Printing Paper Finishing Types

The finishing of printing paper refers to the surface characteristics of the paper model such as how the paper feels: is it smooth such as glossy cover or rough with an antique finish? Does the medium (papers) you choose suitable for digital printing process, offset printing advantages, custom greeting card printing or just for labeling your CDs? Does the paper have a glossy appearance such as coated glossy papers or is it dull like bond paper. Does the paper enhance the look of the printed piece similar to watermarked paper or is it purely functional like newspaper print? Does the paper have a high ink absorption rate as does Vellum or poor absorption such as on coated paper?

Some common paper finishing are described below:

Linen
Linen finished paper resembles linen cloth and is usually produced after the papermaking process as an offline embossing process.

Gloss
A gloss finish produces a shiny and reflective surface on one or both sides of certain coated papers. A higher gloss is usually seen on higher quality coated papers. The gloss finish is produced from compounds added during the paper making process.

Matte
A finish on certain coated papers that is smooth but gives a dull appearance. A matte finish, as well as other types of coated paper, are good choices for print jobs in which high quality is required.

Felt
Felt is a soft texture on uncoated paper that is created during the papermaking process with a either felt covered roller or with a rubber roller with a felt pattern that creates the finish. It can also be accomplished as an offline process. The felt finish does not affect the strength of the paper.

Laid
A laid finish has the appearance of translucent lines running horizontally and vertically in the paper. It is produced during the papermaking process with a special roller that creates the pattern in the wet paper.

Parchment
A paper finish that has an old or antique appearance and is the result of washing sulfuric acid over the paper and then quickly neutralizing the acid wash. This process melts the outer paper fibers which fill the voids in the rest of the paper. Parchment is very durable and grease resistant.

Smooth
A smooth finish is the result of the paper passing through sets of rollers during the papermaking process. This process is known as calendering.

Vellum
A vellum finish has an eggshell appearance and is consistent and even but not as much as a smooth finish. Vellum is one of the most popular uncoated finishes and paper with this finish has a high ink absorbency rate.

Wove
An even finish in uncoated paper with a slight texture made by a felt roller covered in woven wire.

Cockle
A cockle finish simulates characteristics of hand made paper with a wavy, rippled, puckered finish. The effect is obtained by air drying the paper under minimum tension.

Finishes can be applied to paper during the manufacturing process (recycled paper) or produced offline. A paper finishing such as Laid can be created while it is being manufactured with the use of a marking roller that forms the pattern in the paper while it is still wet. Paper finishes provided offline are usually accomplished with steel rollers that press the pattern into the paper. The offline finishes are known as embossed finishes.

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