Getting to grips with Grain Direction!

Posted on 23rd February 2025 by Papermill Direct
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Why do I need to know about Grain Direction?

Grain direction can be important for many different projects. We have several customers who Bookbind and need their paper to have a specific grain direction to ensure the pages lay flat and turn smoothly when the book is in use. The incorrect grain direction can increase paper folds, tears, and bends. When using the correct grain for your project paper is more easily manipulated and folds with less resistance, reducing the risk of the project warping or cracking.

Determining Grain Direction

When purchasing paper or card the grain direction can be identified by the second dimension. If the second dimension is the longer number then the paper will be long grain if the second dimension is the shorter number then then paper will be short grain.

Example: 210 x 297mm = Long Grain

How do I test Grain Direction?

If you have bought the Card or Paper with us then you can always email us with your query about the grain direction.

Just email hello@papermilldirect.co.uk and quote your order number as well as the card or paper that you would like to know the direction of.

If you purchased from a different company then there are some tests that you can do at home to determine the grain direction of your paper.

The first test you can do is by folding the paper (but not creasing), just touch the corners of the paper gently together both ways to see which way has the most resistance. The paper will be easier to fold with the grain.

Alternatively, you can check the grain by using water and paper. Lightly spray a thin layer of water - you want to wet the paper enough for it to absorb the water but not enough to soak it. As the paper dries it will begin to curl, the paper will curl with the grain.

For a more in-depth description checkout the PaperCraftPanda Blog

Short Grain A4

Now you know how to determine the grain you can create whatever you want right?

Right....except what do you do if you can only find Long Grain A4 and you specifically want Short Grain A4.

We can help!

We have x3 Long Grain A3 Office Papers that we can custom cut in half to create Short Grain A4.

• A3 (297x420mm) Rey Light 75gsm | 500 Sheets
• A3 (297x420mm) IP Universal Paper 75gsm | 500 Sheets
• A3 (297x420mm) Rey Copy 80gsm | 500 Sheets

These are incredibly popular with our customers who BookBind.
When purchasing these products to be bespoke cut you will need to also add a bespoke cutting charge to your basket with the Office Paper.

Once you have made your purchase then email hello@papermilldirect.co.uk with your order number and the exact details of how you would like your paper cut.
Example:

'Hello,
This email is for bespoke cutting of order 55555
Please cut the A3 Rey Light 75gsm pack (long grain) to A4 (short grain)
Thank you'

What about other Cards and Papers?

If you looking for something a little more exciting than plain white paper and have your heart set on creating a premium pink paged notebook then we can help with that too!

Let's assume we're looking to buy the Pastel Pink Plain Paper 80gsm
The parent size of this paper is A2 (450x640mm) meaning it is Long Grain so when it is cut in half to make A3 the paper will be Short Grain and when then cut in half again to make A4 the paper will be Long Grain again.

If you wanted to buy the Pastel Pink Plain Paper 80gsm in A4 as short grain then we would custom cut the card from A3 as shown below.

You would need to add x4 bespoke charges to your order as the paper is cut from the center of the A3 pack.
If you want to keep the offcuts for shopping lists, doodles, or for another project then include this in your email with your cutting instructions.

Example:

'Hello,
This email is for bespoke cutting of order 55555
Please cut the A3 Pastel Pink Plain Paper (short grain) to A4 (short grain)
I would like the offcuts included with my order.
Thank you'

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