper, this high-quality printing paper is produced by applying a coating-composed of calcium carbonate or kaolin mixed with binder-onto base paper, followed by drying and calendering. Its fine texture, high smoothness, gloss, and balanced oil absorption make it ideal for gravure or offset printing of color magazines, illustrations, calendars, maps, and premium packaging. Available in single- and double-sided variants, it is graded into special, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, with basis weights ranging from 80 to 250 g/m². High coating strength is essential to prevent powdering and enable fine-screen printing (60 lines/cm or higher).
Offset Paper
Previously known as "Daolin paper," offset paper is specifically designed for offset printing of books and periodicals. It is suitable for printing covers, text pages, inserts, picture magazines, maps, promotional materials, trademarks, and packaging. Classified into special, No. 1, and No. 2 grades, its basis weight ranges from 70 to 150 g/m². Made from high-strength pulp, it offers excellent printability, dimensional stability, and surface strength. To avoid chemical degradation during printing, the pH should be neutral or slightly alkaline. Recently, lightweight offset papers (40–80 g/m²), including offset book paper and newsprint, have been developed for efficient printing applications.
Letterpress Paper
Designed for letterpress printing on books, stationery, and magazine content, this paper has basis weights of 52 and 60 g/m² and is available in both roll and sheet forms. With a smoothness of 30 seconds (Beck test) and opacity of at least 88%, it offers better surface quality than newsprint and improved longevity. However, it is prone to fiber shedding and is not recommended for offset printing. Additionally, it may exhibit ink bleeding when used for writing.
Straw Board
Also known as yellow board or horse dung paper, straw board is a coarse, yellowish packaging board used for product packaging, carton manufacturing, bookbinding, and ledger cover linings. Basis weights range from 200 to 860 g/m², with common specifications including No. 8 (420 g/m²), No. 10 (530 g/m²), and No. 12 (640 g/m²). It must possess a compact, robust structure, a smooth surface, and adequate mechanical strength and flexibility.
White Board
Also referred to as Manila board, white board is a high-grade white paperboard used for packaging hats, children's educational materials, and labels for stationery, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Basis weights range from 200 to 400 g/m². It is uniform in thickness, free from fuzzing or powder shedding, flexible, and resistant to cracking when folded.
Book Cover Board
A key material in hardcover bookbinding, book cover board includes white board, yellow board, and boxboard. These are primarily used for hardcover book casings and envelopes. When used as a structural core, they provide durability, aesthetic appeal, and enhanced preservation over time.
Calcium-Plastic Paper
Resembling conventional paper in appearance, calcium-plastic paper is water-resistant, moisture-proof, flame-retardant, and possesses high bursting and tear strength. Produced through intense kneading and calendering at approximately 160°C, it is available in thicknesses comparable to cardstock or heavier board. It allows moderate ink penetration, enabling clear printing of text and images. Suitable for printing book cards, securities, labels, and decorative prints, it is also used in moisture- and oil-resistant corrugated boxes for transporting sensitive goods.
Kraft Paper
A strong, brownish-yellow packaging paper, kraft paper is widely used for bags, envelopes, record sleeves, files, and sandpaper. Basis weights range from 40 to 120 g/m², and it is available in roll and sheet formats, with finishes including single-gloss, double-gloss, and striped. Key qualities include toughness, high tensile and compressive strength, and resistance to tearing under load.
Cellophane
Also known as transparent paper, cellophane is a premium transparent packaging and decorative material resembling glass. Used for wrapping food, fruits, clothing, cigarettes, and cosmetics, it has a basis weight of 30 g/m² and comes in colorless or tinted varieties (e.g., golden yellow, peach pink, emerald green). It is impermeable to air, oil, and water, and offers softness, strength, and a glossy finish. While effective in preventing moisture and rust, it is prone to cracking under stress. Due to its high longitudinal strength, it can be processed into paper rope. Notably, waste cellophane is non-recyclable.
Postal Envelope Paper
An ultra-thin, single-sided glossy writing paper with a basis weight of 20 g/m², postal envelope paper was originally used as stamp backing and for sealing insured mail. Today, it is commonly employed in cosmetic, fruit, and food packaging, as well as cigarette liners. After printing and waxing, it serves as candy wrapping or substitutes for carbon paper in multi-copy forms, receipts, and legal documents. Requirements include thinness, toughness, high transparency, tensile strength, and low air permeability.
Paper for Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
Used for brush-based writing and painting, this category includes Yuan paper, Xuan paper, and rough-edge paper. Yuan Shu paper is made from plant fibers such as bamboo, bark, rags, hemp, and rice straw. Through soaking, steaming, natural bleaching, and refining, the pulp is manually formed on bamboo screens, pressed, and dried on heated walls. The resulting paper is white (or slightly yellow), uniform, soft, ink-absorbent, and dimensionally stable. Xuan paper, crafted from sandalwood bark and rice straw pulp, is renowned for its origin in Xuancheng, Anhui. Raw Xuan is suited for freehand brushwork, while processed Xuan supports detailed painting. It is white, flexible, durable, and insect-resistant. Rough-edge paper, made from tender bamboo, has a light yellow hue. Even historical paper is pure white. Both types are used for ancient texts, inscriptions, letters, and fan paintings.
Glossy Paper
A single-sided glossy paper used for writing, office tasks, and promotional materials, glossy paper is also suitable for labeling, calendar printing, stationery, and invoices. Formerly known as office paper or snow lotus paper, it is available in three grades-Special, No. 1, and No. 2-with basis weights from 18 to 40 g/m². Quality standards include uniform thickness, smooth surface, light sizing for easy writing, moderate water resistance, and availability in colored, glossy finishes. Colored glossy paper, often called slogan paper, is primarily used for banners and posters.
Typing Paper
A thin paper designed for typewriting and carbon copying, typing paper is now also used for receipts, tickets, and letterheads. Graded into Special, No. 1, and No. 2, its basis weight ranges from 24 to 30 g/m², with 28 g/m² being standard. It must not exceed 0.05 mm in thickness, ensure uniformity, allow single-pass typing with multi-page duplication, and resist ink bleeding. Colored variants are used for multi-part forms and tickets.
Writing Paper
A widely consumed cultural paper, writing paper is used for forms, exercise books, notebooks, and record sheets. Available in five grades-Special, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4-it has a basis weight between 45 and 80 g/m². Requirements include bright whiteness, smoothness on both sides, compact formation, and resistance to ink penetration during writing.
Gravure Paper
Used for printing color publications, periodicals, comics, albums, stamps, and securities, gravure paper shares similar dimensions with newsprint, letterpress, and offset paper, and is available in roll and sheet formats. It demands high surface smoothness, dimensional stability, and low shrinkage. High whiteness, smoothness, and softness are critical for optimal print reproduction.
Cast Coated Paper
Also known as glassine-coated or glass powder paper, cast coated paper is a premium coated printing paper with an exceptionally smooth surface. A thick coating (20–39 g per side) is applied to the base paper and dried against a highly polished, chrome-plated cylinder at temperatures around 100°C, producing a gloss level of approximately 85 without additional calendering. Embossing with patterned rollers can create textured finishes such as cloth or chicken skin patterns. Primarily used for high-end covers, inserts, and luxury packaging, embossed variants are favored for calendars and business cards.
