The relationship between paper and printing

Printing represents all the processes of reproducing many sheets from one printing plate on a printing press. The printing industry is the largest concentrated consumer of paper products.

To provide paper products suitable for printing, manufacturers must understand and attach importance to the requirements of printers for paper. The two most important factors must be given due attention - "operability" and "printability".

1. Operability

The fluidity of the paper sheet on the printing press can be regarded as a combination of all properties. Poor fluidity can lead to paper breakage, machine stoppage or a reduction in the speed of the printing press, which has a significant impact on the economic benefits of printing. The fluidity of paper is manifested in its strength, uniformity, absence of paper defects and good mechanical conditions of paper rolls or paper.

Poor operability on the printing press is manifested as paper breakage or loose tension, leading to wrinkling and inaccurate registration. When the moisture content of newsprint is relatively high, its fluidity will be improved.

2. Printability

Printability, also known as printing quality, is the influence of paper on the accurate reproduction of print patterns. The properties of paper: whiteness, ink absorbency, moisture opacity, color, gloss, smoothness, air permeability and sizing degree are all very important for printing. However, different printing methods have different requirements for paper. Generally speaking, coated paper has better physical properties such as smoothness, whiteness and gloss than uncoated paper, so it will show a good appearance after printing.