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Some of you have had the concern over the less than perfect folds of some of SU�s cardstock over the past few months. I took the problem to a �paper expert,� who worked for Mowhawk Paper in Albany, New York for years as a chemical engineer and salesperson, and has also worked for International Paper. I have the good fortune to work for her now in her role as mother and owner of a local hardware store and garden center.
She feels that the paper that had the problem is being folded against the grain. I folded the paper in the opposite direction and viola! Perfect fold! I�m sure that with our cardstock being cut in two different sizes, it is not always being cut on the same grain. So if you are getting in your cardstock and precutting everything for your filing system, you may want to consider cutting and folding one sheet to see how it folds, If there is a problem, cut the rest top to bottom and change the orientation of your cards for the rest of the pack so that your folds are nice and crisp.
When holding a sheet of cardstock, give it a slight bend. If you feel resistance, then you know you are going against the grain. Bend it the other way and feel the difference ... it will bend much easier, and this will give you a nicer fold.
You can often tell the grain of the paper by evaluating the resistance of the paper as you are trying to fold it. Let me see if I can explain...
Take a sheet of cardstock between your hands and make it into an upside down U shape. A full sheet of 8x11 or 12x12 is best, but I have done this is 1/2 sheets too. Bounce the paper in and out without folding it. Now turn the paper 1/4 turn and do the same thing. One side will provide _less_ resistance, and this is the _friendly_ way to fold the paper, with the grain. Now see if this is the way you intended to fold the paper, it if is then you are okay, if not, then you need to score the paper to make a pretty fold...
You can score the paper by using the scoring blade in the refill kit for the handy dandy papercutter SU! sells (true confessions, I am a demo!) or by using a straightedge and the bone folder. By scoring the paper against the grain you are compressing the fibers of the paper just enough to tell it that it can fold there without cracking.
I hope this makes sense, I can post pix this weekend if people would like visuals.
Beth R.
__________________ Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life--Picasso
I take issue with SU not making sure ALL their paper has the grain running the correct (long) way. After this many years, I feel there is no excuse for the less than great quality control. I love SU paper, but am stuck with several colors that I can't use for anything but layering or odd folds because of this problem. Just my 2 cents worth.
I discovered this was what had happened too. Now if I have one that doesn't fold properly, I cut it in half the long way and just have it open from the bottom.
__________________ I'm a loser ~ 19.2 pounds gone...lots more to go!
I take issue with SU not making sure ALL their paper has the grain running the correct (long) way. After this many years, I feel there is no excuse for the less than great quality control. I love SU paper, but am stuck with several colors that I can't use for anything but layering or odd folds because of this problem. Just my 2 cents worth.
Nina
I agree, and I've had the same problem with the paper. Made me wonder why everyone raves about SU paper when the $0.06/sheet craft store stuff or the bulk Walmart paper folds better. Now I know to pay attention to the grain. Never dawned on me to do this. Thanks for the info!
I was one of the first to complain about the paper.....and im not denying that folding against and then with the grain helps.......BUT.....The paper still is thicker than normal! No matter which way i fold first it STILL has issues.
SU! Cardstock Folds
cardstock folds
