10 tips for selecting digital paper

With a wide variety of papers available in today`s market, choosing the paper that`s right for every job can be a daunting task. There are various characteristics to consider: size and weight, coated versus uncoated. Digital printing poses different demands on substrates than does offset or other technologies, so the hunt for the proper digital paper may seem a bit more complicated. Following the 10 tips below can simplify the process and help to ensure the best possible digital paper for each application.

1. First things first: consider the type of document you`re trying to create and the technology you plan to use. Image and overall document quality depend on using the correct paper for the type of document you want to produce and the equipment you will be using. For example, use an uncoated paper for an application such as an internal presentation or document, whereas a coated stock is best for a brochure, marketing collateral, or direct mail piece. Also, keep in mind that there is a tremendous variety of paper in the market today with many different shades and finishes available to suit your specific application.

2. Make sure the paper is designed for digital printing. Digital print applications often call for heavier basis weights (such as 24-32 bond or 60-80 lb {27-36kg} text) due to the feeding and fusing process. Lighter weight sheets tend to cockle or go wavy. Papers that have been specifically manufactured for digital printing have unique properties designed into the sheets to respond to the high heat-fusing environment of digital presses. Characteristics have been modified such as moisture levels, formation and smoothness.

3. Digital colour printing places different demands on the paper than offset. Keep that in mind when choosing your paper. Colour electrophotographic technology, used in many digital presses, is predominantly graphics-based and applies toner at a greater rate than monochrome printing (four toners versus one for black and white printing). Again, colour digital printing requires a heavier paper to support the four layers of toner used. If the paper is too light, it will ripple due to the multiple toner applications, creating runability issues, degrading colour registration, and therefore impacting the overall quality of the image. The colour volume and density required in digital printing also means that show-through can be an issue. Heavier sheets are more opaque and help to minimise show-through. Another point to remember when dealing with digital colour printing is that good contrast and resolution are critical to rendering high-quality graphics. Because of that, smoother, brighter sheets perform well and look great. Smooth sheets help to prevent mottle (uneven looking images). Better toner "lay down" results in a sharper image and a smoother look.

4. Whenever possible, choose a standard size paper for digital printing: 21.6cm x 28cm, 43.2cm x 28cm, or 45.7cm x 30.5cm. Standard paper size is consistent with the core principal of print-on-demand. Using standard sizes allows you to respond with the shortest possible turnaround time, making your operation more cost-effective and helping you better meet customer demands. Using a standard paper size also ensures the paper has been precision-trimmed and as we`ll see in our next tip.

5. Choose paper that has been precision-trimmed to ensure image quality and for proper printer maintenance. Good registration is critical for both simplex and perfected jobs - a lack of precision trimming can result in misregistration and blurry images. Also, the fibres on the edge of a paper that has not been precision-cut can loosen and separate, creating paper dust in the machine. The dust can build up on the fuser rolls or transfer to other pages creating image quality issues. Loose fibres can also prevent toner from transferring properly, creating white spots on the image.

6. Not all digital presses are the same; understand the print engine being used. Each vendor`s press has a different size and basis weight range. Additionally, the paper path, feeding mechanism and toner chemistry can also be different. Papers respond differently to all of these variations so be sure to select a paper supplier who has a history in digital printing technology and offers papers specifically designed to optimise performance in digital printers/presses.

7. Coated printing papers are not created equal. With coated papers, printers must be more careful than with uncoated papers: the coating chemistry must be designed to withstand the high heat environment of the digital printing process. Coated offset grades can blister, crack and bubble when fused. Toner adhesion and image quality can also be an issue with offset coated papers, so be sure to use a coated paper specifically designed for digital printing.

8. Always do a test run with a new paper before you have a big job to complete. Unless you have previous experience with that specific type of paper, make sure you do a file test on the requested paper stock to ensure that it will provide the image quality, as well as look and feel that you and your customers expect. Your digital paper selection process should be no different than your offset selection - find a coated and uncoated "house sheet" that gives you the performance, productivity and image quality that meets your needs and stick with it. But don`t be afraid to try some of the digital specialty media on the market that enables you to print all kinds of new applications.

9. Take into consideration the type of finishing your job will require. For example, does the job require binding or folding? If so, be sure to select short-grain paper, which results in better image integrity on the fold. You should also always pre-score the paper or buy pre-scored papers for some types of applications like greeting cards, invitations, etc.

10. Finally, make sure you store the paper properly to ensure the best possible results. A little conditioning goes a long way, and it can make the difference between "okay" and outstanding results.

Once the right paper is selected for the job, it`s important to ensure that the quality of the paper will remain high, job after job. Here are some easy ways to get the most out of your paper:

* Stack individual cartons of paper carefully on top of one another to avoid crushing the edges or causing any other damage. To avoid page-curling moisture absorption, always store cartons on shelves or in cabinets rather than directly on the floor.

* Temperature and humidity are critical factors in how paper performs in your copier or printer. Store paper at a temperature between 68 and 76 degrees F {20 and 24 degrees C}. Choose an area that`s protected from extreme temperatures and humidity.

* Do not open the wrapper until you are ready to load the paper into your copier or printer. The wrapper has an inner lining that guards against moisture absorption, and once opened, the protective barrier is gone. After you open the ream, reseal the wrapper with tape if you will not be using all the paper immediately, or store in a plastic bag.

Xerox customers have an advantage in that Xerox recognises its responsibility to provide the highest quality paper and specialty media to its customers. Xerox Supplies offers the largest portfolio of digitally optimised paper and specialty media available in the market, with a complete range of coated and uncoated papers as well as labels, tabs, transparencies, synthetic papers, and more. In addition, Xerox has a global exclusive coating formulation for its coated papers (Digital Colour Gloss and Silk) that allows us to guarantee their performance across all Xerox DocuColor engines.

At the heart of every amazing digital print piece is the substrate on which it is printed. Achieving the highest possible quality image means using the best supplies. This goes beyond the press itself; using the proper digital paper for the print engine and for the application itself is a vital step in a successful and efficient workflow. Selecting the best digital paper for the job is the first step in achieving a high-quality result.