Paper and Ink’s Progress: Power of Two
by Maricon Williams

Paper and ink are two of the most crucial elements in printing. They must complement each other in order to come up with a fulfilling print. Thus, it is just but necessary to know how paper can influence the performance of inks. With the arrival of digital printing, paper and ink manufacturers are forced to work together to consider the specific properties of paper and ink and the interplay between them.

Before, manufacturers of both paper and ink work independently. Now, there has been a need to work closely together. The reason of the collaboration is the increasing demand for efficiency in ink and paper performance. The goal is aesthetic quality and advance runnability.

In connection to paper, electron microscopsy, spectrometry and other tools have helped advance its technology. The instruments were used to study the topography of the paper’s surface so that the ink can penetrate it easily and efficiently. Another method is the use of air flow from the pressurized cylinder to measure the roughness of the paper.

Electromagnetic technology, on the other hand, manipulates the pores and coatings of the paper thus setting of the inks can be checked. Scanning and microscopic equipments have been proved to give more data on the surface and distribution of coatings in the paper.

These methods determine the appropriate printing technique to be used. In connection to the ink, electromagnetic technology can also manipulate ink’s pigments so that the amount is accurate enough to enhance the gloss of the print. Studies about ink are also on going. These are aimed to develop remarkable innovations regarding the absorbency and lasting effect of ink to paper.

Said collaboration entails spending large sums only to guarantee that the laser toners and the inkjet inks spreads and dries evenly on the surface of the paper. The collaboration brought about the effectual use of color toners and ink jet inks. Another aftermath is the use of toner adhesion aids on uncoated papers.

This process has helped raise the resolution of images printed on laser printers. Another process is the sizing in the starch and of cationic resins to achieve the same quality printing as that of laser printing.

There is no doubt that these recent developments and collaborations of different ink and paper manufacturers will lead to the continuous improvement in our print industry.

Technological revolution is on the rise and we can expect clearer, more crisp and more vivid images in the coming years. Expect that veracity can be reflected!