| The first writers wrote on clay tablets. Around 500 BC, | | | | sheen of metal on both sides of each sheet. With a |
| they starting using papyrus (a plant) or parchment | | | | pearlescent metal finish, it's ideal for invitations, business |
| made from animal skins. In the second century AD, a | | | | cards, flyers, programs, announcement, and scrap |
| Chinese official named T'sai Lun was the first to start | | | | booking. |
| a paper making industry. He made his paper from | | | | * With colors like Razzle Berry, Lunar Blue, and Lift-off |
| chopped mulberry bark, linen, and hemp. People started | | | | Lemon, you know these are vibrant, pop colors. Heavy |
| making paper as we know it in the thirteenth century. | | | | uncoated stock is just right for business cards, |
| Most of the paper we use today is manufactured | | | | announcements, invitations, awards, and scrap booking. |
| from wood products. | | | | Don't forget the envelopes! Most papers come with |
| Specialty paper | | | | matching envelopes. Or, you can mix and match and |
| We all know there are many types of paper | | | | create colorful combinations. Envelopes do come in |
| nowadays. But until I looked it up I didn't know what | | | | different sizes, from five and one-half to six inch |
| specialty paper is. Specialty paper, I now know, is | | | | squares to regular #10 rectangles. |
| paper that is not commonly used in printing and | | | | Inkpads |
| publishing shops. It is, in other words, special. | | | | What's paper without ink! Inkpads come in dozens of |
| Specialty paper includes metallic paper, cardstock, | | | | colors, from cherry red to soft celery. Reversible |
| letterhead, and overstock, to name just a few. It | | | | inkpads can be filled with any color dye based ink, a |
| comes in different colors, sizes, textures, and weights. | | | | different color on each side. Metallic markers in silver, |
| With so many choices, there's a specialty paper for | | | | blue, purple, pink, green, and gold complement the ink. |
| every project. | | | | Stamps |
| Types of specialty paper | | | | If you are into scrap booking, you're probably looking |
| If you like paper as much as I do, you'll appreciate the | | | | for letters to go with your ink and paper. Font sets |
| names and descriptions of specialty paper available | | | | come complete with letter, symbols, flourishes, and |
| from online merchants. Here are just a few: | | | | numbers in three different sizes. Use them with |
| * Astroparch is an elegant-looking stock with the look | | | | self-inking monogram stampers or wood stampers |
| and feel of antique parchment. The subtle color palette | | | | and store them in a stackable storage system. |
| adds a touch of class to letterhead, announcements, | | | | Customizable stamps come with various phrases such |
| menus, certificates, and awards. | | | | as "From the Library of" and "From the Desk of" |
| * Stardream Chiara has a pearlescent metallic finish on | | | | circling your initials. A great personal gift for a |
| both sides. Recycles and acid free, this laser safe | | | | committed stamper. You can also buy stamp |
| paper is perfect for announcements, business cards, | | | | ensembles for important occasions like Christmas and |
| stationery, flyers, and scrap booking. | | | | new babies. A special occasions kit with various |
| * Astrobrights come in deep, rich, solid colors on | | | | borders, centers, and fonts lets you customize stamps |
| uncoated paper. Use is for letterhead, envelopes, | | | | for any event. |
| flyers, announcements, or certificates. | | | | There's no shortage of specialty paper available from |
| * Metallics have the sparkling surface and luminescent | | | | quality online merchants. |