Cloche

The Cloche paper format has dimensions of 300mm x 400mm, giving it a surface area of 120,000 sq mm or 0.12 sq meters. It is also known by the alternate name "Cloche à Dessin" which translates to "Drawing Bell" in English. This name refers to the shapes of early brass watermark imprints used to brand sheets of this size when the paper was handmade, the bell outline alluding to the paper's common use for sketches. While largely superseded by standardized ISO formats today, Cloche maintains niche applicability for drawing, calligraphy, watercolor or tempera painting, children's crafts, personal stationery, and bookplate inserts. Its mid-range dimensions bridge small personalized projects and larger industrial applications. The enduring relevance of Cloche across centuries highlights continuity between ancient paper arts and contemporary creative spaces. Modern adoption acknowledges historical merit as much as practical versatility. So Cloche endures not just for pragmatic reasons but also its rich identity within the French paper tradition, where it earned its early watermarked name through abundant artistic use.