Paper is a thin, flat material produced by the compression of fibers. The fibers used are usually natural and composed of cellulose. The most common source of these kinds of fibers is wood pulp from pulpwood trees, (largely softwoods) such as spruce. However, other vegetable fiber materials including cotton, hemp, linen, and rice may be used. Though generally considered a flexible material, the edges of paper sheets can act as very thin, fine-toothed saws, leading to paper cuts.

Manufacturing

---

Whether done by hand or with a paper machine, the paper making process has three simple steps:

Preparation of the fibers

The material to be used for making paper is first converted into pulp, a concentrated mixture of fibers suspended in liquid. The source of fiber is often natural (softwood or hardwood trees or other plants) or recycled, such as old corrugated boxes, newsprint, or mixed paper.

When best sheets materials are used to make paper, it is usually necessary to break down the lignin inside of the plant's cell walls. This is done via a chemical process, such as the Kraft process. These processes are not needed when breaking down recycled fibers, as the lignin has already been removed from the source material. If the lignin is retained in the pulp, the paper will yellow when exposed to air and light.

More on [ Paper ]

NPR Topics: Visual Arts

Ombre Is The New Tie-Dye
Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Once a cheap way to make colorful clothes, high-end designers have brought back tie-dye and even given it a new name.
'Great Outdoor Fight' Flows From Web To Page
Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:39:00 -0400
Chris Onstad's web-comic Achewood may be modeled on stuffed animals, but it's anything but cuddly. The new print compilation of the strip highlights The Great Outdoor Fight — featuring three days, three acres and 3,000 men.
Sandbag House Wins Humanitarian Award
Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:08:00 -0400
This week, the Curry Stone Design Prize was awarded to a South African architecture firm that figured out how to make a cheap house with a timber frame and a whole lot of sandbags. The houses are energy efficient and easily assembled, and could replace more hazardous structures in the shantytowns around Cape Town.
Howard Bingham: Photographing Ali And America
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:20:00 -0400
Howard Bingham describes himself as the "Forrest Gump of photojournalism" — frequently "popping up" at just the right time to document some of the greatest moments in U.S. history. He is best known for his portraits of boxing great Muhammad Ali.
Artist Taps Into Anger At Corporate CEOs
Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0400
A Brooklyn artist is giving Wall Streeters the opportunity to vent their irritation with corporate America. Geoffrey Raymond takes his over-sized paintings of CEOs to Wall Street, then asks passers-by to write comments on his artwork.
In San Francisco, Making Art At The Dump
Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:30:00 -0400
San Francisco recycles or diverts 69 percent of its trash, but sends 1,800 tons of garbage to the landfill each day. One way the city makes a dent in its landfill load is through an unusual program — sponsoring artists who turn garbage into art.

Subscribe to Visual_Arts RSS feed