Hi, I work at an art supply store and I was wondering what was the proper way to handle rag paper without denting it. We've had no proper training on paper handling and we've had a couple of bad comments from print makers. Any advice on how to handle stacks of paper as well as individual sheets and how to store them too.

Thanks.

Great question. The best way to prevent any damage to the surface is to always use two hands when picking up any large sheet of paper. If you use one hand the weight of the paper pulls down at the opposite end and causes indentations that cannot be removed. When possible it's also important to use cotton gloves to prevent the oils from one's hands to blemish or affect the paper's surface. With stacks of paper, it's best to hold each edge of the paper stack along the grain direction. This allows the paper to naturally bend with the grain. Storage should be on any flat surface, whether it be trays or drawers. Wire frame trays are not ideal as the weight of the paper stack will leave an impression on the bottom sheets. One should also avoid excessive heat, humidity and direct exposure to sunlight.