Different types of paper

Up to and including a weight of 179 g/m² is generally referred as paper. From 180 g/m² it is called cardboard. In even higher grammages from 500 g/m² onwards, it is referred to board or plate.

The choice of a particular type of paper and cardboard depends to a large extent on its application possibilities and properties. A subdivision into types can be made on the basis of application:

We will explain the most common types in more detail:

Corrugated cardboard consists of one or more layers of corrugated paper. In combination with one or more layers of flat paper, these layers acquire a certain stiffness or strength with impact-resistant properties. The individual layers of paper, called liners, usually are made of strong paper types. A distinction can be made between single-sided corrugated cardboard (a corrugated paper web, pasted on a smooth coating) and double-sided corrugated cardboard (a corrugated paper web on which a coating is pasted on both sides).

Graphic paper is paper that is made for graphic applications. For example, the paper for books, magazines, newspapers, art, envelopes, but also wallpaper. Graphic paper comes in many shapes and sizes. Different grammages can be found in each category. The choice of a particular type of paper is dictated by various factors. These include the desired appearance of the final product, the printing and finishing process used and the intended quality of the printed matter, for example. 

Hygienic or sanitary paper comes in a variety of types. As well as paper types for cleaning the home and business. Some examples are:

• Facial tissue
• Toilet paper
• Kitchen paper
• Industrial cleaning paper

Waste paper is almost in all cases used for the production of toilet paper. The Netherlands has two factories that produce toilet paper. These work with 100% recycled paper as raw material. Cheap variants of toilet paper often consist of one layer. More expensive variants consist of multiple layers of paper. Advanced weaving structures provide extra strength.

Graphic board is a three layer solid board used in handbound books, folders, ring binders, binders, game boards, jigsaw puzzles, displays, advertising boards and luxury packaging. Graphic board is made from recycled paper. The main properties of graphic board are stiffness, flatness and an even surface. Graphic board is made on long-screen machines. The thickness of the paperboard is between 1 and 4 mm.  The base layer (base bow) is made on the board machine. In the same process, the layer is then covered on both sides with thick paper produced on a paper machine.