Volume 8, Number 4
Dec 1995

Some Permanent Papers for Dissertations

The papers listed below are taken from the booklet North American Permanent Papers, 1995 edition. They are only a selection, because so many papers now meet the requirements of ANSI Z39.48-1992, Permanence of Paper for Publications and Documents in Libraries and Archives.

"Private brands" are not listed. These are papers sold under the name given them by the packager or retailer, not the manufacturer. They are omitted because it is almost impossible get reliable test data on them.

Dissertation offices in universities are more often requiring that the original be on permanent paper, and they like for the candidate to use a watermarked permanent paper, so that they can look at the dissertation and tell whether their instructions have been followed. Some of the papers in this list are watermarked, but since this was not in the NAPP survey questionnaire, the booklet does not identify them. A list of watermarked (but not necessarily permanent) papers is in the Competitive Grade Finder. They can be cross-checked with this list to find permanent papers that are watermarked.

(Since this list appeared in the December Abbey Newsletter, it has been learned that Hammermill Bond/Writing paper, which is watermarked, meets the requirements of the ANSI/ NISO standard. The pH ranges from 8.6 to 8.9; tear resistance specs are met; alkaline reserve is over 10%; and all samples tested had a kappa number less than 1, well below the limit of 7. This paper is made at both the Erie and Lock Haven mills. Test data for 20 and 24 lb. samples from both mills was forwarded to the Abbey Publications office. -Ed.)

At any rate, here are the papers, under the categories to which the mill assigned them. The categories overlap, because some types are based on composition, others on use or primary market. Many different types of paper can be used for photocopying, e.g. offset, bond, rag paper, xerographic, laser print and reprographic; but, especially for high-speed work, some types and some individual papers give better results. Laser printers do a better job with papers made for the purpose.