Flatsheets

Flatsheets, or flat sheets, is a generic term used across industries to describe a sheet of material with a flat, planar surface, typically rectangular. The precise definition depends on context, but core characteristics include being a single, uniform-thickness plane of material with minimal curvature.

In textiles and bedding, a flat sheet is a rectangular piece of fabric placed between the sleeper and the blanket. It typically has straight, unfinished edges and is used in contrast to a fitted sheet that encloses a mattress.

In paper production and printing, a flat sheet refers to a single sheet of paper before folding, cutting, or binding. A flat sheet is an unfolded sheet of paper that may be cut or folded later.

In manufacturing, flat sheets comprise sheet stock produced from metal, plastic, glass, or wood products. They are sold by thickness (gauge or millimeters) and are processed by shearing, punching, stamping, bending, and finishing. Common materials include steel and aluminum for metal, polycarbonates and acrylics for plastics, and plywood or fiberboard for composites.

Dimensions, tolerances, and finishes vary by application; common finishes include painting, powder coating, anodizing, coating, or laminating. Flatsheets are foundational forms in construction, design, packaging, and textiles.