Coated paper has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in China's paper market over the past decade. As a high-quality printing substrate, it is considered an advanced product within the cultural printing paper category. This type of paper is created by applying a coating layer—comprising pigments, binders, and other additives—onto a base paper, followed by finishing processes. Understanding the printability of coated paper, particularly how its characteristics transform during printing, holds significant practical value for both industry and application.
Coated paper can be categorized into types such as coated whiteboard paper and gray-bottom coated paper. Over the years, low-grammage coated papers have gained popularity overseas due to their lightweight (typically under 60g/m²), cost-effectiveness, and excellent print performance. These papers are widely used in magazines, newspapers, advertising inserts, and promotional catalogs, appealing to commercial and publishing sectors alike.
In the last ten years, China’s production of coated paper and machine-glazed coated paper has increased by 8.8% and 25%, respectively. With the continued development of our country's media and the growing accessibility of printed materials, the demand for coated paper is expected to rise sharply. Therefore, deep research into the printability of coated paper remains essential for improving print quality and efficiency.
Coated paper is produced by applying a coating mixture containing pigments, adhesives, fluorescent agents, lubricants, and solvents onto the surface of a base paper. After drying, the paper undergoes a greasy treatment that enhances its functional properties. Pigment-coated paper, which includes materials like kaolin, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, and titanium dioxide, is among the most widely used types. It is commonly referred to as "copperplate paper" due to historical associations with metal printing plates. This high-quality paper is ideal for offset printing and is often used for calendars, picture books, brand packaging, and other premium printed items.
Printability of coated paper involves two key aspects: workability and quality adaptability. Workability relates to the paper’s ability to perform effectively during the printing process, while quality adaptability affects the final appearance of the printed output. Factors such as tensile strength, flexibility, flatness, and deformation resistance influence workability, whereas whiteness, opacity, smoothness, and ink absorption impact quality.
Compressibility is another important characteristic. When pressure is applied during printing, the paper slightly compresses, and its ability to return to its original thickness after the pressure is released determines its compressibility. Coated paper generally has lower compressibility due to the presence of a coating layer, which becomes more pronounced with thicker coatings. However, low-coated paper (with a coating weight of around 6g/m²) often exhibits better compressibility because of the use of machine pulp with higher flexibility and soft calendering. This makes it more suitable for certain printing applications, as it reduces the need for extremely smooth or flat surfaces.
Appearance strength refers to the durability of the paper’s surface during printing. It measures how well the fibers, fillers, and coatings bond together, affecting the paper’s resistance to wear, flaking, and dusting. For coated paper, strong adhesion between the coating particles and the base paper is crucial. Weak bonding can lead to issues like flaking or powdering, especially when using high-viscosity inks in offset printing. Ensuring good appearance strength is vital for maintaining print quality and preventing defects during the printing process.
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