Paper Selection

Forms may be printed on paper of-different colors, grades, and weights.

Colored paper or colored printing on white paper is used to distinguish among copies and facilitate sorting copies. Common color preferences are listed in the table.

Paper weight is based on a ream of 500 sheets that are 17 by 22 inches; it ranges from 4 pounds to 220 pounds. Cutting the 500 sheets into quarters results in the standard size of a typewriter page-81/2 by 11 inches.

There are three major factors to consider in paper selection: appearance, longevity, and handling. The form designer needs to know (1) the number of times the form will be handled (daily, weekly, etc.), (2) the amount of folding it will receive, and (3) the extent of exposure to the environment.

Paper is generally classified as onionskin, bond, duplicator, ledger, index, and card stock. Its thickness is expressed in pound weight. Onionskin paper (9-pound weight) is used for inner copies of multiple-part sets. Bond paper is usually rag paper that has the best feel and quality, depending on the rag content (25, 50, or 100 percent). Duplicator paper (16-20-pound weight) is used for duplicating and xeroxing machines. Ledger paper (28-32­ pound 'weight) is used for checks, accounting records, and permanent ledger cards. Index paper (more than 72-pound weight) is strictly for printing cards. Card stock is the heaviest paper, although it has a lower grade than the other types mentioned. It comes in various weights, ranging from 90 to 140 pounds. The 90-pound weight is used for durable records. The 140-pound weight is strictly heavyweight card stock.