Perfect paper
Paper choice is such an important part of the printing production process; a wrong decision here could spell disaster for entire products and cost print-service-providers (PSPs) dearly in terms of both finances and repeat custom.
With competition high for new work, and customers demanding higher quality work, cutting costs on paper is simply no longer an option. PSPs should be looking to work with quality papers to ensure printed output meets the high standards set by clients.
Here, we speak with some of the leading paper manufacturers and suppliers about some of their latest products and how these papers will help PSPs stand out in a busy market.
Quality and reliability
First up, Ben Cahill, product manager at Antalis, explains that as print is all about creating impact while conveying information and messages, the tactility and physicality of paper or board have an important role to play.
“Quality and reliability are important considerations for PSPs, combined increasingly with the environmental credentials of papers,” Cahill says, adding: “When selecting any paper substrate, there are key factors to therefore consider, for example, how is the end product to be used? What message does it need to carry? Is the sustainability message central or peripheral? How can we reduce the environmental impact? And how will the paper portray the company values?
Quality and reliability are important considerations for PSPs, combined increasingly with the environmental credentials of papers”
“The suitability for different print technologies to be used in production also needs to be considered in the selection of paper substrate.”
With this, Cahill draws attention to some of the latest products launched by Antalis during 2021. These include Cyclus Offset, which, rolled out in August, is fully compatible with all dry toner printing technologies. Its production is based on an extensive recycling concept, which Cahill says ensures the lowest environmental impact and supports sustainable growth.
Cyclus Offset from Antalis is fully compatible with all dry toner printing technologies
“This results in a natural shade of paper, made without any whitening chemical compound,” he explains, adding: “The entire Cyclus range is 100% recycled, FSC certified, and is carbon balanced as standard by Antalis via the World Land Trust.”
Also new in 2021 was Nautilus SuperWhite HP Indigo uncoated, which was added to the Antalis portfolio of digital and environmental papers. Manufactured using 100% post-consumer, recycled paper and board, Cahill says this has a high whiteness and smooth appeal.
Antalis also launched a virgin fibre product in the form of Olin Origins. A carbon-neutral paper and board range that is also a member of 1% for the Planet where 1% of sales revenue from this product is put towards environmental non-profit organisations. Olin Origins can also be multi-level embossed, creating high impact with minimum resources.
Launched by Antalis in 2021, 1% of sales revenue from Olin Origins is put towards environmental non-profit organisations
September saw the launch of another new carbon dioxide-neutral design paper range in Pergraphica. It is optimised for offset and digital print technologies and compatible with finishing and converting techniques such as creasing, laser marking/cutting, hot stamping and lamination.
“This uncoated fine paper helps printers cover all their creative and production needs,” Cahill adds.
Excellent print quality
Elsewhere and Premier Paper Group also has a number of new options on offer to the market. Brad Goldsmith, marketing services manager at Premier Paper Group, picks out the new UPM Finesse and UPM Fine range as particularly interesting recent additions to the company’s portfolio due to the qualities they offer to users.
“UPM Finesse is a quality coated paper range that is available in a choice of both sizes and weights across two excellent finishes,” Goldsmith explains, adding: “UPM Fine is a top performing uncoated sheet; both are made by one of the world’s leading paper producers.”
Premier Paper Group recently added UPM Finesse and UPM Fine to its portfolio
Also among the new additions to the Premier Paper Group portfolio of display products and solutions is Ultraboard. Manufactured in the UK by Dufaylite, Ultraboard is a true paper honeycomb board that uses less material and therefore reduces both weight and production costs.
Premier Paper Group now offers Ultraboard from Dufaylite
“Both the UPM ranges and Ultraboard are recent additions to the wide choice of quality products available for next day delivery throughout the UK from Premier,” Goldsmith says.
Alongside this, Goldsmith offers advice on how print companies should go about selecting the type of paper they work with. He says PSPs should consider all aspects of a project, including the job that is being produced, the message that needs to be communicated, the production and, finally, the finishing processes.
Goldsmith explains that only when taking into account all of these factors then PSPs will have a much clearer idea of the type of paper they need to work with, which will in turn make the selection process much easier for them.
“Printed documents are trusted and where the correct paper is selected, convey impressions of quality to the reader that reinforces key messages and brand values which cannot be achieved from electronic communications,” Goldsmith says.
“From a production point of view, selecting the correct paper for the printing and finishing processes ensures that jobs can be produced quickly and efficiently whilst achieving excellent image reproduction and print quality.”
Green minds
Another company to have launched new papers in 2021 is Avery Dennison. In November, the company announced the launch of three white uncoated papers made from 100% recycled fibres, expanding its range of post-consumer recycled materials with the idea of offering more solutions for use across wine, spirits, food and beverage products.
“For an attainable approach to sustainable packaging, brands and converters need access to a diverse range of label solutions that align with the application needs of different products, such as high-volume printing and premium textures,” the company says.
“Avery Dennison has invested in recycled materials with a broad range of structure, thickness, and pattern complexity to ensure companies can find a sustainable label solution that fits their product positioning.”
The trio of the white, uncoated wood-free paper products include rNaturel Touch Craft, a thick paper with a cotton-like texture that Avery Dennison says will allow for a craft and traditional look.
Also new is rNoble Blanc, a matte paper with a felt marked finish that is suitable for use in high volume printing. In addition, rSable Blanc is a smooth, matte paper that Avery Dennison says is also an “excellent” choice for high volume printing.
“Combining the new recycled fibre papers with other sustainable solutions from Avery Dennison can further improve a product’s eco-credentials,” Avery Dennison says.
“Semi-gloss rMC paper is an efficient option for back labels and is made from 100% recycled fibres. Labels that require a strong ice bucket performance can use rPLUS underlaminate, made with 70% post-consumer recyclate, to make complex construction as sustainable as possible.”
Celebrating success
All PSPs are well aware of the important role paper plays in a project and the potential it has to help make a piece of printed work really “pop”. The Confederation of Paper Industries is now set to pay tribute to this, partnering with the Paper Gold Medal Association to launch a new award series dedicated to the paper-based industries.
The 2022 Paper Industry Gold Awards will celebrate the best of the UK’s paper-based industries across a range of categories designed to showcase the excellence within the industry.
These categories will include recycling, net zero, sustainable innovation, skills, community engagement, and health and safety, with an individual award to be handed out in each of these areas. The new awards will culminate in the Paper Gold Medal, a lifetime achievement award for service above and beyond the norm in the UK’s paper-based industries.
O Factoid: On average, it takes 24 trees to make one tonne of paper O
Entry to the Paper Industry Gold Awards is free, as is attendance at the springtime awards event, the details of which will be announced at a later date. Entries are open now and the deadline for submissions is February 11th, 2022.
Paper choice is no easy task and requires plenty of careful thought and planning if you are to ensure you make the right choice for the print project you are working on, while successful selection could even lead to you scooping an industry honour!
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