1

Design and Technology 8552

Papers and boards

Unit 3Materials and their working properties

Objectives

• Know the primary sources of materials for producing

papers and boards

• Be able to recognise and characterise different types

of papers and boards

• Understand how the physical and working properties

of a range of paper and board products affect

their performance

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Starter

• Think of the range of papers

and boards you will have

encountered today

• Make a list of the different types and

suggest their characteristics, for instance

rigid, opaque, smooth

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

What is paper?

• Papers and boards are made from natural fibres

(cellulose), usually sourced from wood

• Other sources of fibre include

bamboo, flax, hemp, kenaf,

straw and sugarcane

• Wood fibres are mostly sourced

from faster growing softwoods

rather than hardwoods

• Rag paper is made using

cotton which gives it superior

strength and durability

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Pulp

• The first stage in the production of paper and board

is to make pulp

• The natural cellulose fibres are mixed with water

• This mixture is cooked which produces a fibrous

liquid known as pulp

• Pulp is fed onto a mesh conveyor which allows excess water

to drain away

• This makes its way through a series of rollers which help to

press, form and dry the pulp into a continuous sheet which is

either rolled or cut to size for commercial processing

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Treatments and finishes

• The final finish of paper or board depends upon:

• the type of fibre used to make the pulp

• any chemicals added during the manufacturing process

• the addition of layers, different coatings or laminates

• bleaching level which decreases the natural colour so it

becomes whiter

• When a high quality ‘bright’ paper is required,

bleached pulp would be used

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Paper weight

• Paper is characterised by weight

• The weight is measured in grams per square metre (GSM)

• Understanding the different types of paper available will help

you select the right material for the job

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Bleedproof paper

• Bleedproof paper is smooth

and has a special coating to

reduce absorbency

• When drawing with a marker pen or

writing with ink, the paper keeps the

ink on the surface which creates

a crisper line or mark

• It resists bleeding and feathering

• It’s lightweight at around 70-80gsm

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Cartridge paper

• A thick, quality paper with a slight texture

• It’s used particularly for pencil and ink drawings and paintings

• Available in a range of weights, a heavier paper at 200gsm

is more suitable for watercolour and acrylic painting

• Would this type of paper be given a coating? Justify your

answer

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Plotting data

• Grid paper has printed squares or isometric grids

• These are printed with feint lines that enable the user to draw

graphs and diagrams, plot mathematical functions or add

scientific data

• Lines can be printed in

different weights

• How does grid paper help with

accuracy when drawing a plan,

for instance the layout of a

new kitchen?

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Design and layout

• In the early stages of planning for

a painting or design, artists may

use layout paper and tracing paper

for working sketches and ideas

• Layout paper is lightweight and smooth

with greater opacity than tracing paper

• It accepts pencil and most other

media well

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Translucency

• Tracing paper is smooth and sold in pads and rolls

• Ranging from 40gsm up to 280gsm for specialist uses

• It is made in the same way as ordinary paper, but is passed

through a bath of acid which partially dissolves the paper

• This increases the translucency, and it also increases the

stability of the paper

• As well as for tracing, suggest where else you may

find this type of paper in use

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Worksheet 1

• Complete Task 1 of your Worksheet

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Cardboard

• A heavy duty paper available in a range of

thicknesses and strengths

• Board is measured in microns –

1000 microns equal 1mm

• Board can be made from

recycled paper

• It can be laminated to

other materials to increase

strength or provide an

alternative surface

• All of these characteristics make board a very versatile

product. Suggest some innovative uses of cardboard?

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Corrugated cardboard

• Corrugated board is made up of

one or two outer flat layers and a

corrugated layer

• Commonly used for delivery

containers and packaging

• It’s lightweight, but strong

• With a smooth surface, it can

easily be printed on

• Suggest a common use in

the catering industry for

corrugated cardboard

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Foil lined board

• This is made from a stiff card lined with aluminium

foil on one side

• Cartons containing liquid are

foil lined making it food safe

• The card also has a waxy

coating to make it resistant

to oils and liquids

• Where else might you find

foil lined card?

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Duplex board

• Duplex board is made up of two layers

• The exterior will have a wax coating

to provide a moisture barrier and

give it a glossy sheen

• Its smooth white surface makes

it suitable for offset printing

• Its weight, 200 – 500gsm, also

makes it ideal for folding

and die cutting

• Suggest three other household

products which would be made

using Duplex board

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Foam board or foamcore

• Foam board consists of a sheet of

polystyrene foam sandwiched between

outer layers of paper

• Rigid and lightweight, it is often used

as a backing material for graphic signage

• It cuts cleanly with a sharp blade

making it very suitable for

architectural models or prototypes

• How recyclable is foamcore?

• What could be used as an alternative

material?

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Solid white board

• Solid white board is a high quality

board with a bright white finish

• Weights range from 200gsm –

500gsm

• It’s strong, smooth surface makes

it suitable for book covers and

product packaging

• It accepts printing and surface finishes

• What process would the wood pulp

undergo to produce this bright white

board?

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Ink jet card

• Designed for use with an inkjet printer,

the inks sit on the surface of the paper

• With a special coating this increases

the stability of the print

• A good smooth surface, ensures

even ink coverage and absorbency

• Available in weights ranging

from 120-350gsm

• A matt or gloss coating enables a

variety of images to be printed

• When would a matt finish be more

suitable for use?

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Worksheet

• Complete Tasks 2 and 3 of the Worksheet

Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties

Plenary

• Identify any papers and boards in this image and

justify why each is suitable for its purpose

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Paper and boards

Unit 3 Materials and their working properties