rag paper

Rag paper is a type of paper made from cotton and linen fibers, typically sourced from textile and garment mill cuttings or clean, sorted rags. This material is still used for high-quality papers where maximum strength, durability, and permanence are essential.1

The properties of rag fiber, such as its fineness, length, and purity, contribute to superior paper quality compared to most wood pulps. Rag papers are utilized for important documents like bank notes, security certificates, and legal papers, as well as for high-grade stationery, technical papers, and lightweight specialties such as Bible paper.1

Before being used for papermaking, rags undergo a thorough cleaning process, including mechanical threshing, hand sorting to remove foreign materials and synthetic fibers, cutting, dusting, and magnetic separation to remove iron. The cleaned rags are then cooked in an alkaline solution to remove natural waxes and oils, followed by washing and mechanical beating to prepare the fibers for paper formation.1