The organisation behind the critically acclaimed tar resource tar.fyi has launched Paper101, a comprehensive informational website covering paper sizes, materials, manufacturing, printing, conservation, recycling and practical use.
15 July 2026
The Materials Journalism Foundation has announced the launch of Paper101, a new independent online reference resource dedicated to paper, papermaking and the materials used throughout the printing, publishing, packaging and craft industries.
Paper101 has been created to provide detailed, accessible and practically useful answers to questions about paper. The website covers international paper sizes, printing formats, paper made from different fibres, specialist paper-like materials, recycling, conservation, storage, production methods and everyday paper problems.
The new resource is available at:
Paper101 follows the Materials Journalism Foundation’s work on tar.fyi, its critically acclaimed web resource dedicated to tar, its uses, behaviour, composition and role across industry, construction and craft.
The Foundation develops specialist informational websites focused on materials that are widely used but often poorly understood. Its projects aim to make technical and practical knowledge available to ordinary readers without removing the detail required by professionals, researchers and specialist users.
Paper101 launches with an expanding collection of detailed reference articles designed to answer specific questions comprehensively.
One of its first major resources examines how wood fibres are processed into paper, including the differences between hardwood and softwood fibres, pulping methods, bleaching, sheet formation and the practical characteristics of wood-pulp paper:
The website also includes a detailed introduction to ISO 216, the international standard behind the A, B and C paper-size systems. The guide explains how formats such as A4, A3 and A5 relate to one another, why the system uses the square-root-of-two aspect ratio, and how standard sizes affect printing, folding and document production:
Paper101 is intended for readers ranging from students and consumers to printers, publishers, designers, artists, archivists and people working with physical documents.
Its editorial approach places particular emphasis on clarity, source quality and practical context. Articles distinguish between recognised standards, established industry practice, manufacturer-specific terminology and marketing language. Where environmental or technical claims vary between products, the website aims to explain those limitations rather than present a single claim as universally applicable.
Paper101 also explores less familiar forms of paper, including sheets made from cotton, hemp, bamboo, agricultural residues, traditional bark fibres and mineral or synthetic materials marketed as paper alternatives.
The website’s About page explains its mission, editorial standards and relationship with the Materials Journalism Foundation:
A spokesperson for the Materials Journalism Foundation said:
“Paper is so common that it is often treated as a simple and interchangeable material. In practice, its size, fibre, grain, weight, coating, surface and manufacturing method can completely change how it prints, folds, absorbs moisture, ages and performs.
“Paper101 has been built to answer those questions properly. Readers should be able to search for a specific question, find a clear answer immediately, and then understand the technical details that make the answer reliable.”
Paper101 will continue publishing new reference material throughout 2026, building a broad public knowledge base covering the science, history, production and practical use of paper.
About the Materials Journalism Foundation
The Materials Journalism Foundation is an independent organisation supporting accessible public-interest journalism about materials, manufacturing, production and the physical objects used in everyday life.
Its projects examine what materials are made from, how they are produced, how they behave and how they should be used, maintained, preserved or disposed of.
The Foundation is also responsible for tar.fyi, a specialist web resource covering tar and related materials.
Notes for Editors
Paper101:
https://paper101.uk/
About Paper101:
https://paper101.uk/about/
Wood-Pulp Paper Explained:
https://paper101.uk/2026/07/14/wood-pulp-paper-explained/
ISO 216 Paper Sizes Explained:
https://paper101.uk/2026/07/15/iso-216-paper-sizes-explained/
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