If there’s one profession that requires a lot of paper materials, it’s architects. Even in modern times, when seemingly everything is done on computers or tablets, paper sketches and drawings are still necessary for architects. For this important part of their job, architects commonly use architectural draft paper rolls when creating their drawings, sketches, and house plans. This type of paper is prepared especially for technical or creative drawings with high levels of detail. This drafting paper is also archival-quality, meaning the images drawn on it will last for years. It is smooth, easily erasable, can be drawn on with pencils or pens, and is sold not only in rolls, but in sheets as well.
But not all types of architecture paper are the same, and knowing the distinctions between the many options will ensure that you have the necessary supplies for your project. Below, we’ll outline the distinct kinds of architectural paper that architects should know about.
Bond Paper
First, we have the most common type of architecture paper: bond paper. This paper material is a high-quality, low-cost option available in various sizes and weights. It is an incredibly diverse paper and is often used for a variety of applications, including architectural drawings, engineering, and landscape design. Bond paper can be purchased with non-reproducible blue lines, which provide a scale of reference for drafting, but are not visible when scanning or copying the paper—making it ideal for architects, designers, and engineers to create plans on.
Bond paper is typically available in 20lb, 24lb, 28lb, 36lb and 46lb weights. The higher the number, the thicker the paper will be, and, therefore, the more expensive it will be. Heavier bond papers will also feel rougher or “grittier” to the touch. This texture is referred to as the “toothiness” of the paper. Papers that are toothier will hold graphite from drafting pencils better than a lighter, smoother paper does. The most commonly used weight among architects and architectural students is 20lb-24lb paper, as it provides good, medium texture. The Plotter Paper Guys make it easy to find high-quality bond paper to supply your architecture office.
Vellum “Paper”
Vellum paper is another paper that architects and engineers like to use, although it’s quite different than typical bond paper. It is more expensive than bond paper, as it takes more time and effort to produce, and better withstands erasing and re-drawing of lines. Vellum paper is durable, with parchment-like quality. Perhaps most importantly, it’s lightweight and translucent, making it an excellent tracing paper alternative for architects. Professionals commonly utilize Vellum for copying files or recreating designs. Vellum has a smoother, almost plastic-like surface, which makes it ideal for things like tracing but not so much for standard design and drawing work. Vellum paper comes in sheets and rolls up to 42 inches in width.
Tracing Paper Rolls
While Vellum is useful for tracing tasks, tracing paper rolls are also ideal for transferring sketches and ideas from one paper to another. Architect tracing paper rolls are commonly used not only by architects, but by other types of designers, engineers, and students in these fields. Tracing paper is great for sketching ideas, copying an element of another drawing that you want to use in your own drawing, and creating overlays. Tracing paper is also available in sheets, but many professionals find the rolls to be more economical. While Plotter Paper Guys does not sell a true tracing paper, we do offer translucent bond paper, as an option.
Mylar “Paper”
Similar to Vellum, Mylar paper is also known as drafting film, as it’s made of semi-transparent plastic material and is often used for architectural drawings as well as artistic drawings. Mylar is a polyester film, which gives it certain different qualities than Vellum, which is a vegetable-based paper product. Mylar is more durable, which means it’s more erasable and resistant to tears than traditional drafting paper. This paper is also versatile, as it has two distinct sides, a shiny side and a matte side, which is the side used for drawing. Architects can use Mylar paper for both pencil and ink drawings, which is why so many professionals in the industry favor it. However, it does not absorb ink quickly and is more prone to smudging, just like Vellum. Additionally, Mylar paper is typically much more expensive. For this reason, it is often recommended that students and those with less experience refrain from using it until they have better honed their skills. But, for professional architects and engineers, Mylar paper is an excellent, high-quality, and versatile paper choice to have on hand.
Where Can I Purchase Architectural Draft Paper Rolls?
Now that you understand the basics of paper for architects and engineers, you may be wondering where you can find these materials. The best place to search for high-quality paper is always the Plotter Paper Guys. We have an excellent selection of architectural draft paper rolls available on our website. Whether you need simple bond paper, tracing paper roles, Mylar paper, or something else, you’re likely to find it in our extensive inventory. If you have any questions and would like to learn more about this type of paper, or any other paper materials in our collection, or have questions about placing an order, please contact us!
