1.2 Applications of Paper and Card

Question 1

What is paper weight measured in?

Answer 1

Grams per square metre (gsm)

Question 2

From what weight is it classified as a board?

Answer 2

220 gsm

Question 3

What is the thickness of board measured in?

Answer 3

microns (μm) - 1000μm is 1mm of thickness

Question 4

What are paper sizes globally set as?

Answer 4

A, B and C series

Question 5

What is A series?

Answer 5

Standard trimmed paper stock

Question 6

What is B series?

Answer 6

Alternative sizes often used in industry

Question 7

What is C series?

Answer 7

Used for envelopes

Question 8

What is RA series?

Answer 8

105% of A series

Question 9

What is SAR series?

Answer 9

115% of A series

Question 10

Why do we need untrimmed sizes?

Answer 10

• It allows bleed from the printing process
• the papers are trimmed to size after they have been printed

Question 11

What is corrugated card made up of?

Answer 11

Of one or two flat outer layers, called liners, and a corrugated medium

Question 12

Why is card stronger in one direction than the other?

Answer 12

The corrugations become “columns” running in one direction which make the board resistant to bending or crush deformation along the direction of those “flutes”

Question 13

What are the advantages of using board for packaging?

Answer 13

• The outer layer can be printed on (for branding and advertising)
• Readily available in a range of sizes
• Cheap due to lower-grade raw materials and a natural finish
• Fully recyclable

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of using board for packaging?

Answer 14

• It absorbs moisture
• Cannot pack very heavy items as it can tear or collapse when stacked

Question 15

What is tracing paper?

Answer 15

Translucent paper slightly thicker than layout paper used for copying images when sketching

Question 16

What is layout paper?

Answer 16

• Thin translucent paper but greater opacity than tracing paper, off-white colour
• Good for tracing ideas and laying out plans
• Not as strong as tracing paper

Question 17

What is bleed proof paper?

Answer 17

• Designers use bleed proof paper for hand drawn marker renderings
• It does not allow ink or solvent basedmarker pens to bleed through

Question 18

What is cartidge paper?

Answer 18

• Off-white paper with a slightly textured finish - takes various drawing media very well
• Used in Art and D&T departments for use with pens, pencils, pastels, crayons, inks and some paints

Question 19

What are the characteristics of watercolour paper?

Answer 19

• Highly absorbent – therefore little or no sizing
• It can withstand large amounts of water and retain its structural integrity, remaining flat when dried
• It has a matte, lightly textured finish

Question 20

What is sizing?

Answer 20

A substance that is applied to paper to improve the absorption and wear characteristics of the paper

Question 21

What are the characteristics of mount board?

Answer 21

• Made from compressed fine cotton fibres to produce a rigid board
• Used for presenting artwork, picture mounting and modelling

Question 22

What are the characteristics of bleached card?

Answer 22

• It is chemicaly treated on both sides to brighten the surface and to make it suitable for high-quality printing
• It is used for high-end packaging and greeting cards

Question 23

What are the characteristics of duplex card?

Answer 23

• A twin layered board
• Food safe and can be coated to increase water and oil resistance
• Usually used for packaging (as it folds, cuts and prints well) as well as food packaging

Question 24

What are foil backed and laminated card?

Answer 24

• Card with polymer film or foil applied to either one or both sides to provide water resistance and/or a heat insulating layer.
• Used for drinks packaging, milk cartons, take away box lids etc.

Question 25

What is metal effect card?

Answer 25

It has a layer of metallic foil bonded to its surface to give it a bright metallic effect.

Question 26

What is moulded paper pulp

Answer 26

• It’s an economical way to create specific forms for protective and secure eco-friendly packaging
• It’s moulded when wet and dried to a specific shape

Question 27

Why is corrugated card suitable for a take-away food container such as a pizza box?

Answer 27

• It is easy to cut and fold into a box shape using a die cutter
• It is a food-safe material
• It is an insulating material, due to the air pockets within the corrugation
• It is a lightweith material which makes it easier to carry on a delivery bike
• A pizza box is a single use product, and corrugated card is easily recycled, so the box shouldn’t contribute to landfill
• It is biodegradable - landfill

Question 28

CARTON BOARD