Papers and Boards

Papers are made from natural fibres, most commonly from wood pulp, which are processed into a slurry and then dried to form a flexible sheet.
They are characterised by their light weight, flexibility, and the ability to be printed upon.
Newsprint is a cheap, low-quality paper used primarily for newspaper production due to its absorbency and affordability.
Cartridge paper is a high-quality paper, heavier than newsprint and often used for drawing or painting as it can withstand erasing and heavy shading.
Layout paper is lightweight and semi-transparent, suitable for initial ideas and sketching.
Card and Board fall under this category too, but they are thicker and more rigid.

Boards are similar to paper but much thicker and stiffer. They are used for applications that require more strength and rigidity.
Corrugated board is commonly used for packaging applications due to its cushioning properties and resistance to impact and compression.
Solid whiteboard is used for high quality packaging and book covers due to its smooth finish and printability.
Duplex board has a different finish on each side and is often used for food packaging due to its resistance to moisture.
Foamboard has a foam core sandwiched between two paper layers, making it lightweight and useful for model making.

Paper and board can undergo several converting processes to form final products including cutting, folding, creasing, gluing, and laminating.
Special techniques, like die cutting, embossing, and UV varnishing, can at times be used to alter the physical properties of paper and boards.
Printing methods, including screen printing, digital printing, and lithographic printing, are all used to add design elements on papers and boards.
When working with papers and boards, safety is less of a concern compared to working with metals or woods, but care should be taken to avoid cuts and paper-related injuries.

Both paper and board are primarily created from trees, a renewable resource, but their manufacture can involve substantial energy consumption and waste generation.
Many types of paper and board are recyclable, leading to less waste. However, the recycling process itself can consume significant energy and water.
Increasingly, recycled paper and boards, as well as options including sustainable forest paper and board, are being used to lower environmental impact.