royal is cut larger (20 ½ inches x 25 ½ inches) to cover an ordinary catalogue. In this class of paper, too, sizes and colours are governed by prevailing consumption.
In making a selection of writing papers, unless one is a very large consumer, a safe course for the better classes is to make a selection of watermarked papers. There is no virtue in a watermark as such, but the wholesale stationer is able to keep known papers up to standard, and also is able to meet all reasonable demands from stock. The prevailing sizes for writing papers are foolscap, post, large post, double foolscap; for account book work, demy, medium, and royal (in writing sizes), and imperial. Writing papers in cream wove, cream laid, azure laid, yellow wove (another term for azure wove), blue laid, and blue wove will be required. It may be necessary to keep a small stock of hand-made papers for documents of importance. Banks in medium, large post, and double foolscap are stocked if required. Engine-sized writings are suitable for much printed work, but for stationery of good appearance tub-sized papers should be stocked. Large post writings in 18, 21, 23, and 27 Ib. will be useful stock, with other sizes in equivalent weights. Double large post is desirable in all engine-sized writings, and frequently in tub-sized papers, when obtainable. The usual weights for bank papers are "foolscap 7 lb., large post 11 lb., medium 13 lb., but thinner papers are obtainable. Bond papers are similar to banks but heavier in substance, and experience will teach what substances and sizes should be stocked. Account book papers follow custom as to weight, 24 lb. demy, 34 lb. medium, 144 lb. royal,[1] 72 lb. imperial, and these are
- ↑ Some mills make medium in 32 and 34 lb., and royal in 42 and 44 lb.; all hand-made papers are of the customary weights given above.
