Tracing paper

A roll of yellow tracing paper.

Transparent of tracing paper

Samples of tracing paper

Tracing paper roll

Tracing paper box with holography label

Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (January 2007)

Tracing paper is a type of translucent paper. It is made by immersing uncut and unloaded paper of good quality in sulphuric acid for a few seconds. The acid converts some of the cellulose into amyloid form having a gelatinous and impermeable character. When the treated paper is thoroughly washed and dried, the resultant product is much stronger than the original paper. Tracing paper is resistant to oil grease and to a large extent impervious to water and gas.

Tracing paper is named as such for its ability for an artist to trace an image onto it. When tracing paper is placed onto a picture, the picture is easily viewable through the tracing paper. Thus, it becomes easy for the artist to find edges in the picture and trace the image onto the tracing paper. Pure Cellulose fiber is translucent, and it is the air trapped between fibers, that makes paper opaque and looks white. If the fibers are refined and beaten until all the air is taken out, then the resulting sheet will be translucent. Translucent papers are dense and contain up to 10% moisture at 50% humidity. This type of paper is roughly 25% lighter than regular paper.

The sizing in production will determine whether it is for laser printer or inkjet/offset printing.

Tracing paper may be uncoated or coated. Natural tracing paper for laser printing is usually uncoated.

The HS code for tracing paper is 4806.^[1]

Technical specifications

• Specification of natural tracing paper:
  • Smooth Surface
  • Uncoated
  • Non ageing
  • Acid free
  • Recyclable

The follows are common standards for tracing paper:

Application

• Traditional printing methods: letterpress, planographic / offset, silk-screen printing...
• Laser and inkjet printing
• Processing: varnishing, laminating, punching, embossing, folding, scoring
• Drawing: ink, Indian ink, graphite, pencils
• Photographic and Cinema Lighting: Diffusion filter for Light Sources to produce aesthetic effect.

Printing notices

• Offset printing:
  • Print multicolored files on a multicolored machine – this helps to avoid registration problems.
  • Packaging has to be removed immediately before printing.
  • Paper stacks should be fanned out.
  • Printing sheets should preferably be finished long grain.
  • Translucent paper is printable with all popular as well as very fine screen widths.
  • The use of frequency adjusted screen processes is also possible (FM-screening).
  • The fountain solution pH has to be controlled (pH- >5,5).
  • Only oxidative drying or UV-drying inks should be used.
  • Addition of drying material should be avoided.
  • Do not dry with hot air or infrared-heater, flatness problems may occur.
  • Use powder spraying sparingly.
  • Do not allow the stack after printing to be too high, thus allowing air to circulate to aid drying.
  • Transparent papers require longer drying times, this has to be considered.
  • Further processing can be done once the printing colors are completely dry.
• Inkjet printing:
  • Line and script printing shows good results.
  • Ink absorption is limited due to the high density of the transparent papers.
  • Longer drying times have to be considered.
  • Recommend a test-print.
• Laser printing:
  • Transparent paper offers a fine closed surface that provides a high image quality.
  • Due to high processing temperatures the paper may show some shrinkage or stretching effects.
  • Therefore it is essential to test the run ability of the paper with the precise printing conditions.
• Recommendation:
  • Transparent papers require a very high degree of mechanical treatment of the fiber.
  • Thus it is sensitive to temperature and moisture fluctuations.
  • The transparent paper should be stored in its original packing for 24 hours in the printing room.
  • Ideal climate conditions for the transparent paper are 18 - 23°C at 45 – 55 %RH air humidity.
  • Printed and unprinted transparent paper should be protected from moisture during storage.

Applications

• Envelopes
• Mailings
• Marketing inlays
• Flyer, coversheets, dividers, prestige printings, business cards, greeting cards, invitations, playcards and posters, origami

CAD

Sketching

See also

• Inkjet paper
• Colour tracing paper

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tracing paper

• Properties of different types of paper
• Tracing paper in Vietnam
• Usage guide of tracing paper
• Paper Talk

List of tracing paper mill

• Gateway tracing paper
• Schoellershammer glamma basic transparency paper
• Canson tracing paper

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