At first glance, the topic of the article may seem strange, because the era of copiers and other machines that can do everything, especially copy drawings, is confidently moving and developing. And then suddenly we decided to talk about tracing paper. No, this is not a protest against progress, and certainly not a boycott against robots, just some things still live for many years in narrow circles, even if most people forget about them. Okay, let's step back from philosophical theme and let's talk about such an everyday item as tracing paper.
Tracing paper – this is super thin paper,which is used for copying. It's like a photocopier for those times when there was no photocopier yet. Tracing paper was invented back in the 17th century. Most likely, people did this in order to save time and make life a little easier (this is the movement of progress). The principle of tracing paper is simple - with its help you can copy a previously drawn element. It will be much faster than drawing again.
To get an idea of what tracing paper looks like, think of baking parchment, it's something similar, only tracing paper isn't meant for baking cinnamon rolls. made from fine cellulose. The original sheet is quite dense in structure, but it is the density that allows the tracing paper to be made as thin as possible so that it fulfills its purpose.
Now let’s take a better look at the mission of tracing paper and who uses it in general. Tracing paper was and continues to be used by artists, engineers, as well as people whose work is in one way or another connected with drawings and drawings. Previously, almost no one knew about the existence of tracing paper and its purpose. Only enlightened people were awarded this knowledge. That is, those who were related to engineering. But the most interesting thing is that to this day most people do not know anything about the procedure for making tracing paper; only those people who make it have this information. If previously only translucent matte tracing paper was known, now it can be multi-colored and textured.
You need to work with tracing paper carefully, because a small mistake means minus a few nerve cells of an artist or architect. After all, it is these specialties that most often use tracing paper. We'll tell you how to use tracing paper and pattern transfer technology.
Artists, engineers and architects do such simple manipulations at the speed of light, but at first we advise you not to rush, but to “get your hands on it.” There is also a concept called “printing on tracing paper,” but this is a completely different story, which is familiar only to professionals.
French – calquer (to make a copy). Latin – calx (limestone). The word became widespread in Russian in the 19th century. It was borrowed from French, in which the original meaning was “to make an impression on wet lime.” Etymological Dictionary of Semenov
The word “tracing paper” is translated from French as “stencil”, “copy”. As authoritative sources indicate, the exact name of its inventor is not known for certain. This type of paper arose in the 17th century in Germany, in connection with the needs of architects, draftsmen, and engineers who needed to copy this or that drawing or diagram. There is an assumption that the first modern tracing paper was invented by civil engineers, due to the increasing need to accurately copy complex elements of drawings.
Copying was carried out in the usual way “under a stencil”; tracing paper was superimposed on the original, and a contour was drawn along it, appearing under its transparent surface. This copying method has become firmly established in the activities of specialists in various professions and is sometimes used even now.
The very first “tracing paper” was made by medieval craftsmen in the following way: ordinary paper was soaked in weak alcohol, kerosene or turpentine. So it became more transparent compared to its original state. But this method caused various inconveniences: the paper left stains, it was problematic to draw something on it, etc., which is why the need arose for the tracing paper that is known now.
In Russia, the first industrial production of tracing paper was established in Peterhof at the first state-owned paper mill in 1816. Over time, the production of tracing paper was mastered by other enterprises.
Quality characteristics of tracing paper
Modern tracing paper can be made either from bleached sulphate cellulose with the addition of wood pulp and semi-cotton pulp with adhesive, or from ready-made glassine. Its main characteristics are density and thickness. To achieve transparency of tracing paper, one of two methods is used - calendering (passing through special rotating shafts) or increasing the grinding degree. The last method is the most effective, as it adds strength to the paper, but is also more expensive. It is possible to combine these two methods into one production line.
Types of tracing paper in the USSR
Matte tracing paper without a glossy side, intended for pencil copying, was made from non-calendered paper. Tracing paper, which has a glossy side, was produced in two types: ink and lavsan. Ink tracing paper was distinguished by its thinness and was made on a paper basis. Lavsan tracing paper had a transparent film base on the glossy side.
Pencil tracing paper without gloss, produced in the USSR, had such abrasive properties that it was sometimes used as an improvised grinding material for copper, brass, and sometimes even steel and glass. For example, with its help, factory calligraphy pens were often brought to the required gliding smoothness. Also, using matte tracing paper, the rounded outer corners of the pen, which scratched the paper, were polished.
Using tracing paper now
Modern tracing paper is used both for drawing with pencil and ink, and for digital printing on plotters, printers and plotters. It is manufactured in accordance with the standards and requirements of GOST. Tracing paper is also sometimes used in the food industry as a cushioning and packaging material or in the sewing industry for the production of stencils, patterns, etc.
The appearance of tracing paper dates back to the 17th century. Before the advent of computers, tracing paper was widely used in the construction industry, thanks to this material, it was convenient to view “through” floor plans or drawings of different levels of the device, so it was easier to check the compatibility of different sheets of the project. We can say that tracing paper is an analogue of “layers” on a computer.
Tracing paper represents translucent paper, it contains finely ground to the state of flour cellulose and wood pulp. Filling: cotton or glassine. Its density is quite large, which makes it possible to make it thin. There are also thicker types of tracing paper, so this material will not wrinkle when passing through the printer.
Tracing paper can be not only matte and transparent, there are also textured, colored and even mother-of-pearl tracing paper.
Tracing paper was originally used for drawing work Accordingly, only specialists knew about it. Now the situation has changed, and tracing paper is used in many areas. Often her used for manual copying, and even a primary school student will be able to answer what it is.
Artists and students of architectural specialties can hardly do without using tracing paper. But it is also used in the kitchen due to its exceptional properties: absorbs and does not allow fat to pass through, the dough does not stick. Using tracing paper makes it easier to roll minced meat rolls.
The advantages of tracing paper are its properties: she is not afraid of repeated addition, this material is quite durable and does not require much space during storage. Tracing paper can be purchased at many stores. Tracing paper is produced in rolls or packs of sheets of standard size.
Printing on tracing paper makes it possible to present basic color compositions, which is important for artists or designers. Designer tracing paper– beautiful, but at the same time very capricious material. It must be remembered that not every type of tracing paper is suitable for printing, so this process is best left to professionals. Many copy centers will be happy to print the required design on tracing paper.
The main property of tracing paper is its transparency., which can be achieved in two ways: calendering and increasing the degree of grinding of cellulose fiber. The second method is considered more effective, and it also allows you to make the tracing paper stronger. But this method is more expensive. Both methods can be combined - domestic manufacturers do just that, which ensures high quality products and reasonable prices.
Tracing paper (paper)- This is translucent paper, most often painted white. Today, ordinary white translucent paper has been transformed and located among designer paper collections. The transparency and density of tracing paper is achieved due to less crushed fiber than in ordinary paper and the addition of binders and resin. Thus, the trace is usually denser than that of the same thickness. Tracing paper does not have a standard classification.
What kind of tracing paper is there?
Most often, it differs in purpose and types of printing as follows:
Paper in rolls is intended mainly for technical work on plotters and laser copiers, as well as drawing with ink and pencil.
Tracing paper sizes
The most commonly used tracing paper widths are 297 mm, 420 mm, 594 mm, 610 mm, 841 mm, 914 mm (imported) and 420 mm, 625 mm, 878 mm (Domestic). A4 and A3 are popular for printing on copiers and laser printers, and for offset and stencil printing, printing formats are preferable - 70 by 100 cm, etc. Modern tracing paper comes in the following types: 
- classic white;
- all possible colors and shades;
- matte, imitation parchment;
- for gold and silver;
- with various patterns;
- with patterns that imitate water.
Traditional use of paper (tracing paper)- in booklets and calendars it is used as the second sheet after the cover. Tracing paper is used for inserts with the text of an invitation or postcard. Sometimes an envelope is made from tracing paper to match or the same color as the envelope. Also popular on tracing paper.
Tracing paper causes virtually no problems in printing.
Ways to work with tracing paper
Tracing paper has proven itself well in offset printing, but the surface of tracing paper does not absorb moisture, so foil ink is recommended. Tracing paper does not dry well, so to avoid dragging paint from one sheet to another, it is better to unload the receiving area in a timely manner. You need to hold the finished prints in small piles because the paint needs to set.
Excellent recommendation for the use of cripples and in the form of printing. When printing on DPM toners(Xerox, Canon, Konica Minolta, etc.), you must test the system on one sheet. Sometimes the toner does not bake onto the tracing paper correctly and falls off. When printing, it is necessary to take into account the temperature of the fuser, since you can lose not only the paper, but also the printing device. As a rule, the main characteristics of the material (low resistance) are indicated in the specification. Exotic problems are also possible - some brands of tinted tracing paper change color after heating. 
It is better to glue tracing paper with synthetic glue, because water-dispersed adhesive may cause a wavy effect at the gluing site. Tracing paper is sensitive to changes in climatic conditions, which means that in order to avoid curling of the paper before and after printing, the material must be protected from drafts and changes in temperature and humidity.
A common property of all types of tracing paper- the ability to absorb moisture from the air and increased sensitivity to changes in conditions in the print shop, so the packaging should be opened only immediately before printing. During the printing process, stable humidity and temperature are maintained (+20 °C and 50% humidity).
Sometimes difficulties arise during post-processing: the material is very dense and difficult to cut. The recommended height of the tracing paper stack when processing with a saber or guillotine cutter should be no more than 5 cm.
Before ordering on tracing paper, do not forget to consult with the technologist of the printing house where you plan to complete the order. When working with any designer paper, you need to study it, do a few test prints and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Look video about using tracing paper as paper for transferring drawings onto wood.
