Drukvelsheet

Drukvelsheet is a term often encountered in the context of historical printing and papermaking. It refers to a type of paper that was designed to be particularly absorbent, intended for use with specific printing techniques that utilized significant amounts of ink. The name itself hints at its function; "druk" relating to printing and "velsheet" suggesting a thin, flexible sheet of material.

Historically, drukvelsheet was favored for methods like woodblock printing and early forms of intaglio. Its porous nature allowed the ink to penetrate the paper fibers, resulting in a more permanent and less smudged image compared to less absorbent papers of the era. The production of drukvelsheet often involved specific pulp compositions and drying processes to achieve the desired absorbency. While modern printing papers have largely superseded its necessity, understanding drukvelsheet provides insight into the material challenges and innovations of historical printing practices. It highlights how the properties of paper directly influenced the quality and feasibility of different printing technologies. The term might also appear in discussions of paper conservation when dealing with older printed materials.