Using paper with recycled content allows printers to offer the best of both worlds.
At Rolland, our papers include up to 100% post-consumer recycled content. Plus, we power our manufacturing process with sustainable biogas and use recycled water, further reducing the environmental impact of our papers.
With all of that said, using paper with recycled content isn’t just about being good to the environment – it’s about print performance, too. Rolland’s recycled papers are all manufactured with weight, thickness, brightness, opacity and more that rivals any non-recycled option.
Getting top performance and print quality out of uncoated papers is simple with the right knowledge. When printing on Rolland’s uncoated papers, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Proper pre-press and screening
Getting quality prints is as simple as preparing your documents for uncoated paper.
It starts with choosing your paper wisely, for proper profiling and to minimize ink saturation. For example, Rolland Enviro® Satin has a treated surface, so ink will sit on the surface, preventing unnecessary dot gain.
A well-adjusted pre-press profile can also compensate for additional dot gain. When preparing pre-press documents, make sure you have the right color profile and screen line. Most printers will print at 150 lpi for uncoated papers. However, 133 lpi is ideal for web press applications.
Stochastic screening, also called FM (frequency modulation) screening, is another way to get better image rendering. This method is great for complex color printing projects because it offers crisp, near-photographic quality image reproduction (perfect for use in high-quality brochures and catalogs).
As an example, it works well for color printing of complicated images involving complex textures, such as woven fabrics, tweeds and silks, repeating backgrounds, and other geometric shapes that tend to cause interference problems when printed using conventional screens.
There are a number of benefits to this method, including faster ink drying, better detail rendering and reduced ink consumption (by up to 10%).
Consider UV printing
UV curable inks are an alternative to solvent-based methods that can greatly improve print quality and speed. UV inks uses a reactive chemical process that requires little or no solvents. The absence of solvent evaporation prevents increases ink density and print gloss with better rub resistance.
With this process, you can print on anything that fits in the press, while gaining vibrant color and detail.
For even better results, use LED UV lights for an instant curing process that eliminates drying time. LED UV lights last up to 10 times longer than traditional UV lamps. Plus, they’re an environmentally friendly alternative to solvent-based heat and air-drying processes, which release solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.
Think ink
Finally, when it comes to using uncoated papers with recycled content, consider your ink choices. Inks with added wax and certain dryers can cut drying time and rub resistance. If you’re laser printing, consult with the ink manufacturer first.
Remember to allow enough time for ink to cure, especially depending on the paper you choose (Rolland Enviro® Opaque Offset, for example, will dry faster than Rolland Enviro® Satin). Standard drying time for uncoated paper is between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the ink coverage.
Each paper in the Rolland line-up has specific parameters – from screen ruling to ink choice and drying process – that will ensure you get the most out of your print jobs. Consult our printing guide for more tips on printing with uncoated paper with recycled materials, for quality printing, every time.
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Sr VP Sales & Marketing
Renée Yardley serves as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sustana Group — a leader in sustainable, recycled fibers and paper products.
Published Oct 4, 2019 12pm EDT / 9am PDT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST