History of Printing

The earliest dated printed book known is the "Diamond Sutra", printed in China in 868 CE. However, it is suspected that book printing may have occurred long before this date. Before Gutenberg, printing was limited in the number of editions made and nearly exclusively decorative, used for pictures and designs. The material to be printed was carved into wood, stone, and metal, rolled with ink or paint and transferred by pressure to parchment or vellum. Books were hand copied mostly by members of religious orders. Johannes Gutenberg Johannes Gutenberg was a German craftsman and inventor. Gutenberg is best known for the Gutenberg press, an innovative printing press machine that used movable type.It remained the standard until the 20th century. Gutenberg made printing cheap.

Types of Printing and their uses

1. OFFSET LITHOGRAPHY the most common printing process today the workhorse! It offsets ink from metal plates to a rubber blanket (cylinder) to the paper. Almost every commercial printer does offset printing. 2. ENGRAVING think "fine stationery." Produces the sharpest image of all. Image feels indented (run your fingers over the back side of the sheet). Most law firms still use engraving. 3. THERMOGRAPHY raised printing, less expensive than engraving. Uses special powder thats adhered to any color ink. Mainly used for stationery products. 4. REPROGRAPHICS general term covering copying and duplicating. Think in-house copying departments and copy or quick-printing shops. They take your originals and make duplicates of them. 5. DIGITAL PRINTING the newest printing process and the least understood! Includes all processes that use digital imaging to create printed pieces. Doesnt use film. (Think desktop to the digital press.) For short-run, fast-turnaround jobs. Limitations include color, paper choices, and quality. But not for long -- the technology is exploding! 6. LETTERPRESS the original process founded by Gutenberg in 1440. "Relief" printing (like rubber stamps, images on the plate are higher than the surface). Fine letterpress is being done by fewer and fewer printers. 7. SCREEN A.K.A. SILK-SCREENING. Ink is forced through a screen following a stencil pattern. Used for ring binders, t shirts, bumper stickers, billboards. Bonus types of printing

FLEXOGRAPHY special type of printing for packaging products. The plates used are flexible. Products include cardboard boxes, grocery bags, gift wrap, and can and bottle labels.

GRAVURE PRINTS directly from cylinder to paper. Used when printing for millions of impressions think magazines, newspapers, and direct mail catalogs.

History of paper
Of all the writing materials mankind has employed down through the ages, paper has

become the most widely used around the world. Paper has a long history stretching back to ancient Egypt in the third millennium BC. Although our paper may not be recognisable to the Pharaohs, paper has retained its essential characteristics down through the ages and today's diverse offerings remain as natural, essential and precious as ever. The word paper' is derived from papyrus, a plant that was once abundant in Egypt and which was used to produce a thick, paper-like material by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Papyrus, however, is only one of the predecessors of paper that are collectively known by the generic term tapa' and which were mostly made from the inner bark of the paper mulberry, fig and daphne trees. Paper as we know it traces its roots back to China at the beginning of the first millennium AD. Traditional Chinese records give the credit for its development to one T'sai Lun (about 105AD). He was subsequently deified as the god of papermakers! The craft of papermaking spread throughout the world and remained a relatively small-scale, artisan activity until paper production became industrialised during the 19th century. Originally intended purely for writing and printing purposes, a dazzling array of paper products are available to today's consumer.

21th Century & beyond

Paper is an amazing product: it is renewable, clean and incredibly versatile. It continuously offers new possibilities, applications and end-uses. Paper can be impregnated, enamelled, crped, waterproofed, waxed, glazed, sensitised, bent, folded, twisted, crumpled, cut, torn, dissolved, moulded and embossed. Who knows to what uses it will be put in the future?

Today, intelligent paper used in packaging allows us to see clearly if products are past their sell-by date by changing colour, printed electronic circuits can be used instead of traditional heavy circuit boards, scratch and sniff books bring learning to life, radio identification tags allow products to be traced at every stage, and even batteries can be made from paper.

Types of Paper
Abrasive Kraft Used For : Abrasive Kraft is used for making sand paper used in roughening applications. Absorbent Kraft Used For : Used for Laminates, tube making and defence applications. Alkaline Paper Paper having pH values greater than 7 made by an alkaline manufacturing process. Anti Rust Paper Paper which has the property of protecting the surfaces of ferrous metals against rust. Antique Paper Printing paper having good bulk and opacity with rough or matt surface. Art Paper Normally, china clay (kaolin) coated on both sides of the paper. This finish of both the sides is same, be it glossy or matt. Used For : Brochures, calendars, magazine covers, magazine text, where high quality printing is required Azurelaid Paper A laid paper usually bluish green in colour having a good writing surface. Barograph Paper Red thin paper coated on one side with a white wax, so that the needle of the barograph leaves a red line on a white ground, sold in rolls and coils and to suit the type of barograph. Base Paper This paper is generally used by a converter to either coat or laminate. Different grades are available for different applications. Used For : Mostly used for converting into a value added grade

Battery Jacket Used For : Used for Laminates, tube making and defence applications. Beedi Wrap Paper Used For : Used for decorative purposes in different colours. Bible Paper Thin white opaque heavily loaded, used for printing bibles. Not suitable for pen and ink, because of its absorbency. Blade Wrapper (SS) Used For : Used for making of small packs for keeping razor blades. Bond Paper This paper has good strength properties, good stiffness and good aesthetical look. The name "bond" was originally given to a paper which was used for printing bonds, stock certificates, etc. Important characteristics are finish, strength, and freeness fro Used For : Mostly used for letterheads and for image building stationery Book Paper A general term used to define a class of papers used by the book publishing industry; most commonly used for the book text paper but also for book cover paper. Business Forms Paper Paper made for the manufacture of business forms. Used For : Used for business forms and data processing such as computer printouts. Carbon Base Carbon is normally manufactured in lower grammages like 20 gsm or less. The most important property in this paper is porosity which should be controlled at about 15-20 ml/min, so that absorption leads to cost increase while less absorption makes poor quality of carbon paper which is used many a time. Carbon Paper This thin paper could be either coated on one side or both sides with dry impressionable ink. The main function being to impart an identical copy of the original on the substrate. Used For : Mostly used where more than one copy is required simultaneously. Carbonless Paper Paper stock specially treated or coated to provide copies without the use of interleaved carbon. The copy process requires mechanical pressure such as from writing or typing and sometimes a chemical reaction. Used For : Application forms, computer stationery, time saving stationery. Also used in copying applications without carbon paper. Cardboard A range of various boards such as pulp board, paste board, bristol board, ivory board, art board, chromo board in the form of a coherent sheet or web used for printing, packaging, decorating etc.

Cast Coated Paper A coated paper with high gloss and absorptivity in which the coating has been allowed to harden or set while in contact with a mirror like polished chrome surface. Chromo Paper China clay (kaolin) coated on one side. The coating on one side could be glossy or matt as per requirement of the customer. Used For : Mainly used for self adhesive stickers, calendars , posters, labels and for applications where only one side has to be printed Cigarette Slide Used For : Used for making of Cigarette Slides (180-200 gsm).Pulp board are multi layer boards can be used Cigarette Tissue It is a product of fashion. Hence brightness and whiteness of paper needs to be maintained. It is highly technical. Used For : Used in bobbins of 25 mm width or so. Cinema Poster Used For : For printing Cinema posters, Wall papers Clay Coating Base Paper Used For : Used for coating with Clay for making chromo and art paper Coated Paper Paper could be coated on either or both sides. Coating applied on the paper could be as per the requirement. For example, china clay coating for glossy paper used for high quality printing or gum coated paper for use of printing stamps Used For : Could have different applications for different coated papers Copier Paper Mainly used for copying. Used extensively in photocopiers, plain paper faxes, etc. and other office stationery. Thickness could range from 70 GSM onwards. Used For : Copying, typing, plain paper faxes, general stationery Creamwove Paper Used For : Used for Computer Stationery purposes. Defence Krafts Used For : Used for Laminates, tube making and defence applications. Diary Paper Used For : Used for making of diaries and sometimes for book printing and other applications. Diazo Base Paper The process involves coating of paper with Diazo solutions and a coupler. This is exposed to

ultra violet rays coming through the image. The final print is developed by making the coating alkaline. In some cases it is developed by ammonia vapour. Used For : Used for making of ammonia paper for image recording. Electrical Insulating Papers Used For : Used for Electrical insulation. Extensible Sack Kraft This paper is characterised by very high stretch and high capability to absorb tensile energy. Used For : Used for packaging in sacks, the bulk commodities. Fax Base Paper It is first coated with photo conductive zinc oxide on which images exposed. Hence electrical conductivity / resistivity is to be controlled to ensure that the image is not conducted through the paper to the other side Used For : For making Fax images Flexible Carton Board Used For : Used for making Flexible Cartons. Fluorescent Paper Used For : Used for Labels, Posters and decorative applications. Fluting Medium Used For : Used for Corrugated Board manufacturing. Foil Base Poster, Board Paper is laminated with metal foil using a suitable adhesive. Hence paper must have porosity to accept glue. Used For : Used for lamination of paper with metal foil. General Writing Paper (Note book) Paper used for Note Books should have excellent bulks because note book should appear bulky, as otherwise it will be perceived as having less number of pages. Another important factor is cobb, since writing ink must go into the paper instantly and dry. Used For : Used for note books. Glassine Paper These papers are characterised by very low porosity (air permeability less than 10 cubic cm min. Preservation of aroma and perfection against attack of external environment to the packed contents are also important qualities of the subject papers. Used For : Used for food packagings and other special wrapping applications. Greaseproof Paper These papers are characterised by very low porosity (air permeability less than 10 cubic cm min. This gives resistance to grease and moisture. Preservation of aroma and perfection

against attack of external environment to the packed contents are also important qualities of the subject papers. Used For : Used for food packagings and other special wrapping applications. Gypsum Board Used For : This is used for making panel boards for interior partitions, false ceiling etc. Ice Cream Cup Used For : Used for making Ice Cream Cups. Inter Leaving Kraft Used For : Inter Leaving Kraft is used for separation of steel sheets in a stack. Kite Poster Used For : Used for decorative, purpose, Kites Label Paper Labels are normally printed on offset machine. Hence good wax pick is required. Wire side of the paper used for application of gum should have adequate porosity. Good printability, compressibility, absorbency and ink hold out give satisfactory printing. Used For : Used for printing of labels in multi colour. Laser Paper Used For : Used for printing purposes where Laser beams are used. Liner Board Used For : Used for Corrugated Board manufacturing. Metalisation Base Paper Used For : Used for vacuum metalisation for packaging applications. MICR Cheque Paper MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. Codes, figures and words are read by computer by magnetic field created on them. By careful formulations the paper is designed to react against a wide range of ink eradicators. It gives a characteristic coloured stain of "flare up" on contact with acid, alkali, bleach and organic solvents like acetone, benzene, ethanol. Used For : Used in making of cheques which are processed by computer. Multi Part Stationery Used For : Multi part stationery paper is used for computer applications where number of copies are printed in one attempt. Newsprint It has to be made with adequate strength properties and surface characteristics; especially wax pick. Optical properties brightness is required for better readability and appeal (with ink to paper contrast which improves readability of print) and opacity.

Used For : Used for printing our daily news papers and associated issues. It is used under very stringent shop-floor conditions by the news paper blouses for printing our daily news papers and associated. One Time Carbon (OTC) Paper A carbon paper intended to be used once as opposed to many times or multiple use carbon papers. Used For : Mostly used in multi-part continuous stationery. Poly Extrusin Base Paper Used For : Used for Poly Extrusin for packaging. Sanitary Tissue Sanitary Tissues are made with rag pulp content in lower grammages from 5 gsm onward. Normal gsm range is 15 to 30. These papers are made in soft loosely felted conditions in order to obtain max. absorbency so that they can take water quickly and hold it after absorption. Made with high content of Alpha Cellulose or Rag %, they are treated with wetting agents to improve absorbency. Used For : Used as Paper Towels, napkins, toilet tissues etc. Shell Boards Used For : Used for making of Cigarette Slides (180-200 gsm).Pulp board are multi layer boards can be used Soap Wrapper Poster (ARSR) Used For : Used for Wrapping of Soaps and detergents. Soap Wrapper Poster (TDL) Used For : Used for Wrapping of Soaps and detergents. Tea Bag Paper Used For : Used for retail packing of tea. Textile Tubes and Cones Used For : Used for Laminates, tube making and defence applications. Twist Wrap tissue It possess properties of with standing breaking stress when twisted during packing of toffees. High bursting strength combined with excellent machine runnability makes it suitable for special packing operations which require papers with high twisting properties. Used For : It is used in packing of pharmaceutical products after poly lamination or coating. Wall Paper Coated with multiple colours or floral designs. Used For : Used as an alternative to paint. To give better aesthetic appeal to the walls. Yellow Pages Paper used for this needs to have high bulk (1.1 to 1.2), high tensile strength of about 2 kg/15 mm in MD and good opacity (90%) so that the fine print made on thin paper like 40

gsm would be readable on both side. Excellent reel build up is required for smooth feeding during printing. This requires every uniform profile of bulk, gsm, caliper, moisture etc. Used For : Used for printing classified addresses and information in telephone directory.

Properties of Paper
Weight Paper weight refers to the weight of a 500-sheet ream of 17" x 22" paper. Each of these sheets is equivalent to four letter size sheets. Therefore, 500 sheets of standard 20# paper weighs 5 pounds. The higher the paper weight, the thicker the sheet of paper. Higher weight paper is more durable and has a more substantial feel. It also allows less light to pass through. Standard 20# paper is used for everyday printing and copying, and for high-volume needs. Heavier paper is used for presentations and other applications where quality is important.

Brightness Contrast is a key element between the toner or ink and the paper. The whiter the paper the better your copies will look. Most paper will have a brightness rating between 80 and 100. Higher numbers represent brighter paper. Opacity Opacity is a measure of how well a material prevents light from passing through it. Standard 20# copier paper is somewhat translucent, while heavier papers are more opaque. Smoothness Paper textures vary by application. Laser printers and copiers use heat and toner to produce text and images. They require a smoother paper for crisp results. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, use water-based ink. They benefit from textured paper which allows the ink to dry faster, reduces bleeding, and produces sharper output. The above factors are the most important to consider when choosing paper for your projects. Be sure to use the right paper for your machine. When choosing copier paper, weight and brightness are most important. For inkjet and laser printers look at opacity and smoothness. If you will be printing images or creating publications, choose a heavier weight paper with extra brightness. Special photo, greeting card, and other specialty papers are also available.

Choosing the right printing paper byTYPE 1. Coated

o

Coated finish papers come in matte, dull and smooth surfaces. Smooth surfaces, also called glossy, contain the most coating and create the sharpest graphic or photo. 2. Uncoated

Uncoated finishes have no waxy coating. They may have surface lines such as linen embedded in them or they may be smooth. Linen is often used as high quality stationery. 3. Brightness

Printing paper comes in different brightness levels measured from 1 to 100. The highest numbers, reflecting the most light, make reading difficult but are best for photo printing. 4. Weight

Papers come in different thicknesses, also known as its weight. Common printing paper has a weight of 20 lbs. while the heaviest cover stock has a weight up to 120 lbs. 5. Opacity

Paper also comes in different levels of opacity, which simply means how much items printed on it will show through to the other side. Opacity is measured from 0, meaning transparent, to 100, meaning completely opaque.

SIZE
A6 is 105mm X 148mm (A5 folded in half) A5 is 210mm X 148mm (A4 folded in half) A4 is 297mm X 210mm (A4 is the standard letter paper size.) A3 is 297mm X 420mm (2 times A4) A2 is 420mm X 594mm (2 times A3) A1 is 594mm X 841mm (2 times A2) A0 is 841mm X 1189mm (2 times A1) DL is 99mm X 210mm (A4 folded in 3)

GSM
GSM - Grams Per Square Meter This denotes the weight of the paper. As a comparison: 80 GSM : the weight of your standard copier/printer paper. 80-130 GSM : are thin paper, typically used for letterbox distribution and high turnover promotional material, like flyers. Note that any paper less than 140 gsm will show through printing on the other side. 130-150 GSM : are ideal for flyers and brochures, especialy folder items and items were "show through" is not desirable. 200+ GSM : is reasonably thick, high quality paper, that is not recommended for folding

items. 300 GSM : is a thick card stock used for business cards

FINISH
The printer will need to know what finish you desire for your printing paperregarding its smoothness or texture. Here are some of the common finishes for printing paper:

Dull-coated paper Matte-coated paper Glossy paper Antique paper Vellum paper Wove paper Smooth paper Felt paper Linen paper Laid paper Parchment paper

Most common printing papers

Recycled Copier Paper About 9 percent of the copy paper used in the U.S. is made with recycled fibers. Recycled copier paper is virtually indistinguishable from non-recycled, with similar performance, color and cost. Printer Paper Can be any kind of paper that is used in computer printers. Some common examples include laser paper, inkjet paper, and photo paper. Printer paper is available in matte and glossy finishes. Matte paper has a bright white coating that dries quickly and is recommended for everyday printing. Glossy paper has a shiny coating that absorbs ink for spontaneous drying. Glossy paper is commonly used for printing photographs, posters, and other images. Inkjet Paper Inkjet printers can print on a variety of paper types. It is best to choose a paper based on what you are printing. For example, plain copier paper is usually best for printing emails or other common documents. It provides good results and is relatively inexpensive. If you will

be printing in color, a coater paper is usually recommended because it allows for sharper colors and a higher resolution image. Specialty inkjet papers are available. Common examples include photo paper, glossy paper, business cards, and greeting cards. Laser Paper Although similar to inkjet paper, laser paper is specially designed for the toner used in laser printers. Specialty types of laser paper such as checks and labels are also available.

Basic combinations
Project Annual Report Bible Book or Manual Book/Catalog Cover Booklet Brochure Business Card Business Reply Card Business Form Catalog Certificate Comic Book Dictionary Diploma Directory Fine Art Print Greeting Card Letterhead Limited Edition Print Newsletter or Magazine Newspaper Presentation Folder Rate Book Scrapbook Stationery Tag (Hanging) Suggested Paper Grade Book Bible Book Cover | Bristol Book Book Cover Index Bond Catalog Parchment | Book Newsprint Bible Parchment | Book Newsprint | Catalog Acid Free | Archival Papeterie | Cover Bond Acid Free | Archival Book | Bond Newsprint Bristol | Cover Bible Acid Free | Archival Bond | Book | Papeterie Tag | Bristol

Wedding Invitations Weeklies/Dailies (buy/sell/trade mags, etc.)

Bristol | Cover Newsprint | Catalog