Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with Paper

Help me with the logistics of my paper craft.

sarahalisonmiller — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:54:23 -0800

Craft filter: I would like to begin selling a mixed media paper craft (a print embellished with embroidery thread). I'm happy with the crafty part...but now about the logistics: sourcing paper, paper size, ink quality, packaging. Sourcing paper: Where can I find archival quality paper (relatively heavy, but no more than 90 lb) at an affordable price? If I manage to start selling, I won't be able to afford to buy it at the local Michaels.

Paper size: Right now, I am working with my own personal printer. It can handle paper up to 8 1/2 by 10. The actual image I am producing is approx. 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 (but I can alter this slightly without distorting the print). Ideally, the print would not take up the entire area of paper, but would have margins at the 4 sides. If folks who buy my craft might like to frame it, what size paper should I use and with what size margins? Should the margins all be equal?

Ink: My printer is an Epson CX8400. It seems that most people selling prints advertise that they use "archival inks." What does this really mean, is it really important, will my printer take them, and can I buy them at an average office supplies store?

Packaging: I know where to find plastic sleeves and thick envelopes, but is there something else I should know about packaging and shipping?

Whew. That's a lot of questions. Answer as few or many as you're are willing and able.

Utilitarian folds for the masses!

ostranenie — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:53:31 -0800

I'm looking for examples of practical, everyday origami. I'm looking for low-fold-count, preferably easy origami forms that help people organize or move items more efficiently.

I use a few different box forms with dividers when I need a temporary place to put a lot of small items (putting together furniture, taking apart small electronics). I've used a cup form for seeds and sand (and liquid, although that wasn't really necessary). I've seen a page corner for marking places in a book. I see you can send letters without envelopes using so-called letterfolds.

Any other examples out there? Either specific examples in books (good) or links (much better)? Any variations on the above (simple containers, bookmarks, etc.,) are appreciated to the nth degree.

Papercraft is too popular a title word nowdays

razdrez — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:56:55 -0800

Can someone help me remember this book? It was a book about making all sorts of things from paper, mainly models, and I remember the start of the book talking about how to make forest fairies and flora (actually fungi). I borrowed this book constantly as a kid from my elementary school library (yes, "Make and Do" was my favorite childcraft volume too), but right now, that library is a quarter of the earth away.

I remember it being about letter-paper sized, and fairly thick, maybe about an inch thick. It was paperback, and the color of the cover was a tan or peach color?

Something that sticks in my head is they told you how to make glue pots out of paper...and I think they were supposed to be like tree stumps too, sticking with the forest fairy theme in the beginning of the book.

Last thing--this book is most likely over 25 years old.

Dunno if that's enough to find it...but that's all I got. Thanks in advance!

Creative Decor Ideas please.

sweetkid — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:56:12 -0800

How could I creatively hang this paper on my walls? I am interested in hanging decorative paper on my walls, rather than pictures or prints. I was thinking perhaps framing a few sheets or so of the paper in the link, or some other textured paper, and hanging it in my bedroom. But how exactly would I do this? Mat and frame it? Frame it? Put it on a canvas? TIA for the home decor help.

Fold flat paper Sunglasses

phrontist — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:29:00 -0800

Where could I buy paper glasses that could act as decent sunglasses? Polarizing glasses (for 3d movies) would be close, I just need them to be darker.

I'll write a tipsy letter to a real good friend of mine

numinous — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:39:13 -0800

Darling-Letter-Filter: Where can I purchase attractive, design-inspired paper goods online? I am planning on hand-writing some letters in order to re-connect with people in my life (and to update them on my current whereabouts/endeavors, etc.). Thus, I am looking specifically for sheets of paper + envelopes for letter-writing. I really enjoy the design sensibility of current independent designers, so I'd like something that reflects this.

I'm well-acquainted with designers on Etsy, but I'm not finding what I'm after. Most of my other leads are from places like Creature Comforts and Oh Joy! (taking a look at those, you'll get a good feel for what I'm looking for). However, as with Etsy, most of the suggested designers are primarily invested in creating folded note-cards, and not singular sheets for letter-writing.

Can you suggest somewhere online where I might be able to find such stationary? I want links! Lot of links!

If there is a designer or online storefront that doesn't offer such stationary, but you feel shouldn't be missed, please feel free to post those links, too! I might find use for those later on. :)

Help Me Research!

Funky Claude — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:54:24 -0800

I'm researching a very specific time period in American history for a paper and I need some help finding sources of information! I am writing a paper in which I will discuss Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, and the actual state of the US meat/food industry during that time in history.

I could really use some help in finding sources for this paper. Websites are alright I suppose but books are what I'm really looking for.

Topics of interest:
Upton Sinclair biographical information
Information on the meat/food industry during the early 1900s
Reforms that happened as a result of Sinclair writing The Jungle

Best Toilet Paper Evar

sirion — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:48:40 -0800

Best Toilet Paper Ever! Alright, who makes the best toilet paper ever? Surely some amount of money will bring you soft, disposable fine linens that magically don't clog a toilet.

Window shopping... but I want the display, not the merchandise!

kimdog — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:22:15 -0800

Sourcefilter: I've been seeing large sheets of paper or a paper-like material with cutouts of flowers, animals, and other cutesy designs used as a backdrop in window displays at stores like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Where can I buy some? They look sort of like Chinese papercuts but cruder and more free form. The sheets are large (like 8' x 3')and sort of crumpled as if they were folded and cut like a paper snowflake. I've Googled, but I can't get a hit. Please help me find it!

Origami paper in jewel tone colors?

lemonade — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:25:22 -0800

Where can I buy origami paper in colors which are more 'jewel tones' than the usual 'primary' colors? I received this book as a gift a couple of years ago, and it comes with a package of origami paper in really beautiful colors. There was a deep teal, and a ruby red, and a deep blue... I'd like to find more paper like this, instead of the very bright primary colors which are usually sold. Thanks!

Hand stitiching on paper

levijk — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:25:22 -0800

Looking for sites with embroidery on paper patterns. I've seen all the books on Amazon.com and have used several patterns I found on these three sites. Wondering if there are any more out there to continue this hobby.

Since the idea seems to have originated in Europe, maybe foreign language sites exist?

Going paperless; need a scanner!

killdevil — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:12:02 -0800

I would like to go completely paperless. In order to accomplish this, I'll need an excellent bulk-feed scanner to turn all of my received bills and other important pieces of paper into searchable PDFs. Which scanners should I consider? I am also interested in hearing anecdotes from those of you in the listening audience who have attempted something like this. Did it work? Was the transition painful? Did you become more efficient in your life and work thereby?

What's a "Japanese napkin," in historical context?

zennie — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:43:46 -0800

What's a "Japanese napkin," in historical context? For that matter, what's the deal with paper napkins? After the doctor had gone Sue went into the workroom and cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp. Then she swaggered into Johnsy's room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.
-- American writer O. Henry, "The Last Leaf" (1907)

What's a "Japanese napkin"? Is it like a square of tissue paper? Why'd O. Henry call it Japanese? If there were paper napkins (or tissues) in 1907, when did they become available as a commercial product?

Daily Recommended Dose

Electrius — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:41:45 -0800

TMI about digestive tract, papyrophagy inside. I have an uncontrollable craving for paper, especially (unused) toilet paper of which I eat a disturbingly large amount in the day, in the range of 20-40 of those little squares. I know this probably isn't the best for me but I haven't noticed anything besides the pleasant and predictable effect of a lot of fiber.

So, should I freak out about this? Does it reflect something I'm not getting in my diet? Should I see someone about this? Is there a brand that's better for me?

Safe document transport - how?

phaded — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:22:37 -0800

How can I transport a sixty page document while keeping it in relatively pristine condition? In order to graduate in a few weeks, I need to submit my thesis to my school's honors office by 4 PM on Wednesday. The thesis then gets sent along to be bound in a hardcover book. As such, I can't staple or otherwise put holes in it, and it needs to stay as crease/blemish free as possible, so using a binder clip won't work well either. Keeping in mind that I have a twenty minute commute to school, and then have to walk from the parking lot to the honors office (not far, but this is still a factor), what can I do to ensure that all sixty pages stay in just-out-of-the-printer shape? Thanks in advance.

Arial or Times New Roman? Single spaced? Bold?

billtron — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:08:07 -0800

Who wants to share their favorite MS Word 2003 Style themes for writing academic papers? I am a terrible typesetter. All my writing looks ugly and I don't have time to learn LaTeX before May.

Looking for very thin and glossy "magazine" paper

charlesroper — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:54:21 -0800

Where can I buy printer paper like that used in magazines? I'm printing a small catalog and cannot, for the life of me, find an online store that sells magazine printer paper. I know that the large printers use rolls of paper for magazines, but I'm just looking for 8.5x11 sheets of thin, glossy paper (just as you'd find in any magazine).

I'm sure I can go to a local printer and ask them this question, but I'd prefer to just order some online if possible.

Anyone have experience with this?

Black Paper Notebook, not Black, Paper Notebook!

headspace — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:48:23 -0800

I need a black paper notebook! Due to a collision of adjectives, I'm having a hell of a time searching the web for a spiral-bound notebook with smooth black paper (not a black cover, although that would be fine.)

I don't want pastels paper, which is textured, nor do I want loose black paper- I want cheap, smooth black paper, bound into a notebook. I would prefer 4X5 or 5X6, but I'll take up to 8 X 11 1/2.

These sorts of notebooks were widely available a few years ago when Gel Pens were all the rage, but I can't find them now. Any help would be appreciated!

Personal papers, receipts, and documentation -- should they stay or should they go?

nathaole — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:41:40 -0800

Paper trails: Similar to this link, I am looking for a specific list of personal papers, receipts, and essential documents I should keep and for how long. Any and all receipts? Bank statements? I am lost as to which papers one MUST keep and papers that just cause clutter. If I ever needed to prove something by way of having a paper trail, or if I were to be audited, I'd be left scrambling.

I've just graduated from university, have never done my own taxes, rent, and will be living in Toronto, Canada. I try to pay my bills online. Should I be printing out each statement or bill and putting it into a binder or file folder? Grocery receipts? What about those slips I receive from the ATM? Are there documents I should request from the people I am renting from?

Now I'm hearing that one needs to save their monthly transit passes for tax purposes. I know some people save each and every receipt, and I've always wondered why.

I feel confident in my organizational skills, so once I know WHAT to keep, I will be more than happy to file it away in a neat and organized manner. I'm trying to become responsible when it comes to finances, so tracking all of these things may prove useful.

Lists, suggestions, links and resources are all very much appreciated.

whee, paper plane

divabat — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:07:07 -0800

What fun things can I do with paper planes? I'm thinking of holding a Paper Plane Party and need ideas on what one can do with or surrounding paper planes.

I know of paper plane races (distance, accuracy, time aloft), and you can always design the planes creatively. You could also use the paper planes as advertising/invites, or just toss them off a tall building and watch them float.

What other creative ideas have people done with paper planes?

Who keeps clogging the toilet, and why?

dubold — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:57:59 -0800

[ToiletMysteryFilter]Why would someone clog a public toilet with paper every day? I work in an older building in NYC. The offices do not have individual bathrooms; there is a restroom for each gender, and each office has keys.

After I arrive at work, I go to use the facilities. For the last several months, every day, sometime between 9:30 and 10:00, the left-most stall has a great deal of toilet paper in the bowl. It is usually in a distinctive layout - it looks like it was being used to prevent contact with the seat, as well as wadded up and tossed in the bowl. I am estimating 1/5th to 1/3 of a roll is used per visit. It also looks as if there is urine in the bowl. If there is feces in the bowl, it is completely covered and not visible. Attempts to flush the toilet usually result in blockage and overflow.

I suspect it is the same person every time for two reasons. One: it's the same approx quantity and dispersal of paper every time. Two: It's about the same time every day. If I'm there before 9:30 or so, the toilet is empty. Between 9:30 and 10:00 it is plugged.

So why do I care? It's mildly inconvenient for me - only one other stall and the urinal is usable - but I would imagine terribly frustrating for the cleaning staff. For a couple weeks a plunger was left in the restroom, but that's disappeared.

I had thought about just leaving a note - something along the lines of "Hi, please stop putting so much toilet paper in the bowl".

The only thing that prevented me from leaving a note right away: there are a lot of different folks from various countries in the building. From previous Metafilter threads, I have ascertained that not everyone has the same toilet practices - is there some cultural/regional thing that I should be aware of here?

A couple years ago, we were finding water all over the floor of the bathroom, and it turned out that a couple men in the building were observant Muslims who used the sinks to wash before prayer. Obviously this is a slightly different condition, but if there's some cultural practice at work, I'll just bite my tongue and deal with it.

Before this started, I was talking to another tenant in the building, and he told me that someone was clogging a toilet on his floor daily. He described a similar condition. About 2 months later, it started on this floor.

Anyone have any clue as to what's going on here?

bulk paper cardstock size

sparrows — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:22:25 -0800

Seeking a bulk source for blank paper in a specific size range: shorter side anywhere from 5 to 6.5 inches, longer side anywhere from 6.5 to 8 inches. Also seeking hard/thick cardstock in bulk, same size range. Recycled a big plus but not a must. (I'm in U.S./NYC.)

What to name my B&B?

ReneeOg — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:49:00 -0800

Help me name my new business venture. I'm looking for a creative/non-cliche name for a bed & breakfast that will cater to crafters, with an emphasis on scrapbookers. Basically it will be a three day/two night girls weekend. The B&B has a large craft area. We'll also offer massage, manicure and pedicure. Any ideas?

Paper Airplane Designs

rossination — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:23:28 -0800

Favorite paper airplanes (and other flying diversions)? Lately I've been making lots of paper airplanes in my free time (I'm a music student; we take lots of "practice breaks" and do a lot of sitting around in the hall). We have different contests -- usually for distance, but sometimes for time aloft. We also like throwing them out the window into the quad.

Anyway, we've done the standard dart as well as this one, which I learned a long time ago. But I'd love some other suggestions for designs that will help me beat my pals in competition.

I realize that it's hard to describe how to make a paper airplane -- I'm hoping people have resources to link to online, or just general tips and tricks that can be explained in text.

How can paper be bleached of its text?

fjardt — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:51:11 -0800

How can paper be bleached of its text? I had a great idea for notebooks, if only i knew how to perform a necessary step.

That is--i found that the paper in many old books i have is quite æsthetically pleasing, but sometimes the meaning of the text is not :)

So then, i thought, why pay for fancy moleskines, if only the text could vanish from these pages!

But traditional paper recycling cannot be done, for that would require unbinding all of the pages, and turning that into pulp.. and so on. Pointless if i wanted to keep the paper and binding as it is.

The only method i came up with (but have yet to try) for doing this is to soak the pages in a photo emulsion and expose it to white light. Would that work? And then if it does, would the process of purchasing the necessary materials exceed that of just buying some moleskines?