Paper is one of the most important materials ever invented by mankind. It is produced by pressing wood fibers obtained from pulp into thin sheets that can be written on, printed, folded, or converted into countless products. Historians generally credit ancient China with the invention of paper, a breakthrough that transformed the way knowledge was recorded and shared. Before paper became widely available, people documented information on materials such as cloth, stone, bamboo slips, animal bones, and palm leaves, each of which had significant limitations in terms of cost, weight, or durability.
In Indonesia, written records were traditionally preserved on lontar palm leaves long before modern paper became common. Today, paper is far more than a writing surface. It is used for books, magazines, newspapers, office documents, packaging, food containers, tissue products, labels, and even artistic creations such as origami. As printing technology and manufacturing processes have evolved, numerous paper varieties have been developed, each designed with specific characteristics to meet different industrial and commercial needs.
Below are some of the most widely used paper types and their common applications.
HVS Paper
HVS is derived from the Dutch term "houtvrij schrijfpapier," which means wood-free writing paper. Despite its name, the paper is still produced from wood pulp, but through a chemical process that removes most of the lignin, resulting in a cleaner, smoother, and brighter writing surface. HVS paper is available in common weights such as 60 gsm (grams per square meter), 70 gsm, 80 gsm, and 100 gsm. It is the standard paper used in offices, schools, and homes for printing reports, assignments, letters, books, and everyday documents. Popular sheet sizes include A5, B5, A4, A3, Folio (F4), Quarto (Q4), and large-format sheets used by commercial printing companies.
Tracing Paper
Tracing paper is a semi-transparent paper designed for copying drawings, technical illustrations, architectural plans, and artwork. Its translucent appearance allows users to place it over an original image and accurately trace the lines beneath. Compared with ordinary HVS paper, tracing paper is slightly stiffer, smoother, and less opaque, giving it a glass-like appearance that many people describe as similar to wax paper. Besides manual drawing, tracing paper is also commonly used in screen printing, engineering, graphic design, and various creative industries where precision is essential.
Art Paper
Art Paper is a coated printing paper with a smooth, glossy surface that produces vibrant colors and sharp image quality. Because of its excellent print performance, it is widely used for posters, magazines, brochures, flyers, catalogs, promotional materials, and high-quality commercial printing. The coated surface can also receive additional finishing treatments such as glossy lamination, matte lamination, or ultraviolet (UV) coating to improve durability and create a more premium appearance. Standard weights include 85 gsm, 100 gsm, 120 gsm, and 150 gsm, making Art Paper one of the most popular choices for full-color offset printing.
Duplex Paper
Duplex paper, often referred to as coated duplex board, is easily recognized by its two-tone appearance. The front side is bright white with a coated surface suitable for high-quality printing, while the back side is gray because it is manufactured from recycled paper fibers. Since only the white side is intended for printing, duplex paper offers an economical solution for packaging that requires an attractive exterior but does not need premium printing on the inside. It is widely used for product boxes, pharmaceutical packaging, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and other retail packaging. Common grammages include 250 gsm, 270 gsm, 310 gsm, 350 gsm, and 400 gsm.
Book Paper
Book Paper is a lightweight, uncoated paper specifically designed for books that contain mostly text. It has a smooth yet slightly rough texture and features a natural cream or off-white color that helps reduce glare under bright lighting. Because of its warm tone, Book Paper is easier on the eyes during extended reading sessions compared to bright white paper. It is commonly available in 55 gsm, 70 gsm, and 90 gsm weights and is widely used for novels, educational textbooks, dictionaries, manuals, and other publications where reading comfort is more important than vivid image reproduction.
Art Card
Art Card, also known as Art Carton in some countries, is a premium coated paperboard with a smooth, glossy surface and excellent rigidity. Compared with Art Paper, it is significantly thicker, making it suitable for products that require greater strength while maintaining high-quality print results. Standard weights range from 190 gsm to 310 gsm, including popular options such as 210 gsm, 230 gsm, and 260 gsm. Art Card is commonly used for business cards, book covers, magazine covers, greeting cards, certificates, product packaging, presentation folders, postcards, and luxury promotional materials. The 260 gsm thickness is particularly popular for business cards because it provides a sturdy, professional feel.
Ivory Paper
Ivory Paper is a premium paperboard that shares many similarities with Art Card but has a distinctive finish. Both sides are white, although the color is slightly softer than the bright white appearance of Art Card. The key difference is that Ivory Paper has one coated, glossy side and one uncoated, matte side, providing greater flexibility for different packaging and printing applications. Its durability and elegant appearance make it a popular choice for cosmetic boxes, pharmaceutical packaging, food packaging, book covers, and premium retail products. Common grammages include 210 gsm, 230 gsm, 250 gsm, 270 gsm, 300 gsm, and 350 gsm.
Matt Paper
Matt Paper is a coated printing paper with a smooth, non-reflective surface on both sides. Unlike glossy papers that produce a shiny finish, Matt Paper offers a soft, elegant appearance that reduces glare while maintaining excellent print quality. It is widely used for brochures, catalogs, magazines, posters, flyers, menus, and premium marketing materials where readability and a sophisticated look are equally important. Matt Paper can also be enhanced with matte or glossy lamination for added durability and visual appeal. Standard weights include 85 gsm, 100 gsm, 120 gsm, and 150 gsm.
CWB (Coated White Board)
Coated White Board (CWB) is a premium paperboard that resembles duplex board but features a white interior instead of a gray recycled core. This cleaner appearance makes it particularly suitable for packaging where both the exterior and interior may be visible. CWB is commonly used for food packaging, pharmaceutical boxes, cosmetic packaging, bakery boxes, and other retail products that require an attractive presentation while maintaining structural strength. The most common weights are 230 gsm, 250 gsm, and 300 gsm.
BW Board
BW Board is a thick white paperboard with a smooth writing surface that combines durability with excellent printability. It is commonly produced in a weight of around 240 gsm, providing enough stiffness for products that require a firm structure while still allowing users to write on the surface with a pen or marker. BW Board is frequently used for certificates, document folders, membership cards, invitation cards, file covers, and educational materials where both presentation and functionality are important.
Kraft Paper
Kraft Paper is a durable brown paper made primarily from recycled fibers or virgin kraft pulp, depending on the manufacturing process. Its natural appearance, high tear resistance, and environmentally friendly image have made it one of the world's most popular packaging materials. Kraft Paper is widely used for wrapping paper, shopping bags, paper bags, hang tags, shipping envelopes, and eco-friendly product packaging. Because of its brown surface, designs are often printed using one or two colors to preserve its rustic and minimalist appearance. Common weights include 150 gsm for paper applications and 220 gsm for heavier paperboard products.
Newsprint Paper
Newsprint is a lightweight, uncoated paper manufactured primarily from mechanical wood pulp, making it both economical and suitable for high-volume printing. It has a rough texture, low brightness, and a relatively short lifespan compared with higher-grade printing papers, but its affordability makes it ideal for newspapers, advertising inserts, tabloids, children's activity books, and examination papers. Standard newsprint is typically produced at approximately 48.8 gsm and is available in various sheet sizes to accommodate commercial newspaper presses around the world.
Corrugated Paper
Corrugated paperboard, commonly known as corrugated cardboard, is one of the most widely used packaging materials in the world. It consists of a fluted or wavy layer sandwiched between flat linerboards, creating a lightweight structure with excellent strength and cushioning properties. This unique construction enables corrugated boxes to protect products from impact during storage and transportation while remaining cost-effective and recyclable. It is commonly used for shipping cartons, e-commerce packaging, moving boxes, food delivery cartons, and industrial packaging. Different flute profiles, such as B-Flute and E-Flute, are selected based on the required balance between strength, thickness, and print quality.
Jasmine Paper
Jasmine Paper is a decorative paper recognized for its smooth, glossy surface and subtle metallic particles that create an elegant shimmering effect. Available in a wide range of colors and grammages, it is considered a premium specialty paper for luxury printing applications. Its distinctive appearance makes it a popular choice for wedding invitations, greeting cards, certificates, premium stationery, and exclusive promotional materials where visual presentation plays an important role.
Japanese Linen Paper
Japanese Linen Paper, sometimes marketed as Linen Paper or Concord Linen, features a textured surface that resembles woven fabric. The embossed finish adds depth and sophistication while giving printed materials a premium tactile feel. It is commonly used for certificates, letterheads, business stationery, presentation folders, menus, and luxury invitations. Available in various colors, Japanese Linen Paper is valued for its elegant appearance and professional finish.
NCR Paper
NCR Paper, short for Non Carbon Required Paper, is a self-copying paper that transfers handwritten or printed information to additional sheets without using traditional carbon paper. The paper contains microscopic capsules of color-forming chemicals that react under pressure, instantly creating duplicate or multiple copies. NCR Paper is widely used for invoices, receipts, delivery orders, purchase orders, tax invoices, official receipts, application forms, and other multi-part business documents where identical copies are required. Even in the digital age, it remains an efficient solution for businesses that rely on handwritten documentation.
Fancy Paper
Fancy Paper is a category of specialty paper available in a wide variety of colors, textures, finishes, and patterns. Unlike standard printing paper, Fancy Paper is designed to create a distinctive visual and tactile experience, making it ideal for premium printed products. Popular varieties include embossed, pearlescent, metallic, linen, and textured finishes, each offering a unique appearance. Fancy Paper is commonly used for wedding invitations, greeting cards, luxury packaging, certificates, brochures, menus, corporate stationery, and other high-end printing projects where presentation is just as important as the printed content. It is available in various weights, typically ranging from 80 gsm to over 300 gsm.
Concord Paper
Concord Paper is a textured paper recognized by its subtle embossed line pattern that gives printed materials a refined and professional appearance. Although slightly rough to the touch, it still delivers excellent print quality for both text and simple graphics. Because of its elegant texture, Concord Paper is frequently selected for certificates, business proposals, official documents, presentation folders, premium letterheads, and formal invitations. It is manufactured in several soft color options, allowing designers to match the paper with different branding or event themes.
Yellow Board
Yellow Board is a thick paperboard primarily used as a rigid core material rather than a printable surface. It provides structural support for products that require extra durability, such as hardcover book covers, luxury packaging, rigid gift boxes, calendars, binders, and premium presentation folders. Since Yellow Board is not intended for direct offset printing, it is typically laminated with printed paper such as Art Paper, Duplex Board, or other decorative materials. It is commonly available in different thicknesses, including YB 30 and YB 40, depending on the required level of rigidity.
Doorslag Paper
Doorslag Paper is an ultra-thin translucent paper traditionally used to create duplicate handwritten documents together with carbon paper. It is inserted beneath standard writing paper so that pressure from handwriting transfers the text onto additional copies. Before the widespread adoption of digital printers and electronic record-keeping, Doorslag Paper was commonly used for invoices, receipts, order forms, accounting documents, and business records. Although its use has declined significantly in modern offices, it is still found in certain manual documentation systems where multiple handwritten copies are required.
Buffalo Paper
Buffalo Paper is a heavyweight textured paper distinguished by its subtle woodgrain pattern and durable construction. It is widely used for book covers, report covers, presentation folders, file jackets, membership cards, and various office stationery. Available in multiple colors, Buffalo Paper offers both strength and an attractive finish, making it suitable for projects that require greater durability than ordinary paper while maintaining a professional appearance.
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Manila Paper (Brief Card)
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Brief Card (BC), commonly referred to as Manila Paper in Indonesia, is a sturdy colored cardstock available in a variety of shades, including white, yellow, blue, green, and red. It is thicker than standard writing paper but lighter than most paperboards, making it versatile for educational, commercial, and administrative purposes. Brief Card is frequently used for invitations, index cards, inventory cards, attendance cards, filing systems, hospital record cards, school documents, and craft projects. Common weights include 160 gsm, 220 gsm, and 250 gsm.
Chrome Sticker Paper
Chrome Sticker Paper features a smooth, glossy coating on the printable surface with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back protected by a release liner. The glossy finish produces vibrant colors and sharp image quality, making it an excellent choice for product labels, promotional stickers, packaging labels, barcode stickers, branding materials, and decorative decals intended for indoor use. It is compatible with offset, digital, and various commercial printing methods depending on the product specifications.
Vinyl Sticker
Vinyl Sticker is manufactured from a thin, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film instead of paper, making it significantly more durable than traditional paper stickers. It offers excellent resistance to water, sunlight, humidity, and outdoor weather conditions, while also providing strong tear resistance. Because of these properties, vinyl stickers are commonly used for vehicle graphics, window decals, outdoor signage, wall graphics, floor graphics, product labels, branding materials, and long-term promotional displays. They are available in glossy, matte, transparent, and specialty finishes to suit different printing applications.
Asturo Paper
Asturo Paper is a heavyweight colored cardstock that features a white surface on one side and a vibrant color on the reverse side. It is widely used for bookbinding, presentation covers, school projects, educational materials, paper crafts, display boards, and various creative applications. Available in colors such as blue, green, yellow, and red, Asturo Paper is often chosen as a stronger alternative to origami paper for craft projects that require greater rigidity. In some regions, it is also marketed under the name Omega Paper and is commonly sold in standard sheet sizes of 40 × 60 centimeters.