Friesens Corporation - Book Division - Plant & Paper Specifications

Paper Terminology

Because the appearance of the printed image can vary greatly when different types of printing papers are compared, the choice of paper is a very important one. In addition to choosing between coated and uncoated, other paper properties must be considered as highlighted in the above list.

Basis Weight

Basis weight is the weight in pounds of a standard ream (stack) of paper with a sheet count of 500. The dimensions of the standard ream differ if the stock is for text or for covers.

For book text stock the standard ream is 25 x 38 inches. Therefore, paper with a 70 lb. basis weight means that a stack of 500 sheets of paper with a dimension of 25 x 38, weighs 70 lbs. Paper can also be indicated in terms of M weight which means the weight of 1,000 sheets of a standard ream. In the above example, the weight would be 140M.

Opacity

Paper opacity, or the extent to which paper is opaque, refers to its ability to prevent the transmission of light. Opacity is created in paper when light striking a paper surface is either reflected, absorbed, or scattered internally. Opacity is a desirable quality that minimizes or eliminates show-through of the printed image. Opacity is affected by the thickness of the sheet and the use of mineral fillers like titanium dioxide.

A sheet with 100 opacity would allow absolutely no light through the sheet, and therefore have no show-through of the printed image.

Brightness

Brightness should not be confused with whiteness. Brightness is a measure of reflected light from the surface of the sheet. Recorded values range from 1% to 100%. The higher the percentage, the higher the brightness. Paper brightness is controlled primarily by the degree of fiber bleaching and by the choice of fillers. High brightness is generally desirable to promote visual contrast between printed and unprinted areas of the paper.

Thickness

Thickness is often refereed to as caliper and is measured in mils or thousands of an inch. In book manufacturing, the bulk of the paper determines the thickness of the book, so it is also expressed in terms such as the number of pages per inch (ppi).



	Paper Terminology Because the appearance of the printed image can vary greatly when different types of printing papers are compared, the choice of paper is a very important one. In addition to choosing between coated and uncoated, other paper properties must be considered as highlighted in the above list. Basis Weight Basis weight is the weight in pounds of a standard ream (stack) of paper with a sheet count of 500. The dimensions of the standard ream differ if the stock is for text or for covers. For book text stock the standard ream is 25 x 38 inches. Therefore, paper with a 70 lb. basis weight means that a stack of 500 sheets of paper with a dimension of 25 x 38, weighs 70 lbs. Paper can also be indicated in terms of M weight which means the weight of 1,000 sheets of a standard ream. In the above example, the weight would be 140M. Opacity Paper opacity, or the extent to which paper is opaque, refers to its ability to prevent the transmission of light. Opacity is created in paper when light striking a paper surface is either reflected, absorbed, or scattered internally. Opacity is a desirable quality that minimizes or eliminates show-through of the printed image. Opacity is affected by the thickness of the sheet and the use of mineral fillers like titanium dioxide. A sheet with 100 opacity would allow absolutely no light through the sheet, and therefore have no show-through of the printed image. Brightness Brightness should not be confused with whiteness. Brightness is a measure of reflected light from the surface of the sheet. Recorded values range from 1% to 100%. The higher the percentage, the higher the brightness. Paper brightness is controlled primarily by the degree of fiber bleaching and by the choice of fillers. High brightness is generally desirable to promote visual contrast between printed and unprinted areas of the paper. Thickness Thickness is often refereed to as caliper and is measured in mils or thousands of an inch. In book manufacturing, the bulk of the paper determines the thickness of the book, so it is also expressed in terms such as the number of pages per inch (ppi).



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