Xuan paper is produced in Jing County of East China's, Anhui Province. The county was under the jurisdiction of Xuanzhou Prefecture in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Jing County paper was first shipped to Xuanzhou, and then transshipped to other ports, hence the name of Xuan paper.

The paper is soft and fine in texture, suitable for both Chinese calligraphy and painting. Xuan paper has the reputation of being able to last for a thousand years as it can be kept for a long time.

There are numerous kinds of Xuan paper, such as dan, jia, luowen, coral, tiger-skin, and jade-plate. The quality depends on whether the paper is unprocessed, processed, or half-processed.

Unprocessed paper absorbs water easily. Ink filters through this paper easily, too. People must put their brush on this paper to make sure the thickness or thinness of their liquid ink is suitable.

Processed paper goes through a process whereby gelatin made from bones and alum (a kind of sulfate) is added. This kind of paper does not absorb water easily and is stiff or hard to the touch.

Half-processed paper has a neutral character, in that it absorbs water, but it does not filter through easily.