paperfacing

Paperfacing is a term used in several trades to describe the application of a thin sheet of paper to a surface to create a protective, decorative, or preparatory layer. In construction and restoration contexts, it refers to applying paper as a facing over substrate materials such as plaster, wood, or brick to provide a stable, uniform surface before painting or further finishing. In bookbinding and paper arts, paperfacing can describe a lightweight layer added to bindings or pages to strengthen fragile areas or to serve as a prepare-and-protect layer for gilding, printing, or decorative work.

Materials commonly used for paperfacing include decorative papers, washi or mulberry papers, rice paper, and similar lightweight sheets. The papers are typically adhered with starch paste, PVA or methylcellulose, chosen for their balance of adhesion, flexibility, and reversibility in conservation settings. Proper technique involves careful surface preparation, precise cutting to size, careful alignment, and smoothing to eliminate air pockets or wrinkles. In conservation practice, reversibility and minimal alteration to the original substrate are important considerations.

Applications vary by field. In interiors, paperfacing can stabilize or disguise imperfections on plaster or masonry and can serve as a preparatory layer before painting or finishing. In bookbinding and paper crafts, it strengthens or protects delicate areas and can provide a suitable ground for gilding or printing. In furniture and panel work, paper veneers or facing may be used as a thin decorative or balancing layer.

Advantages of paperfacing include its thin profile, light weight, potential reversibility, and low cost. Limitations involve sensitivity to humidity, potential tearing, and variable durability compared with fabric or vinyl facings.