Sizing
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 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 veggie 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 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 "potassium aluminum sulphate (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.
