Just as each dish has its own recipe, so do fine arts papers – their own culinary secrets. Without divulging the secrets of CLAIREFONTAINE here are some of the technical and general details to enable comprehension and appreciation of our art papers. These treatments are applied either to the raw materials (at the early stages to the pulp) or on the surface.

Coating

Glossy paper is coated but not used for art.

Sizing

So that the paper does not absorb the colour and water it is made waterproof; sodium resin, starch, fecula, gelatine, alum: this is called sizing.

Opacity

Mineral additives (kaolin, talc, barium oxide, calcium carbonate) influence the papers inertia and reduce its reaction to varying humidity levels. These additives are not added to transparent papers (tracing paper).

Weight

Is the weight in grams.

Thickness

It is not necessarily linked to its weight. A paper can be more or less bulky. Loosely felted, a bulkier paper is more absorbent.

Stability

For a wet technique paper, the paper must deform uniformly without swelling or warping in an uncontrollable way.

Whiteness

Optical brighteners are added, to the detriment of its lightfastness (turning yellow)