Terminology and Characteristics of early paper used in Print Making

Terminology and characteristics of early paper used in printmaking.  The terms hand laid, or laid or chain or wove are often used to describe the type of paper used for an early print.  This is also a way to identify an early print from a reproduction.

Until the 19th century, the only source of fiber for paper was cotton and linen rags.  These rags were beaten with water into a pulp.  The paper maker placed a tray of crossed wires into the mixture and allowed a thin layer of fibers to settle on the top.  When turned out, pressed between blankets and dried, the result was a sheet having the quality of blotting paper.  ‘Laid paper’ shows the pattern of the vertical wire marks and the horizontal connecting ‘chain lines’ of the wires in the paper maker’s tray.  

‘Wove’ paper is made from a tray with a wire mesh which is so tightly woven that it often leaves no marks visible.  It was developed around 1755 to produce a smoother surface than that offered  by laid paper, but it was not widely used until about 1790.

At the beginning of the 19th century, wood began to replace rags as the source of fiber for paper and this often resulted in paper which was brittle or discolored quickly.

When purchasing an early print on early paper, recognize that the paper is also a very important part of the print, not just the colors or engraving.  Hold the print up to a light and examine the back and you will be able to see the lines and often a watermark.  The early paper making processes which we have briefly discusses, represents a lost art and contributes greatly to the value of the print.  We have offered and will continue to offer many prints on hand laid, wove, or chain link paper.