Types of Technical Drawing Paper

In this article on types of technical drawing paper, we’ll examine the different paper types used for various purposes in technical drawings. The types of paper used in technical drawing are as follows:

Types of Paper Used in Technical Drawing

Plain White Drawing Paper

These are ordinary plain, white, or photocopy papers.

Since plain white paper doesn’t have a very long lifespan, various types of paper are used depending on the intended use and storage requirements of the drawing.

Tracing Paper

Comes in roll form. These are gray, oily, transparent papers that let light through. Used for drawings that need to be light-copied. There are types with smooth and rough surfaces. Smooth-surfaced ones are suitable for working with India ink, while rough-surfaced ones are suitable for working with hard graphite pencils.

Care should be taken with storage. It hardens and becomes brittle in hot environments. In humid environments, it becomes wavy. It wrinkles when it gets wet. For this reason, it should be kept away from excessive heat and moisture. It becomes brittle when folded. For archiving, it should either be laid flat like a sheet, or hung like a garment.

Sketch Paper

Sketch paper, also called yellow paper, is ordinary paper used for making sketches or scribble drawings. Preliminary work is done on sketch paper before drawing on tracing paper.

Sketch paper is available in every standard size.

Plan Copy (Blueprint/Diazo) Paper

Comes in roll form. Blueprint (diazo) paper is used to copy drawings made on transparent paper. Copies are made by passing the paper through light in mechanical or automatic copying machines.

Since blueprint paper is sensitive to light, moisture, and ammonia, it should be stored in a dry place away from light.

Oiled Paper

Made by soaking paper in plant-based oils and then drying it in air. Used as tracing paper. Like tracing paper, it’s suitable for working with India ink. It’s unaffected by moisture. It has a smooth surface.

Waxed Cloth Paper (Linen)

Also known as cloth-backed paper. Resistant to tearing and scraping. Suitable for working with India ink and pencil. Since they don’t degrade easily, they’re suitable for drawing images that shouldn’t wear out and for long-term storage. One side is matte, the other is glossy.

Made from plastic. Types include acetate, polyester, and rigid PVC film.

They don’t tear or wear out. They’re unaffected by humidity or dry air.

They’re used especially in situations where long-term storage is important (for example, military maps).

Graph (Millimeter) Paper

This is paper used for special drawings such as graphs and diagrams. There are types that let light through and types that don’t. The lines drawn on it are quite thin and light-colored, and lines drawn at 1 mm and various other intervals can be seen clearly.

We’ve reached the end of our topic on types of technical drawing paper. Our next article will be about paper sizes and technical drawing paper folding.