Paper/Substrates

Choosing paper requires knowing how to describe and evaluate the paper. Our choice of paper is also subject to customer requirements for printing. For example, if we design a brochure about cars, we may want to use bright white, high-quality coated paper, which will help attract the attention of potential users. If we make an annual report for an ordinary company, we may want to choose opaque dull paper to help our clients express images.

Recycled paper When it comes to "recycling", the paper must include a certain amount of recycled and used fibers. This term will be defined later. Most producers of recycled products offer the same level of assurance as the first-use fibers.

In order to correctly identify recycled paper products, the United States Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) recommends using a fraction of the recycled fiber (at the molecular level) and the used fiber (at the denominator level). For example, a product that includes 50% recycled fiber and 10% used fiber can be expressed as 50/10. Similarly, if the product includes 75% recycled fiber and 25% used fiber, it can be expressed as 75/25.

Recycled fiber recycling fibers come from the printing and processing process and do not include any paper produced by paper mills prior to the completion of the paper production process. Like the paper that is re-pulped by drying the paper waste after it is wound on a roll of a paper production facility and cut into smaller, coarse paper. It includes: envelope cutting; orderliness after printing; binding and trimming; scrap in the production of paper bags, cartons and cardboard; other paper and paperboard from printing, cutting, forming and other processing processes; but not limited to this.

Fibers after use Fibers after use refer to paper, cardboard, and fiber waste that have been used by users, from recyclers, offices, and households. It includes icons such as corrugated cartons, newsprint, old magazines, mixed waste paper, form cards, and used cords. All paper, cardboard and fiber waste collected from the waste recovery departments in various regions are considered to be post-use fibers. Fibres from the printer's entire production process, processors' scrap, and outdated publications are not included.

Paper grade paper is divided into different grades, specifications and brands. Grade refers to the same large class of paper. Paper According to the pulp used for papermaking, it can be divided into two major categories. Wood pulp paper is made from mechanical pulp, including some impurities; wood pulp-free paper made from chemical pulp has its impurities washed away.

* Newsprint (Newpaper)
Newsprint is light (30 pound basis or lighter) and is a relatively inexpensive grade of paper. Newsprint is mainly made up of wood pulp, recycled fibers, and clay-like fillers. It is a non-coated paper and has a smooth appearance. This smoothing feature is obtained through the online calendering of paper. Newsprint is generally Available in web form for printing on securities, newsprint and tabloids.

* Uncoated Offset
Non-coating offset papers are of many different grades and are used for books, newsletters, catalogues, brochures, and direct mail. This paper is often a non-mechanical pulp that does not contain wood pulp. Paper that is generally suitable for writing is this type. Non-coated offset papers can be produced with or without wood pulp, with basis weights varying from 25 pounds to 60 pounds. Paper containing wood pulp is lighter; paper without wood pulp is higher in weight (between 45-60 pounds).

* Premium Uncoated offset
There are also some non-coated papers produced according to different quality standards on the market. Therefore, when selecting paper, we must not only specify the choice of non-coated paper, but also indicate the manufacturer and grade. Different grades of non-coated paper, their color is very different, so we need to ask the paper supplier for a sample handbook to help determine the desired color. Also, keep in mind that colored paper will have an effect on the image printed on it. Non-coated paper is supplied in the form of webs and sheets, and is generally light in weight.

When we plan to print a job, remember that non-coated paper is much more absorbent than coated paper. This difference affects the performance and process operations of inks, varnish, and coatings.

* Text and Cover (Text & Cover)
High-quality non-coated offset papers vary widely in color and texture. Designers generally choose based on the different effects they exhibit, and the company’s identity, writing plan, annual reports, and market exchanges. This type of paper is available in rolls and sheets. Their relatively lower grade papers generally have a higher basis weight (24 lbs, sticking up to 130 lbs. in the cover), higher opacity, greater ink coverage, and a more uniform printing surface.

* Supercal paper
Highly glossy paper, commonly referred to as SC paper, is a lighter-weight paper. This paper base is made of mechanical pulp, kraft pulp, additives and minerals like clay/kaolin, talc, calcium carbonate and other minerals. These mineral fillers completely penetrate into the paper. The more mineral fillers used in the production process, the greater the basis weight of the SC paper. Once the SC paper base is made from a paper machine, it is further processed through a 35-foot long offline stand-alone calender. They are structurally similar to those used to produce coated paper. The SC paper base passes through a series of alternating cloth/plastic filled and heated iron rolls of the calender. After the paper passes through the calender, it is subjected to multiple presses under the effect of heat and pressure at a more gradual rate than on the papermaking machine. This calendering process produces characteristics such as paper smoothness, density, porosity, and gloss that can affect the printing effects that can be achieved with high-quality SC paper.

* #5 #Coated Groundwood
This grade of paper and lighter weight is mainly used for the publication of magazines, periodicals and catalogues. The SWOP specification (web offset printing publication specification) was developed on the basis of this type of paper. Paint wood pulp paper may contain recycled fibers. This grade of paper is often supplied in the form of webs, but some manufacturers also provide sheet-fed papers based on special supply requirements.

* Premium glossy and dull/matte coated paper
This grade of paper has both roll and sheet forms. They often have a higher basis weight (higher text and cover pages). This kind of paper has a large content of coating components, which enhances the overprinting amount of the ink, and has a high printing gloss and a good smoothness of the ink layer.

Bright and matte papers differ in their paint composition and production process.
The designer's choice of glossy paper or matte paper depends primarily on the end user's usage requirements and customer preferences. This grade of paper is used for year-end reports, sales manuals, art reproductions, and posters, to name some products.

* Paper for digital printing technology Paper designed for special processes such as digital printing technology such as lasers or inkjet printers, is generally low in humidity and has a very smooth surface. This type of paper is generally small in size and provides webs for some special printing equipment. The special coated paper used in inkjet printing equipment is manufactured with the paper surface in mind, controlling the liquid ink/dye diffusion, and the ability to carry color.

Characteristics to consider when purchasing paper

* Apparent quality Many grades of non-coated paper are produced from different materials and have different surface patterns. Some papers are named textured paper, crepe paper, ruled paper, felted paper, and textured paper. These patterns may affect print quality or enhance some of the information that designers try to express. They also added a feeling of expectation for paper. Coated papers also have some apparent characteristics: bright, matte, matte, matte, and refined sizing features are all provided by the manufacturer for a surface feature. Which paper type you choose depends on the final product usage. If the product being made is an advertising brochure representing an image, glossy paper is the best choice because it can attract the attention of potential users. If it is a product manual, use matt copper or rough matt coated paper to reduce paper reflection and increase readability.

* The color paper color affects the printing effect. The color of non-coated paper varies a lot. The paper merchant has a manual that displays the colors of various papers. We can pick the desired colors from them. Color affects the clarity, readability, and feel of printed pages.

The background color of coated paper often has a different white appearance. Its color can be in a wide range from blue and white to yellow. Some manufacturers also provide very yellow milky paper. Moreover, when we use paper, we must also consider whether the background color of the paper will help our performance.

* Whiteness manufacturers will test the reflected light on the paper surface and provide a percentage value. The industry uses whiteness to divide paper grades. The greater the whiteness, the better the quality of the paper in general. For paper used in books and technical manuals, the whiteness is generally lower to avoid dazzling. However, advertisements and magazines often use more white paper to highlight their advertising effectiveness.

* Opacity printing on one side of the paper should not affect the effect on the other side. A good opacity prevents the perspective of the image on the other side. Opacity affects the readability of prints. If the opacity is high, it helps readers to concentrate and reduce dazzling effects. There are many features that have an effect on opacity:
1) Thick paper has higher opacity than tissue paper 2) Coated paper has higher opacity than non-coated paper.
3) Rough paper opacity is higher than smooth paper.
4) The opacity of wood pulp paper is higher than that of paper without wood pulp.

* Paper gloss The amount of light reflected from the surface of the paper can be either specular or diffuse reflection. When the surface of the object is flat, all light is reflected in a certain direction, like a mirror, and specular reflection occurs; when light varies along many lines The diffuse reflection occurs when the angle reflects.

Specular reflection produces gloss characteristics. Paper is generally made to a specific gloss level. High glossy paper surface with high specular reflection. Using a document printed on high-gloss paper will attract attention, but if the reader needs to read for a long time, the eyes are easily tired. Matte, dull paper and non-coated paper are less glossy and easier to read. When determining what gloss paper to use, be sure to consider the end use of the product.

* The basis weight of the basis weight paper refers to 500 sheets of basic size paper weight. If 500 sheets of 25*38 inch paper weigh 80 pounds, the paper is called 80 pound offset paper.

In the printing industry, the choice of paper often depends on how we feel about the paper. In other words, the designer always wants the paper to have a certain thickness and stiffness. If we understand more about the change from feeling the basis weight, the easier it is to communicate using the basis weight that we want to use.

If we are preparing to post a printed sheet, we will also consider the impact of the basis weight on postage. The heavier the printed sheets, the more expensive the postage.

* Size paper from the manufacturer, all have standard paper sizes. For example, a 25*38 inch paper is 25 inches wide and 38 inches long. An effective design solution is to reduce the waste of paper by matching the size of the paper to the size of the press. When working with a printer, you should understand that you can get several products from a sample sheet. Considering the size of the paper at the time of design, it also increases the control of printing times and costs.