What’s So Special about Digital Papers?

Samantha Jones of Lindenmeyr Munroe Weighs In

Since digital printing is on the rise*, more and more print buyers and designers are spec’ing paper for digital jobs. I wondered: how different is paper for digital printing from offset printing? What should customers know when spec’ing this paper?

Samantha Jones

Last fall, Samantha Jones presented at our 6^th Annual Print & Media Conference in Chicago. Samantha is the Director of Business Development for Lindenmeyr Munroe, one of the largest fine paper merchants in the country. Visit www.lindenmeyr.com for more information.

Here’s what Samantha had to say about digital papers:

Why digital paper?

Many question whether or not they really need to purchase different papers for their digital press. It’s true that you look for the same qualities in digital paper that you do in offset papers: formation, smoothness, brightness and opacity.

However, you do need to take care of the specific requirements to keep your machine operating effectively and delivering consistent, quality images. Paper designed specifically for digital presses demonstrates the following qualities:

1.Superior smoothness and formation to ensure quality toner transfer and adhesion.

Better toner transfer and adhesion translates into better quality images as well as faster time to finishing. If you use an Indigo Press, test this adhesion with a basic “tape pull” test immediately after printing. Place scotch tape over the image and examine the amount of toner transferred to the tape when you remove it. The less toner left on the tape, the better adhesion to the sheet.

Many sheets designed for the Indigo press are specifically treated to optimize adhesion and drying time. It’s important to look for either the HP or RIT certification for these products.

Third-party certification is especially important when evaluating non-paper substrates such as polyester synthetics, fabric, magnets, or cling media. For example, toner-based digital presses such as the iGen and the NexPress utilize a high heat transfer process, which means that some products will not run effectively through the press. Be certain to understand the certification or guarantees for the product before testing in your machine.

2. Optimized moisture levels to minimize static or curl, which keeps paper feeding consistent and jam free.

Low levels of moisture or a low-humidity environment tend to create static that causes sheets to stick together. High moisture or a high-humidity environment creates paper curl, which can cause jams feeding in and out of the machine.

3. Precision mill cut to minimize debris and dust, which can damage the machine and your image.

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• Mill precision cuts eliminate edge welding that causes jams.
  Guillotine cutting often compresses sheets so that they won’t feed well.
• Mill precision cuts prevent debris and related contaminates from getting caught in fuser, transfer belts or on paper, which can and will compromise image quality over time
  Guillotine cutting often leaves debris in the machine.
• Mill precision cuts ensure squareness, which is critical to machine feeding appropriately and delivering consistent registration from page to page.
  Guillotine cutting rarely can deliver the precision quality of a mill cut.

Bottom line?

When specifying paper for your digital press, don’t try to find short cuts for paper that’s good enough. A digital printer needs to deliver consistent quality in a reliable, fast turnaround; that means selecting a paper that not only optimizes image quality but keeps your machine up and running. When quality paper means a few pennies more per sheet, don’t risk what disasters around the corner could cost you instead.

Lindenmeyr Munroe partners with their clients to help them understand what products are available, what’s new, and what will work best with their equipment. Their reps are regularly trained by their partner mills to understand the ever-changing environment, keeping them up to date so to serve their customers best. Check out their website to see a listing of their digital papers and their certifications at http://online.lindenmeyr.com.

I want to thank Samantha Jones for her insights and information in today’s Print Tip. You can reach her at or at .

*According to PIA, digital toner-based sales increased 8% in the first half of the year, and ancillary services increased 3.5%. Conventional printing sales increased 1.4% (Economic & Print Market Flash Report by the Printing Industries of America).