What is Wove Paper?
Did you know that global paper consumption has escalated by 400% over the last 40 years? However, the paper we use today has significantly evolved since its origin. Historically, the initial types of paper were handmade. One of these historical types of paper includes wove paper.
In this article, we’ll discuss what wove paper is and its history. We’ll also discuss how this paper type differs from another historical paper kind called laid.
What is White Wove Paper?
Wove paper is a handmade paper type known for its rich history. To make this paper type, papermakers would weave materials like thin brass wires together to form a mesh. Then, they’d cast the paper pulp onto the woven mesh.
Since it was handmade, you may wonder, “Is wove paper textured?” The answer to that is while there is some texture to this paper, it is mostly smooth.
Learn more about : Can You Print on Metallic Paper?
When Was Wove Paper Invented?
In paper history, it’s believed that wove paper was invented in 1757 by James Whatman, a famous English papermaker. However, according to a paper historian, Dard Hunter, Whatman wasn’t the first to make this type of paper.
Instead, it was being used in many parts of Asia for many centuries before Whatman made it. He was just the one who introduced the paper type to the Western world.
Wove type of paper especially became notable when it was first used by John Baskerville. He used the paper created by Whatman to print his special edition of Virgil.
What is Laid Paper?
To understand how wove and laid types of papers differ, let’s discuss what laid paper actually is. Laid paper was basically the only paper type people were using before Wove was created. To create this paper, papermakers would use a screen made of widely placed thick wires.
These wires would then be perpendicularly weaved through with finer and closely packed wires.
This created mold would then be dipped and brought out of a vat full of paper pulp. Then, the paper would be dried to make individual sheets.
During this process, the differently-sized wires would make impressions on the drying sheet. The lines caused by the thick wires were called chain lines, while the finer ones were called laid lines.
What is The Difference Between Laid and Wove Paper?
The main difference between wove and laid paper lies in their texture. Due to the impression of differently sized chains and laid lines on the paper, laid paper has a prominent texture.
Wove type of paper, however, is created using a finer mesh made of uniformly placed and tightly packed wires. That’s why even though there is some texture, the paper surface is smoother than that of laid paper.
Are Wove and Laid Paper Still Used Today?
Despite beginning such old paper types, both wove and laid paper are still made today. The only difference is that they are manufactured using machines. Most of the paper you find in your notebooks, diaries, and printers is high-quality wove type of paper. Its smooth surface makes it an optimal paper type to write and print on.
Despite it being ribbed, laid paper is also used today. You can find it being used for envelopes, printed and handmade invitations, official documents like degrees and transcripts, etc. In addition, it is also used in making things like bags and product packaging.
Conclusion
Wove paper may have started out as a smoother alternative to laid paper. However, the paper-making machines we have today have significantly elevated their quality. The same goes for laid paper. Stationary enthusiasts enjoy both types and have their particular uses.
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