The smoothness and surface strength of paper

The smoothness of paper directly affects printing quality. High smoothness ensures better contact between the paper and the plate during embossing, allowing the ink to transfer evenly. In contrast, low smoothness causes uneven contact, leading to inconsistent ink transfer and blurred prints. To compensate for low smoothness, increasing the printing pressure can help reduce blurred marks caused by surface unevenness.

The surface strength of paper has a decisive influence on its wear resistance, anti-powder shedding and anti-fuzzing properties during printing. When printing, to obtain relatively clear dots, some inks with higher viscosity are used. If the surface strength of the paper is insufficient, it is prone to powder and fuzz shedding, which will adhere to the surface of the plate. If ink with a lower viscosity is used in offset printing, the ink will emulsify with the dampening solution, causing the blank areas of the printing plate to become dirty.