What makes a No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 grade classification, and what is the difference?
For many years, in the paper industry, there was no defined structure for determining the standards for No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 grade classifications. Most references were based on the price of the product which proved to be ineffective and inaccurate. 18 years ago, Grade Finders, Inc. set their own standards for the various grade classifications of paper. This was accomplished by contacting all of the paper mills in the U.S. and Canada with questionnaires that requested the “target” manufacturing standards for each grade of paper. Grade Finders took these findings, collated them on a main frame computer, and then, by observing certain similarities of brands, established standards for each grade classification. These standards set by Grade Finders, Inc. have been universally accepted in the Paper and Graphic Arts Industry and are used today. If a grade of paper, such as uncoated offset, is listed as a No. 1 Offset, it will have a brightness range of 87-89. A Premium No. 1 Offset will h
