In the past, scholars have divided the history of Chinese papermaking into different stages based on the development of ancient papermaking technology, emphasizing the development and progress of papermaking in different historical periods but paying less attention to the changes in the form of paper. Here, the stages are defined based on changes in use and function rather than technological developments. When this approach is combined with the history of printing, books, calligraphy, and painting, the history of Chinese papermaking can be divided into the writing paper, writing and printing paper, printing paper, and calligraphy and painting paper periods. Different periods of paper have significant differences in texture, form, and performance owing to their different applications. This significant difference provides a reference for the identification of ancient papers and reveals the internal connection between the history of printing, books, calligraphy, painting, and papermaking.

Chinese traditional handmade papers, due to their numerous names, have been misunderstood by the public about raw materials for a long time. This manuscript aims to introduce the raw materials of traditional Chinese handmade paper in a botanical aspect in chronological order. Chinese handmade paper’s raw materials are divided into two groups, bast fiber and grass fiber. Bast fiber paper includes ramie-made rag paper, mulberry and paper mulberry paper, Thymelaeaceae paper, and vine paper. Stalk and grass fiber paper includes bamboo paper, grass paper, and stalk paper.