Questions & Answers about Resume Paper

Why is cotton used in paper?
Why should I use cotton fiber paper?
Will cotton fiber paper work in my printer?
Why are fine papers watermarked?
What weight envelope should I use?
What is wove paper?
What is linen paper?
Will embossed papers work in my printer?

Why is cotton used in paper?
Cotton is one of the strongest and most durable fibers known to man. Papers manufactured from cotton fiber will last longer and hold up better under repeated handling and various environmental conditions than paper made from wood pulp. Generally, given reasonable care, a consumer can expect one year of usable life for every 1% of cotton contained in the sheet. Paper made with 100% cotton content can be expected to live at least 100 years.

To illustrate this attribute, it has been documented that in 1962 while perusing the Illinois Historical Society archives, a Southworth Sales Manager discovered a letter dated 1858 signed by Abraham Lincoln. This letter bore the unmistakable Southworth watermark and has stood the test of time.

Typically cotton fiber papers are made of either all cotton fiber (100% cotton) or a blend of cotton and wood pulp. The most common blend is made of 25% cotton and 75% wood pulp.

back to top

Why should I use cotton fiber paper?
Behind the words and below the images, the paper you use makes an impression. The cotton fiber in Southworth Company’s papers sends a message even before ink is applied. Its look and feel says quality, prestige and permanence. Yet Southworth’s cotton fiber paper’s compatibility with the latest electronic imaging techniques makes it the contemporary choice. However you choose to use it, cotton fiber paper is the start of something special. While it remains the paper of choice when you are concerned about image, cotton fiber performs well in a range of roles. While the richness of Southworth’s cotton fiber paper leaves a lasting impression, its strength and adaptability shouldn’t be overlooked. Cotton fiber paper’s natural composition makes it strong enough to stand up to complex printing processes and deliver consistent results.

Not only does paper with cotton content feel good, you can feel good about yourself for choosing Southworth cotton paper for your business and personal correspondence and important documents. Cotton is a natural fiber that is made from renewable and recovered materials. Cotton linters* are identified by government recycling standards as a recovered fiber, boosting cotton paper’s compliancy with most government contracts when combined with post consumer fiber.

*Cotton linters are what Southworth uses in the papermaking process. These are the short fibers that are not used in the textile industry, and as such would be discarded into the waste stream if not used in the making of cotton paper. This reduces the waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

back to top

Will cotton fiber paper work in my printer?
Yes. Advances in papermaking have kept pace with innovations in business equipment, making Southworth’s cotton fiber paper compatible with today’s most demanding printing technologies. New surface enhancements and finishes created especially for new office technology now brings a whole range of options within the reach of anyone with an office printer. Cotton fiber paper performs in a variety of applications. Whether you use delicate tones or saturate the page with bold color, you’ll get unmatched effects on bright, clean cotton fiber paper. As with any paper, for best results we advise that you reference the Print Settings recommended for your machine. Southworth recommends the Bond or Heavyweight paper setting for laser printers. For more details read our Laser Printer Troubleshooting article.

back to top

Why are fine papers watermarked?
The watermark on Southworth paper is a sign of quality. It assures the user that the paper is a fine paper. The watermark generally will identify the manufacturer, the brand name and the amount of cotton fiber, if any, in the sheet. Through the use of a special roller called a “dandy roll”, the watermark is impressed inside the paper early in the manufacturing process. All of Southworth Company’s cotton fiber papers are watermarked signifying their fine quality and distinction.

back to top

What weight envelope should I use?
For paper that has a basis weight of 24 lb. or higher (many of Southworth’s papers fall into this category), the correct envelope is one of equal weight to the paper. The correct weight of a matching envelope for a paper of up to 20 lb. stock should be one step heavier than the paper. For example, the proper envelope to use with 20 pound paper would be an envelope made from 24 pound stock.

back to top

What is wove paper?
A paper with a wove, or smooth, finish is one that has no specially manufactured texture. Oftentimes, paper with a smooth surface does not carry a finish designation. If there is no finish designation on a package of paper, you can assume it has a wove finish.

back to top

What is linen paper?
Linen is a textured finish applied to paper by an embossing process done after the paper has been manufactured that has the look and feel of linen fabric. Generally, a linen finish is a very subtle texture that performs well in most laser and inkjet printers and copiers. Southworth offers its textured linen papers in a wide variety of weights and colors. Our Linen Business Paper is made of 25% cotton with 30% Post Consumer Recycled Fiber. Southworth Linen Résumé Paper is made of 100% cotton fiber.

back to top

Will embossed papers work in my printer?
Yes. All of Southworth’s embossed papers such as Linen Business Paper are compatible with laser, inkjet and copier machines when following manufacturer’s print settings.

back to top