Surface characteristics of paper formed at the wet end of a paper machine, using woven wool or synthetic felts with distinctive patterns to create a similar texture in the finish sheets. The top side of the paper, usually recommended for best printing results. The slender, thread-like cellulose structures that cohere to form a sheet of paper. A generic term to describe the non-oxidizing clays or minerals added to the pulp at the beater stage to improve paper density. A bast fiber from the gampi tree used in Japanese papermaking to yield a smooth, strong sheet.
Long grain describes fibers running parallel to the longest side of a sheet.
In both cases the mould is covered by a flat frame called a deckle, to contain the run-off of wet pulp, dipped into a vat of wet pulp, shaken to distribute the fibers evenly and drained of its excess water. A long, tough fiber that produces strong, absorbent sheets. The speed at which a pigment or colored paper fades in sunlight. A component of the cell walls of plants that occurs naturally, along with cellulose. Lignin is largely responsible for the strength and rigidity of plants, but its presence in paper is believed to contribute to chemical degradation.