Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books
A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

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basic size

The sheet size of paper, determined by trade custom, as that agreed upon for calculating the BASIS WEIGHT of the paper. Initially it was the size which could be printed, folded and trimmed with the greatest economy. Some of the specifications for basic sizes in use in the United States are: 
Type of paper    Size (in inches)
 Bible               25 X 38
 Blanks              22 X 38
 Blotting            19 X 24
 Bond                17 X 22
 Book                25 X 38
 Cover               20 X 26
 Glassine            24 X 36
 Gummed              25 X 38
 Index           25 1/2 X 30 1/2
 Ledger              17 X 22
 Manifold            17 X 22
 Manuscript          18 X 31
 Mimeograph          17 X 22
 Newsprint           24 X 36
 Offset              25 X 38
 Onionskin           17 X 22
 Opaque              25 X 38
 Poster              24 X 36
 Tag             22 1/2 X 28 1/2
        or           24 X 36
 Text                25 X 38
 Tissues             24 X 36
 Vellum bristol  22 1/2 X 28 1/2
 Writing             17 X 22

All are based on a ream of 500 sheets. (17 , 316 , 324 )




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