The Premium Choice

THE ECONOMY may be bad, but that doesn’t mean the quality of your printed materials has to be. Instead of switching to cheaper paper, this is the time to give your publications more impact by using premium papers. “They help you set your printed communications apart,” notes Laura Shore, of Mohawk Fine Papers.

Premium sheets give your marketing communications, proposals and fund-raising materials a more upscale look, she says. Toner sits better on these papers, she explains, and they boast higher opacity and better formation. They can make the difference between just a good job and an outstanding job.

“Every paper selection is an opportunity to add value, awareness and importance to the printed piece,” adds Thomas Wright of Neenah Paper. So don’t “cheap out” on paper, he says. “The job will not reach its full potential. Over time this might reflect on the image of the shop.”

People take notice of projects printed on premium papers, he says—and they’ll take notice of your in-plant too.

IPG spoke with industry suppliers, who shared some important tips for using premium paper.

Premium Coated vs. Uncoated

Uncoated papers are made with more fiber than coated papers, resulting in their feeling more substantial and bulky at the same basis weight. Because uncoated papers can be made brighter than coated, they produce crisper colors and details in photos. Plus, the glossy toner used in dry-toner digital printing adds depth to the smooth, yet tactile surface.
—Anthony McDowell, Finch Paper

Uncoated papers are absorbent, so inks, varnishes and coatings perform differently than on coated papers. Printing on uncoated paper can be as straight-forward as printing on coated papers if the separations are properly prepared. Prepress adjustments will allow the press to carry more ink, thus increasing color saturation, clarity and contrast.
—Chris Harrold, Mohawk Fine Papers

Check Paper Qualities

For uncoated papers, hold a sheet up to the light and see how the fibers within it are distributed. Look for an even formation resulting in a smooth printed image with less show through. Look for optimal toner adhesion. Smooth, well formed papers have better toner adhesion, resulting in less smudging, fewer re-prints, and better color and detail on all your images. Additionally, it can mean less toner waste, and more durability in bindery and mailing equipment. Smoothness is measured on a Sheffield scale. The lower the number, the smoother the paper.
—Anthony McDowell, Finch Paper

On lighter weight Writing and Text papers, hold the sheet to the light. Well formed paper will be even and smooth. Poorly formed paper will be blotchy. I have found when you print a solid on paper, that is where you will see the poorly formed paper latterly shine. You will see variations in the solid ink coverage, which will look like galvanized sheet metal. In fact the best test is to print metallic silver in a solid on the sheet. It will show you immediately the ability of the mill to produce quality, premium paper.
—Thomas Wright, Neenah Paper

Premium Sheets on Digital Presses

When quality, premium papers are used in today’s digital color printing equipment, image quality improves to a level that is almost indistinguishable from color offset printing. Premium paper should be viewed as a key tool in leveraging the full potential of your equipment investment.
—Chris Harrold, Mohawk Fine Papers

Choosing Sheets

Look for papers with a complete range of weights and shades, for everything from letterhead and business cards to brochures and newsletters. Test a variety of sheets for runnability and image quality.
—Chris Harrold, Mohawk Fine Papers

Questions to Ask Your Paper Supplier

What are your best selling premium brands? Which premium brands have the least complaints? Which premium brands have the best availability of matching envelopes? Which premium brands are manufactured by paper mills that will be here tomorrow?
—Thomas Wright, Neenah Paper

Know Your Clients’ Environmental Needs

Paper can help communicate a company’s environmental responsibility. When choosing your premium papers, consider your company’s “green” preferences and policies. Use uncoated papers made with post-consumer recycled fiber and/or carrying a certification from the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
—Anthony McDowell, Finch Paper

Storage Tips

When possible, allowing the paper to stabilize for 24 hours is always best. It truly depends on a number of factors, time of year and humidity control within the plant. For in-plants that buy in bulk and store for a long time, keep the paper wrapped and boxed—with unbroken seals. Our products have moisture barriers in both ream wrap and corrugate boxes. When preparing paper that’s been in storage, treat it the same as you would a new product coming in.
—Thomas Wright, Neenah Paper

Printing Tips

Mohawk digital papers are engineered to improve adhesion of dry and liquid toners. We start by making paper with a fine, even formation and then add a surface treatment which attracts and anchors toner to the paper. This combination results in bright, smooth and durable images. Colors look more vibrant, cleaner and crisper, popping off the page to grab attention—even on textured paper.
—Chris Harrold, Mohawk Fine Papers

Market Your Capabilities

Help your customers better understand your capabilities both in the digital realm and in the offset world by showing them what you can do. Produce a collection of offset samples, including solids, halftones and screens on your premium paper. Likewise, assemble samples produced with your digital printer on the same stock. Imprint an offset sample on your digital equipment to show your variable data capabilities.
—Chris Harrold, Mohawk Fine Papers

Is It Certified?

Digital papers can carry a laser guarantee, but some can even be certified for a particular press. HP Indigo and Kodak NexPress have certification programs managed by the Rochester Institute of Technology (www.printlab.rit.edu).
—Anthony McDowell, Finch Paper

Try Before You Buy

Before committing to large paper purchase programs, consider free trial packs from paper vendors.
—Anthony McDowell, Finch Paper

Keep Current

Ask your merchant representative or paper store manager to make sure that you always receive up-to-date information on your preferred stocks.
—Chris Harrold, Mohawk Fine Papers IPG