Paper coated with a compound or polymer
Coated paper (also known as enamel paper, gloss paper, and thin paper[1]) is paper that has been coated by a mixture of materials or a polymer to impart certain qualities to the paper, including weight, surface gloss, smoothness, or reduced ink absorbency. Various materials, including kaolinite, calcium carbonate, bentonite, and talc,[2] can be used to coat paper for high-quality printing used in the packaging industry and in magazines.
The chalk or china clay is bound to the paper with synthetic viscosifiers, such as styrene-butadiene latexes and natural organic binders such as starch. The coating formulation may also contain chemical additives as dispersants, resins, or polyethylene to give water resistance and wet strength to the paper,[3] or to protect against ultraviolet radiation.
Coated papers have been traditionally used for printing magazines.[4]
Varieties
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Machine-finished coated paper
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Machine-finished coated paper (MFC) has a basis weight of 48–80 g/m2. They have good surface properties, high print gloss and adequate sheet stiffness. MFC papers are made of 60–85% groundwood or thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and 15–40% chemical pulp with a total pigment content of 20–30%. The paper can be soft nip calendered or supercalendered.[5] These are often used in paperbacks.
Coated fine paper
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Coated fine paper or woodfree coated paper (WFC) are primarily produced for offset printing:[6]
- Standard coated fine papers
- This paper quality is normally used for advertising materials, books, annual reports and high-quality catalogs. Grammage ranges from 90–170 g/m2 and ISO brightness between 80–96%. The fibre furnish consists of more than 90% chemical pulp. Total pigment content are in the range 30–45%, where calcium carbonate and clay are the most common.
- Low coat weight papers
- These paper grades have lower coat weights than the standard WFC (3–14 g/m2/side) and the grammage and pigment content are also generally lower, 55–135 g/m2 and 20–35% respectively.
Art paper
s- Art papers are one of the highest-quality printing papers and are used for illustrated books, calendars and brochures. The grammage varies from 100 to 230 g/m2. These paper grades are triple coated with 20–40 g/m2/side and have matte or glossy finish. Higher qualities often contain cotton.
Plastic coatings
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Plastic-coated paper includes types of paper coatings; polyethylene or polyolefin extrusion coating, silicone, and wax coating to make paper cups and photographic paper. Biopolymer coatings are available as more sustainable alternatives to common petrochemical coatings like low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (see plastic-coated paper) or mylar.[7]
Others
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Printed papers commonly have a top coat of a protective polymer to seal the print, provide scuff resistance, and sometimes gloss. Some coatings are processed by UV curing for stability.
A release liner is a paper (or film) sheet used to prevent a sticky surface from adhering. It is coated on one or both sides with a release agent.
Heat printed papers such as receipts are coated with a chemical mixture, which often contains estrogenic and carcinogenic poisons, such as bisphenol A (BPA). It is possible to check whether a piece of paper is thermographically coated, as it will turn black from friction or heat. (see Thermal paper)
Paper labels are often coated with adhesive (pressure sensitive or gummed) on one side and coated with printing or graphics on the other.
See also
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References
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Further reading
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- Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-930268-25-4
- Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
When it comes to printing, there are pros and cons to using matte and glossy paper.
Depending on your goals, you’ll want to create the best product possible, and the stock you choose is vital.
In this blog post, we’ll outline everything you need to know when choosing the right material for printing — matte or glossy paper.
We’ll cover:
Matte Finish: The Pros and Cons
Matte paper is a regular-based paper covered with a thin layer of coating that helps the paper receive inkjet. Every drop of ink from the inkjet printer is received, making for an exceptional, professional finish.
Depending on the weights and ink absorption, matte paper can differ in cost. Still, it can produce excellent results for your business when done right. Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of printing with matte paper.
The Pros
- Matte paper is versatile. Due to the absence of a thick, shiny, coated layer, it’s compatible with inkjet and laser printers.
- It dries quickly and resists fingerprints. Therefore, the quality remains true and the risk of accidentally smudging and ruining your print is minimal.
- Prints produced on matte paper can be easily written on with a pen or pencil.
- It’s inexpensive and suitable for the majority of printed projects.
The Cons
Due to the lack of a thick coating and protective layer, printed products on matte paper could be more prone to creasing and bending.
Unless you use professional matte paper (as opposed to regular), the lifespan of your products could be affected.
Glossy Finish: The Pros and Cons
Glossy finishes are popular for high-quality prints. Although it’s not the best stock for writing, the paper has a thick, shiny coating to make it stand out. Results on glossy paper look ultra-professional, too. Let’s have a look at some pros and cons.
The Pros
It gives your work an ultra-smooth finish, which makes it satisfying to hold. Therefore, it’s more likely that people will engage with it.
Glossy paper is usually the go-to when printing photos, as it looks more visually striking than matte paper.
It can add that professional finishing touch to your work.
The Cons
Glossy paper creates glare, making your prints hard to read under certain lights.
Glossy finishes can sometimes be tricky to write on, which isn’t ideal for products like planners.
Can be a less eco-friendly choice compared to other options, especially when not printed responsibly.
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The Key Differences
The main difference between matte and glossy is the contrasting finish from the final prints. A glossy finish will have an ultra-smooth, shiny appearance that makes images appear colour-rich and vibrant.
Matte paper gives off a duller, more subtle finish. Because of this, printed content and images on a glossy finish will appear more striking.
There’s also a big contrast in feel and quality between the two. Glossy paper is often the best for high-quality prints, but matte is the far superior choice for writing on.
The Verdict
The right answer depends on the product type you’re printing. Plus, nothing stops you from using a combination of matte and glossy paper.
For example, if you’re creating a planner for students, you could use glossy stock for the covers and images and matte paper to be written on.
By combining both, your glossy images will stand out even more. With matte paper, pen ink will dry quickly, so you don’t have to worry about smudging your work or notes.
Beyond matte and glossy, you can consider various other options to give your print products the best finish. These include, but aren't limited to:
- Uncoated — Has a natural and tactile feel. It lacks the shiny coating of glossy and matte finishes, making it more suitable for rustic or organic aesthetics. Uncoated stock is also favoured for its eco-friendly properties and ease of recyclability.
- Textured — Textured finishes can include options like linen, laid or felt, adding a tactile element to printed materials. These finishes are often chosen to convey a sense of luxury.
- Soft touch — Soft touch or velvet finishes provide a smooth, velvety texture that feels pleasant to touch. You'd want to use this finish for premium packaging or promotional materials.
- Satin — Falling between matte and glossy, satin finishes offer a subtle sheen without the reflectivity of glossy stock. This stock is versatile and can be used in various applications.
We've put together a blog post comparing different paper types and which is best for your upcoming project. Head to the blog post by clicking below.
Printer's tip: Want to print more responsibly? Uncoated stock is environmentally friendly as it's the easiest to recycle along with regular paper waste. It shares a similar look and feel with matte stock but stands out due to its unparalleled results on an LED UV machine. Choosing uncoated stock not only contributes to eco-friendliness but also ensures top-notch print quality and popping colour for your print products.
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We cover how to use print as part of your marketing strategy, what it takes to produce amazing print and the best advice to make print work for your business — no matter the size.
A handful of great printing tips are scattered throughout the guide, all provided by the experts at B&B Press.
So, click below to get your free copy of our Brilliant Print guide and get started on mastering your next print project.