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What is Tissue Paper?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Tissue paper is a thin, relatively strong, translucent paper made for use in crafts as well as for wrapping and other applications. Some is coated with wax so that, when it is heated with a warm iron, pieces will stick together. Japanese mending tissue is a kind of paper that is used in art conservation to mend or repair paper that is old or worn. Honeycomb tissue paper, which is sold in pads, is an accordion-folded paper for making three-dimensional centerpieces, ornaments and decorations, and crêpe paper is another variety. Acid-free tissue paper is used in preservation, in folded items such as fabric, and for interleaving.

Most tissue is sold in single sheets or collections of 25, 40, or 50 sheets, but white tissue specifically for bulk wrapping is also sold in 480-sheet reams. Paper designed for crafts might be white or brightly colored, and patterned sheets and pastels, which are matte on one side, are also available. Patterns include things such as animal prints, two colors that shade into each other, stripes, small floral motifs, and plaids. In addition, specialty varieties might use petals, ferns, jute, leaves and other natural fibers to add color and texture.

Weight

Tissue paper can refer to products like toilet tissue.
Tissue paper can refer to products like toilet tissue.

Paper is described in at least two ways: by point sizes that measure the thickness of a single sheet and by weight. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) paper industry standard is considered the most consistent way to compare paper weights. The ISO measures weight in grams per square meter (gsm). Tissue paper's weight is 10-35 gsm, which is less than half that of medium textweight paper, which is 70-100 gsm. The division between tissue and lighter textweight paper is sometimes given as 40 gsm rather than 35 gsm.

Use in Arts and Crafts

Facial tissue is used by people with a runny nose.
Facial tissue is used by people with a runny nose.

Tissue paper can be used in a variety of arts and crafts, including collage, mosaics, stamping, papier-mâché and découpage. This type of paper also can be used in the making of ornaments, garlands, paper flowers, paper sculpture and things such as pomps for parade floats. Some paper is guaranteed not to bleed, and other types are designed to bleed so that water can be applied and the color used to create artistic effects.

Other Varieties

Biodegradable tissue paper is more environmentally friendly.
Biodegradable tissue paper is more environmentally friendly.

The term "tissue paper" also might be used to describe products such as facial tissue, paper towels or toilet tissue. These types of paper typically are softer than those used in crafts. Varieties such as paper towels and toilet tissue are sold in rolls rather than sheets.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to HomeQuestionsAnswered about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

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Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to HomeQuestionsAnswered about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon57907

Why is tissue paper not to be included in our 'blue bags'?

anon10231

How is colorful crafting tissue paper made? Is the stuff toxic? I am wondering what kinds of dyes are used to make them colorful. Thanks.

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    • Tissue paper can refer to products like toilet tissue.
      By: StudioPortoSabbia
      Tissue paper can refer to products like toilet tissue.
    • Facial tissue is used by people with a runny nose.
      By: Irena Misevic
      Facial tissue is used by people with a runny nose.
    • Biodegradable tissue paper is more environmentally friendly.
      By: Nikola Bilic
      Biodegradable tissue paper is more environmentally friendly.
    • Some people use the term "tissue paper" to describe paper towels.
      By: didecs
      Some people use the term "tissue paper" to describe paper towels.
    • Some tissue paper is designed specifically for crafting, and is available in a variety of colors.
      By: roger ashford
      Some tissue paper is designed specifically for crafting, and is available in a variety of colors.