Types of paper

The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.

sorts of paper
varieties of paper
kinds of paper
type of paper
categories of paper

knowledge

sector-specific

Types of paper is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Paper cutter operator: Paper cutter operators tend a machine that cuts paper to the desired size and shape. Paper cutters may also cut and perforate other materials that come in sheets, such as metal foil.
Pulp grader: Pulp graders grade paper pulp based on a number of possible criteria, such as pulping process, raw materials, bleaching methods, yield, and fibre length.
Paper machine operator: Paper machine operators tend a machine that takes in pulp slurry, spread it out over a screen, and drains out the water. The drained slurry is then pressed and dried to produce paper.
Paper embosing press operator: Paper embossing press operators use a press to raise or recess certain areas of the medium, so as to create relief on the print. Two matching engraved dies are placed around the paper and pressure is applied to change the surface of the material.
Digital printer: Digital printers work with machines that print directly to the medium, without an intervening plate. Digital printers usually use laser or inkjet technology to print individual pages without lengthy or labour intensive technical steps intervening between the finished digital product and the print.
Paper mill supervisor: Paper mill supervisors coordinate and monitor the operations at a paper mill during production of products such as corrugated board, cardboard boxes or padded envelopes. They ensure that production targets, such as quantity and quality of products, timeliness and cost-effectiveness can be achieved. They have a clear overview of ongoing processes, and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Paper stationery machine operator: Paper stationery machine operators work with machines that perform one or more operations on paper to make it suitable for specific markets, such as punching holes, perforating, creasing, and collating with a carbon coated sheet.
Froth flotation deinking operator: Froth flotation deinking operators tend a tank that takes in recycled paper and mixes it with water. The solution is brought to a temperature around 50°C Celsius, after which air bubbles are blown into the tank. The air bubbles lift ink particles to the surface of the suspension and form a froth that is then removed.
Book-sewing machine operator: Book-sewing machine operators tend a machine that stitches paper together to form a volume. They check that signatures are inserted the right way and the machine does not jam.
Wash deinking operator: Wash deinking operators operate a tank where recycled paper is mixed with water and dispersants to wash out printing inks. The solution, called a pulp slurry, is then dewatered to flush out the dissolved inks.
Laminating machine operator: Laminating machine operators tend a machine that applies a plastic layer to paper to strenghten it and protect it from wetness and stains.
Artisan papermaker: Artisan papermakers create paper slurry, strain it on screens, and dry it manually or using small scale equipment.
Print folding operator: Print folding operators tend a machine that folds paper and bundles of paper.
Digester operator: Digester operators, or cooks, cook wood chips with soda ash or acid to separate the wood pulp from unwanted constituents. They test the resulting solution.
Paper engineer: Paper engineers ensure an optimal production process in the manufacture of paper and related products. They select primary and secondary raw materials and check their quality. In addition, they optimize machinery and equipment usage as well as the chemical additives for paper making.
Prepress operator: Prepress operators create a prepress proof, or sample of what the finished product will look like. In many printing contracts, the client at this stage decides whether the print can go through as planned. Since the printing processes for proofs are different from those used in the final process, proofs are always an approximation.
Offset printer: Offset printers handle an offset press in order to print an image. The offset press transfers an inked image from the plate to a rubber blanket before to print it onto the printing surface.
Corrugator operator: Corrugator operators tend a machine which folds a sheet of heavy paper in a wave-like pattern and covers it on both sides to create a lightweight, sturdy material suitable for packaging.
Paperboard products assembler: Paperboard products assemblers construct the components or parts made from paperboard according to strictly laid down procedures. They assemble products such as tubes, spools, cardboard boxes, paper plates and craft boards.

Types of paper is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Flexographic press operator: Flexographic press operators use flexographic relief plate to print on almost any material. The relief plate is inked and pressed onto the material to be printed.
Tissue paper perforating and rewinding operator: Tissue paper perforating and rewinding operators tend a machine that takes in tissue paper, perforates it, and rolls it up to create various types of sanitary paper.
Bleacher operator: Bleacher operators tend a machine that bleaches wood pulp to serve in the production of white paper. Different bleaching techniques are used to complement the various pulping methods, and to obtain different grades of whiteness.
Bindery operator: Bindery operators tend machines that bind printed or unprinted paper into volumes using staples, twine, glue or other binding technologies.
Print studio supervisor: Print production supervisors organise the activity of one or more teams of machine operators in printing, binding of books and finishing of printed materials. They aim to optimise production processes.
Manufacturing manager: Manufacturing managers plan, oversee and direct the manufacturing process in an organisation. They ensure products and services are efficiently produced within the timeframe and budget given.
Envelope maker: Envelope makers tend a machine that takes in paper and executes the steps to creat envelopes: cut and fold the paper and glue it, then apply a weaker food-grade glue to the flap of the envelope for the consumer to seal it.
Paper bag machine operator: Paper bag machine operators tend a machine that takes in paper, folds it and glues it to produce paper bags of various sizes, shapes, and grades of strength.
Gravure press operator: Gravure press operators work with gravure presses, where the image is engraved directly on a roll. They set up the press and monitor it during the operation, taking care of safety and resolving problems.
Slitter operator: Slitter operators set up, operate, or tend machines, in order to cut, slit, bend, or straighten sheets of metal, paper, or other materials to specific widths. Slitter operators must also ensure quality, by examining various end-products and observing pre-defined tolerances.
Screen printer: Screen printers tend a press that presses ink through a screen. Industrial screen printing is often used to print on materials that are hard to use with other processes, like rigid plastic surfaces.
Hot foil operator: Hot foil operators tend machines which apply a metallic foil on other materials using pressure cylinders and heating. They also mix colors, set up the appropriate machinery equipment and monitor printing.
Pulp technician: Pulp technicians perform technical tasks in the production of pulp. They work in pulp production teams where they maintain machines, resolve technical malfunctions and ensure the production process runs according to specifications.
Scanning operator: Scanning operators tend scanners. They feed print materials into the machine and set controls on the machine or on a controlling computer to obtain the highest resolution scan.

References

1. Types of paper – ESCO