Choices in Architect Drawing Paper

Architects drawing paper, also known as drafting paper, is specially formulated to be used with pencils or pen and ink yet still be erasable. The two primary materials from which architects drawing paper are vellum and polyester. Each comes in many different forms, and each has its unique qualities.
Vellum Paper


Vellum paper, which is translucent, is made from plasticized 100% new rag cotton fiber. Changes in temperature or humidity do not affect its usefulness. To meet different needs, vellum paper comes in pads, sheets, and rolls. One brand, Clearprint, is known for being made translucent without the use of solvents. It is of archival quality yet allows for erasing and redrawing with pen or pencil. It is strong and resists yellowing, cracking or ghosting. It is available in a variety of styles.

Pads of 16lb translucent paper are available from 8.5" X 11" to 18" X 24" in size. If a larger size is needed, the same paper comes in sheets up to 36" X 48" and even in rolls up to 72" X 50 yards. Gridded paper sheets from 8.5" X 11" to 30" X 42" are also available.

Polyester Drawing Film

Polyester, or Mylar, drafting film is also archival and is superior to vellum paper. It is strong, so it resists tearing or cutting. It will not stain or become brittle or discolored. Chemical matting allows for a suitable surface upon which to draw with either pencil or pen and ink, yet it can withstand multiple revisions and changes. As with the vellum paper, Mylar is available in different types and sizes.

In three or four mil thicknesses, the film comes in either one side/single matte or two side/ double matte. The five and seven mil thicknesses are available in single matte only. The film comes in rolls from 36" X 50 yards to 54" X 50 yards. Sheets come in sizes from 8.5" X 11" to 36" X 48".

Vellum Paper or Mylar film. Sheets or rolls. The choice is yours.

Drafting Equipment and Supplies

Much Needed Drafting Equipment and Supplies
Drafting equipment and supplies were once the domain of engineers and drafters. Today, this type of material and supplies extends into graphical design and construction design and planning. For a fully ergonomic and utilitarian workplace, it is important to outfit the workspace with state-of-the-art equipment and supplies.

Building a Comprehensive Workspace
To begin with, decide whether your work requires a drafting table or drafting desk and table. This is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any design work. Choose glass or wood topped drafting tables with a solid base. To store design supplies, consider a drafting table with additional storage drawers beneath the table top. Another essential accessory to add to the design workspace is an ergonomic drafting chair. For designers and draftspersons that spend much of their time sitting and standing, a comfortable drafting chair is a necessity. Check how much adjustability the chair should offer for optimal comfort while working.

Proper Lighting for Designers and Draftsmen
All designers and drafters spend many hours pouring over blueprints, design plans, and schematics. Good lighting is as important as the right drafting table and chair. The traditional style of drafting lights is the "swing arm" lamp that is easily attached to the drafting table. Be sure to check the wattage of swing arm drafting lamps so that work is proper.

Miscellaneous Drafting Supplies
In addition to drafting equipment for drafting and design work, several other supplies are convenient and handy tools to complete projects. These include:
. Drafting instruments, compasses, and dividers
. Drafting triangles
. Drafting scales for architectural and engineering design work
. Protractors, ruling pens and rulers
. Curve tools and arcs
. Pantographs
. Equal space and parallel dividers
. Rolling parallel rulers

Other supplies can also include a filing cabinet specially made for drawings, drafting paper, T-squares, cutting mats, calipers, and micrometers. Precision cutting tools and scissors should also be part of drafting supplies that are readily available at each workstation. Light tables and light boxes are handy for illuminating graphical designs and artwork. Determine daily use of equipment and supplies and also the quantity required.

Storage Tubes for Posters

Proper Storage for Protecting Posters and Drawings
Tubes get a real workout in professional engineering and architectural businesses. The tubular shape is a space saver that provides proper storage and protects drawings and posters. It 's hard to imagine how drawings and posters were shipped before the advent of tubes that store and protect important designs and artwork.

Today's courier services, office suppliers and drafting businesses offer several types of storage tubes. Some of these includes:
. Economical mailing tubes
. Telescoping tubes for documents
. Square and round tubes for carrying artwork, posters and drawings

Teachers, students and professionals all appreciate the clean lines of tubes for transporting posters safely and with optimal protection from damage while in transit.

Educators and students who spend hours on special posters rely on storage tubes for posters to ensure their work arrives in tip top condition. For businesses that make regular presentations using posters, carrying tubes are an excellent way of organizing and maintaining presentation posters. Carrying tubes are available in colors and transparent designs for ease of use.

Economical Mailing Tubes
There is no doubt mailing tubes are the most economical way to mail and ship posters and drawings. These are available in several convenient sizes from outside diameters of three inches up to six and a half inches. That provides plenty of room for several posters in each tube.

Telescoping Tubes for Documents
To protect blueprints, schematic drawings, posters, and other rolled documents, telescoping tubes are a "must have" for carrying and storing important work. Handles on telescoping tubes are adjustable, and these tubes have protective foam on tops and bottoms.

One handy tip when purchasing telescoping tubes is to consider using them for camping, golfing and fishing gear. These also work quite well as storage for trade show accessories.

Square and Round Tubes
For carrying posters, drawings and artwork, square and round tubes provide sufficient storage space and great mobility. These are available in two and three-foot lengths have convenient pockets for additional accessories and handy straps. Square and round storage tubes for posters are an excellent way to take posters to their final destination.

Getting the Necessary Architecture School Supplies

When it comes to architecture school supplies, there are certain items that every great student needs. Architects must be artists and designers, but they also must be meticulous mathematicians, which means they need instruments that will help them along.

Most of the items these individuals need include drafting supplies, such as rulers, forms, and templates. But many other things are necessary when it comes to architecture school.


Essential Architecture School Supplies

1. Drafting Kits

When students want to get a small discount on all of the products they’ll need for their work, it makes sense that getting a drafting kit will be the best idea. Drafting kits include almost everything that someone might need to go off to drafting or architecture school and do well.

2. Equipment for Drafting

Larger items will also be needed for architecture school. For example, big T rulers and cutting mats could be necessary, or in some cases, a drafting table may be required for the work the student is in.

3. Pencils

Pencils are of course one of the most important supplies for drafters and architects alike. There are many unique pencil types that architects must purchase before they go to school. In the same vein, it is important to have pencil sharpeners as well. Students may consider getting an electric sharpener or if money is tight, getting a quality rotary sharpener can be a good idea.

4. Erasers

When pencils are necessary for work, it means that erasers are also necessary. For most people, a regular eraser will work, but architects and drafters have their styles of erasers that work best for their fields of study.

5. Drafting Templates

Templates for making unique shapes on the paper are also important, and these come in many different shapes and sizes. Most students choose to get a large kit of them all.

6. Paper for Drafting

Paper for drafting is of extremely specific quality that you can only find at good drafting supply stores. It is necessary to get this paper at places

The Mechanical Protractor

A mechanical protractor is a simple tool used to draw and measure angles. They are familiar to most Americans from their elementary or middle school years, as they have been used to teach mathematics, especially geometry, since the turn of the 20th century. Although used by every student, most people never use them again. However, they have a lengthy history of application in a variety of fields.

The protractor has been around for over 500 years. The inventor of the protractor is thought to be Thomas Blundeville because he described a tool for measuring and drawing angles in a 1589 book on map making. By the early 17th century, navigators at sea and surveyors on land were using protractors. Because of the many uses, manufactures have designed protractors in many shapes and sizes. Along with the common semicircle used in schools, they have been made in circles, quarter-circles, and rectangles. They range in size from as small as two inches in diameter to in excess of one foot.  Protractors have been constructed of wood, steel, and brass, as well as the plastic type used in schools.

The semicircular protractor with which most people are familiar, measures angles in degrees, as in 45° or 63°.  It is usually divided into 180 equal parts.  In addition to measuring angles, protractors are the simplest way to draw angles. Because of their accuracy, many professions have relied on them before the introduction of CAD or computer assisted design. For example, surveyors used them for accurate calculations of the geography. Civil engineers have used them in designing bridges to make precise angle calculations to ensure it will support the weight load. In addition, architects have used protractors in to make designs free of flaws.

That simple tool, the protractor, has served many people well. Although still used today to teach math and geometry, the trusty protractor has given way to the computer to perform its many functions.