Papermaking

Papermaking is the craft and industry of producing the substrate or media for the printing of content both text and imagery. To say the invention in China and development of paper was historically significant is an understatement. Paper has underpinned world economic development exactly the same way electronic media and computer coding has provided a ‘container’ or medium for the transmission of information. For thousands of years paper was the primary transmitter of information, slowly replaced today and in recent history, by electronic transmission across television, radio, tape and internet.

The world centres of papermaking roughly align to the availability of wood pulp, electricity and water and industrial capability. They are in order of importance:

• China – The world’s largest paper and paperboard producer.

• United States – Major producer, especially in packaging and pulp.

• Japan – Known for both high-tech paper and traditional washi.

• Germany – Leading producer in Europe.

• Finland & Sweden – Global leaders in pulp, specialty papers, and sustainable forestry.

• Canada – Major pulp and newsprint producer.

Understanding paper is only really necessary for high end designers and print specialists. But the editors of the Encyclopaedia of Book Printing thought it too fundamental to ignore.

The process: Wood is turned into paper. An important stage is if the lignin in wood is extracted. Lignin is like a glue that holds wood fibres together. Chemicals can dissolve the lignin freeing cellulose, the key ingredient in high-end papermaking for book printing. The ‘kraft’ process uses chemicals to dissolve the glue-like lignin freeing the cellulose.

Paper that has not had the lignin removed might be called  groundwood, bulky paperback or newsprint. It’s cheap and is used by publishing companies producing cheap books from their backlist. But sometimes its used for poetry and artbooks – its got a grungy, earthy natural feel.

Paper made from refined cellulose fibres – chemically refined paper – has sophistication, is smooth offering better colour reproduction and a quality feel.