Cotton Rag

Cotton Rag

Definition

Cotton rag refers to acid-free paper made from cotton fibers. Historically, it was produced from recycled cotton cloth, but today it generally refers to any paper or mat board manufactured from cotton content. Its durability and neutral pH make it a preferred material in conservation and fine art applications.

Purpose and Benefits

• Archival stability: Naturally acid-free and lignin-free, ensuring long-term preservation.
• Strength and durability: Cotton fibers resist deterioration better than wood pulp paper.
• Versatile finish: Used in fine art papers, mat boards, and conservation framing materials.
• Professional standard: The benchmark for museum-quality framing projects.

Applications

• Production of museum board and rag mat.
• Fine art printing and conservation-grade paper manufacturing.
• Archival document preservation and bookmaking.

Best Practices

• Use cotton rag-based boards and papers for the highest level of conservation framing.
• Ensure compatibility with acid-free mats and conservation glazing.
• Select products with 100% cotton content when possible for optimal preservation.

Related Terms

• Museum Board
• Acid Free Mat
• Rag Mat
• Cotton Linters