Sizing: Difference between revisions
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The method of preparing pages for ink that was first used by Muslim Artisans. The term refers to the process as well as the substance applied to the papers. | The method of preparing pages for ink that was first used by Muslim Artisans. The term refers to the process (sizing) as well as the substance applied to the papers (size). | ||
== The history of sizing == | == The history of sizing == | ||
In the mid-8th century, papermaking became popularized in the Arab world.<ref name=":0">Garlick, Karen. “A Brief Review of the History of Sizing and Resizing Practices.” ''The Book and Paper Group Annual'', vol. 5, 1986, [https://cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v05/bp05-11.html cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v05/bp05-11.html].</ref> They invented the process of sizing to make pages smoother and easier to write on. They soaked the papers in | In the mid-8th century, papermaking became popularized in the Arab world.<ref name=":0">Garlick, Karen. “A Brief Review of the History of Sizing and Resizing Practices.” ''The Book and Paper Group Annual'', vol. 5, 1986, [https://cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v05/bp05-11.html cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v05/bp05-11.html].</ref> They invented the process of sizing to make pages smoother and easier to write on. They soaked the papers in vegetable starch or gum, or applied these substances as a paste or powder.<ref name=":1" /> The papers were then glazed to better resemble more traditional parchment. In order to do this, wheat starch, wheat flour, and/or chalk would be mixed with cold water. This would then be poured into boiling water until it thickened. Afterwards, the substance would be applied to the sized papers "to fill in holes and even out surface irregularities."<ref name=":0" /> Once the paper dried, it was ready to be written on. The sized paper turned out much whiter than traditional parchment, and it was less expensive to produce. <ref name=":1"> Robinson, Solvieg C. (2014). ''The Book in Society.'' Broadview Press: 61 </ref> | ||
The Arabic method of sizing was introduced throughout the Byzantine Empire and Europe. The first paper mill, established in Fabriano, Italy by Pietro Miliani, invented the method of gelatin sizing for papers. The gelatin sized papers had a much more rigid surface.<ref name=":0" /> | The Arabic method of sizing was introduced throughout the Byzantine Empire and Europe. The first paper mill, established in the 13th century in Fabriano, Italy by Pietro Miliani, invented the method of gelatin sizing for papers. The gelatin sized papers had a much more rigid surface.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
Gelatin size was used for awhile. However, papers with this substance deteriorated relatively quickly, so in the 16th century papermakers began to add | Gelatin size was used for awhile. However, papers with this substance deteriorated relatively quickly, so in the 16th century papermakers began to add aluminumsulfate (alum) "to the size to control the growth of mold and bacteria."<ref name=":0" /> Gelatin and alum size was the standard until the 19th century, when a man named Moritz Illig used rosin to size papers. This was not popular at first, however, it became widespread in the 1840s because it was cheaper and did not use animal products.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== Sizing in the 21st century == | == Sizing in the 21st century == | ||
Sizing is a method that is still used for paper today, and is especially important for different kinds of art paper. | Sizing is a method that is still used for paper today, and is especially important for different kinds of art paper. Most papers today are sized with alkyl ketene dimer, which is a hydrophobic, organic compound that is free of animal products. However, there are several substances that are still used for sizing, including vegetable gum, gelatin, and calcium carbonate.<ref>Walker, Mark. “Paper Sizing - What Is It All About?” ''Art Supplies Castlemaine'', 11 June 2024, [https://artsuppliescastlemaine.com.au/blog/paper-sizing-what-is-it-all-about/ artsuppliescastlemaine.com.au/blog/paper-sizing-what-is-it-all-about/].</ref> | ||
== | == Degrees of sizing == | ||
There are three degrees of sizing, which refer to how absorbent or hydrophobic the resulting papers are. These include unsized, soft sized, and hard sized.<ref name=":2">Takahashi, Lisa. “How Sizing Determines the Absorbency of Artist Paper.” '' Jackson’s Art'', 24 Feb. 2021, [https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2021/02/24/how-sizing-determines-the-absorbency-of-art-paper/ www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2021/02/24/how-sizing-determines-the-absorbency-of-art-paper/].</ref> | |||
=== Unsized === | |||
Unsized papers are also referred to as "waterleaf" paper. An example of unsized paper would be blotting paper.<ref name=":2" /> Most novel pages are unsized so they can absorb ink when printing.<ref>“A Practical Guide to Uncoated Paper Options for Offset Printing.” ''QinPrinting'', [https://www.qinprinting.com/uncoated-paper/ www.qinprinting.com/uncoated-paper/].</ref> | |||
=== Soft sized === | |||
Soft sized papers, also called "slack sized," are more absorbent than hard sized papers, but not quite as weak as unsized ones. Some examples of soft sized papers include newspapers, some standard printer papers, and some kinds of watercolor papers.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
=== Hard sized === | |||
Hard sized papers are very rigid and include the majority of most fine art papers, including mixed media and acrylic papers.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 14:35, 18 November 2025
The method of preparing pages for ink that was first used by Muslim Artisans. The term refers to the process (sizing) as well as the substance applied to the papers (size).
The history of sizing
In the mid-8th century, papermaking became popularized in the Arab world.[1] They invented the process of sizing to make pages smoother and easier to write on. They soaked the papers in vegetable starch or gum, or applied these substances as a paste or powder.[2] The papers were then glazed to better resemble more traditional parchment. In order to do this, wheat starch, wheat flour, and/or chalk would be mixed with cold water. This would then be poured into boiling water until it thickened. Afterwards, the substance would be applied to the sized papers "to fill in holes and even out surface irregularities."[1] Once the paper dried, it was ready to be written on. The sized paper turned out much whiter than traditional parchment, and it was less expensive to produce. [2]
The Arabic method of sizing was introduced throughout the Byzantine Empire and Europe. The first paper mill, established in the 13th century in Fabriano, Italy by Pietro Miliani, invented the method of gelatin sizing for papers. The gelatin sized papers had a much more rigid surface.[1]
Gelatin size was used for awhile. However, papers with this substance deteriorated relatively quickly, so in the 16th century papermakers began to add aluminumsulfate (alum) "to the size to control the growth of mold and bacteria."[1] Gelatin and alum size was the standard until the 19th century, when a man named Moritz Illig used rosin to size papers. This was not popular at first, however, it became widespread in the 1840s because it was cheaper and did not use animal products.[1]
Sizing in the 21st century
Sizing is a method that is still used for paper today, and is especially important for different kinds of art paper. Most papers today are sized with alkyl ketene dimer, which is a hydrophobic, organic compound that is free of animal products. However, there are several substances that are still used for sizing, including vegetable gum, gelatin, and calcium carbonate.[3]
Degrees of sizing
There are three degrees of sizing, which refer to how absorbent or hydrophobic the resulting papers are. These include unsized, soft sized, and hard sized.[4]
Unsized
Unsized papers are also referred to as "waterleaf" paper. An example of unsized paper would be blotting paper.[4] Most novel pages are unsized so they can absorb ink when printing.[5]
Soft sized
Soft sized papers, also called "slack sized," are more absorbent than hard sized papers, but not quite as weak as unsized ones. Some examples of soft sized papers include newspapers, some standard printer papers, and some kinds of watercolor papers.[4]
Hard sized
Hard sized papers are very rigid and include the majority of most fine art papers, including mixed media and acrylic papers.[4]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Garlick, Karen. “A Brief Review of the History of Sizing and Resizing Practices.” The Book and Paper Group Annual, vol. 5, 1986, cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v05/bp05-11.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Robinson, Solvieg C. (2014). The Book in Society. Broadview Press: 61
- ↑ Walker, Mark. “Paper Sizing - What Is It All About?” Art Supplies Castlemaine, 11 June 2024, artsuppliescastlemaine.com.au/blog/paper-sizing-what-is-it-all-about/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Takahashi, Lisa. “How Sizing Determines the Absorbency of Artist Paper.” Jackson’s Art, 24 Feb. 2021, www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2021/02/24/how-sizing-determines-the-absorbency-of-art-paper/.
- ↑ “A Practical Guide to Uncoated Paper Options for Offset Printing.” QinPrinting, www.qinprinting.com/uncoated-paper/.
