These Papers Are Real Beauties
Tough and durable, synthetics also give glamorous high-end performance.
By Mike Ducey -- graphic arts online, 4/1/2006
Firms looking for an over-the-top promotional run are using something that is really not paper at all—but rather an extruded film, commonly known as synthetic paper.
For decades, synthetics have accounted for a small niche in commercial paper sales—less than 5%. Rivaling, even surpassing coated paper qualities, synthetic costs run four to ten times more than comparable weight wood fiber papers.
Synthetics print, bind, fold, coat and diecut similar to conventional stocks, but tend to dry slowly. Their non-porous surfaces don't absorb ink. Adding inline aqueous coating or beefing up delivery dryers helps, but the substrate is typically so dense, even UV inks will smudge.
Some manufacturers make a specific quick-dry version, but most printers run synthetics quite a bit slower. Due to the high cost of waste, accurate proofing and set-up are very important.
The slow-to-dry synthetic surfaces are also key to their advantages. Inherent smoothness allows the ink to set up on the sheet perfectly, lending vibrancy to images and serving up ultra-clear text. Mottle and feathering are virtually eliminated if setup is right.
These indestructible substrates are often used in jobs for outdoor use—tags, maps, manuals, posters and display pieces. But a high-end appearance is moving them into indoor top-caliber promotions for customers in the automotive, art and service fields.
Synthetic paper is also grease- and oil-resistant. This makes grades like PolyArt by Arjobex America ideal for labels in food plants, where the process environment is harsh. PolyArt recently expanded its line to include a new 162-lb. cover sheet for more durable applications such as banners, outdoor manuals and, this time of year, tags for lawn equipment.
Packaging applications of synthetic paper might involve flexographic printing, requiring evaporative drying, UV or EB inks. Most synthetics are not compressible, so nip pressure must be set carefully to avoid mottle-poor transfer.
Hop-Syn is reaching into the rigid PVC applications with its full line of thermoforming and print grades. Its heat-resistant DuraLite and Hop-Syn grades come in uncoated and coated weights.
Other popular brands include Neenah Paper's Kimdura, PPG Industries' Teslin (shown) and Yupo, as well as OEM brands from Epson and Océ. Newcomers include Paper Tyger, Granwell's Polylith and Valeron, and V-Max lines.
