Grain
.This information is reprinted
from the For Beginners column of Hand Papermaking Newsletter #27 (July,
1994).
To learn more about Hand Papermaking's bi-annual magazine and quarterly
newsletter, click here.
Grain
Grain is the term used to describe the inclination in a sheet of paper
to curl, fold, or tear in one particular direction. Knowing the
grain
of a sheet of paper is particularly important whenever the paper is to be
used as other than a flat surface: whether it be in books,
paper crafts, or three-dimensional work.
Grain originates in the way the paper is formed. Paper is made up of
many small fibers which are considerably longer than they are
wide. Because of movements used in forming a handmade sheet in the
traditional Western manner--dipping into and pulling out of a
vat--the fibers are naturally oriented in a direction parallel to this
motion. The "papermaker's shake" which is done right after
the
mould is lifted from the vat is intended to aid the distribution of pulp
evenly across the surface of the mould. It also, however, helps
compensate for the common alignment of fibers and provides strength to the
sheet. Nonetheless, there is still a marked grain in most
handmade sheets made in this manner.
Most Japanese-style nagashizuki papers would have as much or even a
greater grain direction, as the formation technique, which
may include several dips of the mould into the vat, is very markedly
unidirectional. Paper formed from pulp poured onto a mould, such
as paper made using the Nepalese technique, is much less likely to have a
distinct grain, because of the relatively random way in
which the pulp makes contact with the screen.
There are several ways to check for grain in a piece of paper. If you
bend the paper over, without creating a fold, it will be stiffer
perpendicular to the grain direction than with the grain. A full fold will
also be harder and less even if done against the grain than with
it. Tearing the paper should also be noticeably easier with the grain than
against it. Another way to test, is to spray the paper on one
side with water, and it will curl with the grain.
Grain is important to be aware of when working with paper because of
the relative strength of the forces which hold the fibers
together. In uncontrolled environments, especially with fluctutations in
humidity, fibers will absorb moisture and swell in accordance
wth the grain. Folds will be cleaner and bound papers will work better if
sewn or attached in a grain direction.
Copyright 1994 Hand Papermaking, Inc.
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