Paper grades can be grouped according to different aspects

The categorisation can be guided by the use of a paper grade, for example, and 4 main categories can be defined: Graphic papers, packaging papers and boards, hygiene papers and technical and special papers.

Another criterion for categorising the many different types of paper can be based on the different composition of the fibres used in the production of paper. This is also divided into four main categories: pure rag papers, rag-containing papers, pure pulp papers and papers containing wood pulp.

Different criteria can also play a role in the designation of the various types of paper. For example, the starting material used in production can be decisive here (e.g. in the case of the designation pulp paper), but also the production method (e.g. handmade paper), a special characteristic of the paper (e.g. coloured paper), the intended use (e.g. copying paper) or even the country of origin (e.g. Japanese paper).