(This page revised July 16, 2018)
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[ Reference Info Index | Glossopedia ]
calender | (not to be confused with calendar) A machine in the finishing process of paper manufacture where the paper is pressed between rotating cylinders to smooth or glaze. | ||||||||||
calcium carbonate | An alkaline chemical (CaCO3) used in paper manufacture as a filler, opacifier, and brightness improver to replace clays (which are used in acidic papers) in alkaline papers. See also opacity. | ||||||||||
caliper | The thickness of paper measured in points or mils equal to one thousandth of an inch. | ||||||||||
cellulose |
What paper is all about. This is the chief constituent of the cell walls of plants. All plants have the potential to produce cellulose. Here is the cellulose content of some of the more popular plant sources for paper use:
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chain lines | These are actually watermarks resulting from the wire mesh on which paper is formed. The lines appear in laid paper when held to the light. They are the longer lines, usually one inch apart and run parallel to the direction of the paper's grain. See also laid lines, laid papers. | ||||||||||
coating | A layer applied to the surface of paper composed of minerals intended to increase the brightness, gloss, or printability of paper. One must beware of the coating on less expensive papers which, although they improve the paper for the use of modern printers and photocopiers, but can clog a fountain pen. | ||||||||||
cockle finish | A surface like fine grain produced by air drying paper with controlled tension. It is a popular finish in bond papers. See also bond. | ||||||||||
cold press | This is a rough or heavily textured finish given to the surface of a sheet of paper by passing it through cold, polished metal rollers, or with handmade paper a re-pressing of wet sheet without benefit of intermediate felts. This term is frequently applied to watercolor paper and let it be a warning to fountain pen users as the surface is too rough for your writing instrument. See also finish, hot press. | ||||||||||
colorfast | Color in a paper that is resistant to change from aging or light. See also lightfastness. | ||||||||||
cotton | Aw, come on, do I have to define everything for you. The fibers of cotton are long, strong, and flexible, which makes them excellent for paper. Papermakers use cotton linters or fabrics that have been made of cotton to produce fine papers. | ||||||||||
cotton linters | (also linters) The cotton fibers that remain stuck to the seed after the first ginning. It is used to make paper pulp. | ||||||||||
cotton rag | Fibers derived from textiles (simply old rags) made from cotton. These fibers are longer and tougher that cotton linters. | ||||||||||
cover papers | A thick, rigid paper (usually 80 lbs.) that is used primarily to cover and protect printed materials. | ||||||||||
cross direction | The direction across the grain in which paper is resistant to folding, will crack and wrinkle and be uneven. It is, however, more durable under stress and harder to tear. See also against the grain, grain direction. | ||||||||||
curl | The tendency of paper to bend by itself due to internal stresses in the sheet from unevenly distributed moisture and conditioning. | ||||||||||
cylinder machine | A papermaking machine in which is a rotating cylinder covered with wire that is partly submerged in a vat of stuff. The sheets are formed on the wire mesh which permits water to drain. The paper is then lifted from the cylinders by an endless felt. Also referred to as a mould machine or cylinder mould machine. See also stuff. |
The information in this glossary is as accurate as possible, but you should not take it as absolutely authoritative or complete. If you have additions or corrections to this page, please consider sharing them with us to improve the accuracy of our information.