Ten Steps to the Right Paper
Six: Recycled Content
Some of you might be very familiar with recycled papers. Government agencies and conservation groups continually advance the issue and put pressure on corporations to “think green.” So be prepared.
When it comes to recycled papers, there are still a few misconceptions among designers and print buyers. Some believe that all papers are recycled anyway, and others worry about having limited paper choices.
There is also a perception that recycled papers have a potential for technical problems in the printing process. All these fears are unfounded.
Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines
If you think looking for recycled papers will limit your creativity, think again. From the more than 4,300 papers we feature at PaperSpecs, nearly 60 percent have some recycled content, and more than 1,000 meet or exceed the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.
The EPA standards for printing and writing papers are 30 percent postconsumer waste content for uncoated papers and 10 percent for coated papers.
Many mills have created papers with the minimum requirements, while others are continually aiming to produce papers with higher recycled contents.
Is Just Recycled Good Enough?
It is not only the postconsumer content you should watch out for, but also the way the paper you choose is bleached.
For years, chlorine gas has been used to bleach paper, which produced cancer-causing dioxins that infiltrate our surface waters. Now, most mills in the United States use ECF, an elemental chlorine-free process that reduces these toxins dramatically, but doesn’t eliminate them completely.
A more environmentally friendly option is to look for paper that has not been bleached at all, or substitutes oxygen-based compounds for chlorine compounds. These papers are marked totally chlorine-free (TCF) when talking about virgin fibers, or processed chlorine-free (PCF) for recycled papers. The distinction is made because the origin of the content in recycled paper and the way it was bleached is not known and can’t claim to be TCF.
Another option is to look for paper that is FSC certified. This means that the fiber content in the paper, even though virgin, comes from plantations that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for sustainable forestry practices.
But, let’s not forget about the paper’s on-press performance. Today’s recycled papers have come a long way from what you might have heard about years ago, and run as smoothly on press as any virgin sheet. In addition, they are even known to score, fold and emboss better because recycled fibers are softer and allow these processes to be performed with ease.
Seven: the Printing Process
If your budget allows for specialty printing processes, such as embossing, foil stamping, letterpress and the like, make sure your paper is suitable for these techniques. Look at printed samples. They’re available, and you just have to ask for them.
As digital printing has become more and more popular, be aware not to specify a digital sheet for an offset press and vice versa. Digital printing papers are made specifically to perform under the high heat/low moisture conditions of a digital printer or press. Offset papers are manufactured to perform at low temperatures and with liquid inks.
You will see that many mills offer digital lines for their established grades, and there are more coming into the market all the time — from white sheets to metallic papers that run with ease on digital presses.
Using the right paper for the printing process, whether digital, offset or specialty, eliminates one variable in print production that can cause problems — and we don’t have time for problems.
Eight: End Usage and Distribution
Will the piece be mailed, mass mailed or handed out personally to selected prospects? We discussed mail-outs earlier, so watch out for overall weight; and when choosing reply cards or postcards, make sure the paper you spec is manufactured to the caliper required.
If you design stationery, be aware that in 99 percent of all cases, letterheads will be printed by laser or inkjet printers, so make sure the paper you purchase is compatible for this specific use.
When it comes to embossed finishes, many mills offer laser compatible versions of their textured sheets, called Light, as in a light version of cockle, or Imaging, as in imagine that looks like laid. This paper will still show the specific texture, but in a less embossed way, which makes it suitable for use in laser/inkjet printers.
If the paper is not specified for laser use, be sure to get a few sample sheets and test it yourself. When it comes to textured sheets, toner has a tendency to easily rub off, especially when touching the imprinted copy.
For educational or reference pieces with a long lifespan, pick a paper that offers sturdiness and durability. Synthetic papers, for example, have proven to be a great alternative to index stock, when it comes to tabs.
If a piece is handed out personally, you are home free – no postal regulations, no weight constraints – well, nearly none. Will the person handing out the piece or the recipient want to make notes on the piece? In that case, watch out for coated gloss papers or varnishes. Few pens write well on them and your prospects will be frustrated.
In cases where a lot of handling occurs and you’re worried about fingerprints, a coating or varnish is definitely the way to go.
Nine: Price
It has happened to all of us. We have champagne taste on a beer budget. Paper averages 30 percent of the cost of a print project. That is not a small percentage and definitely one to take a closer look at, if you work on a tight budget.
There are a lot of ways to “cut corners” and save on general paper costs. Be sure to go to the PaperSpecs site and download my free e-book “19 Ways to Cut Paper Costs.”
If those tips don’t cut enough corners for you, and your budget still doesn’t allow for the paper you have in mind, talk to your printer or spec rep and ask for lower cost alternatives.
And if you are specifying a coated white sheet, look at your grades and see what the best sheet one grade down has to offer.
Ten: Availability
If you were told in the beginning stages of your project that the paper you selected will be shipped from Wisconsin, and you are based in sunny California, allow for some lead time and this will not be an issue for you.
We do hear of frustration when it comes to a paper’s availability and the term “mill item” comes up a lot. Be aware that a mill item to one merchant might be readily available on the floor of the next merchant.
Supply and Demand
Around 80 percent of print jobs in the United States are printed on coated or uncoated white paper. This is what sells the most, and this is what you will definitely find in every merchant warehouse.
Due to the economic situation, merchants and printers try to carry less stock to assume less financial responsibility. In general, mills have warehouses all over the country and make sure they are always well stocked, so you can have your paper in days, not weeks.
When it comes to specialty papers, especially those manufactured overseas, certain amounts are stocked in warehouses here in the United States, but if you need a larger amount, the mill will immediately tell you if any extra lead time is needed. Mills like Gmund from Germany are known to airfreight paper to the States, when necessary.
If you’re in a rush and flexible when it comes to your paper choice, consider your printer’s house sheets. As printers buy those in bulk, they are readily available and you will usually get a good price.
In most cases, your printer is your best friend, and you should have a good working relationship. But every once in a while, we hear about someone who tries to avoid asking more than one merchant for a specific paper.
I remember hearing from one PaperSpecs member, who was very disappointed to learn that Strathmore was not making the Elements line anymore. Well, Mohawk is definitely still offering this grade, but the printer’s favorite merchant stopped stocking it on the floor, and so he just told the client, “They don’t make this anymore.”
It’s Not Easy, But …
I warned you from the start that specifying paper is very complex. Recent changes in the economy have created even more issues on paper availability. I hope these 10 tips clarified many of the features you need to consider when choosing the most appropriate paper for your projects. If you keep them in mind, selecting your next paper should be a breeze.
This article was last modified on August 13, 2021
This article was first published on December 7, 2009
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