What is meant by a No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, etc. paper?
Question:
What is meant by a No. 1, No. 2, No.3, etc. paper?
Answer:
Coated papers are classified within a set of grade levels (Premium to No. 5) based on paper brightness. This classification, established by the American Forest & Paper Association (AFPA), defines the grade levels as follows:
| Grade Level | | Brightness |
| Premium | | 88 and above |
| No. 1 | | 85 - 87.9 |
| No. 2 | | 83 - 84.9 |
| No. 3 | | 79 - 82.9 |
| No. 4 | | 73 - 78.9 |
| No. 5 | | 72.9 and below |
The AFPA allows a paper manufacturer to classify a coated brand at the highest grade level that its brightness meets or at any level below. In today's market, most grades exceed the brightness range specified for the category; e.g. at 87 brightness, International Paper's Savvy grade qualifies as a No. 1 paper; however, it is sold as a No. 2.