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W hile predictions that digital is set to defeat litho may be wide of the mark for now, there's no doubting that digital print technology is coming on in leaps and bounds. Recent developments showcased at Drupa confirmed that some applications are giving more conventional technologies a run for their money.

But investing in the right equipment is one thing, considering the right substrate is quite another. At present, paper manufacturers are producing products that try to mirror the kind of substrates that are used in litho.

Essentially, all digitally printed jobs have evolved from their offset counterparts, says John Parker, digital product manager at Premierbeswick Paper. So there are coated, uncoated, textured and recycled papers all specified for digital printing.

Different specifications
But when buying paper for digital presses, it’s not a case of one size fits all. Different manufacturers have different imaging technologies. This has an impact on the substrate.

For example, HP Indigo is different from Xerox’s graphic application which, in turn, is different from Konica Minolta and its digital process, says Parker.

The rise of inkjet over the past year also raises issues over the choice of substrate. As the ink on the printer is liquid and relatively thin, it has to be absorbed quickly by the paper. The paper surface, therefore, needs to be treated in a way that allows the ink to set. It’s also worth noting that, on the more conventional toner-based technology, rough uncoated paper makes it difficult to achieve an even layer of ink on the substrate’s surface.

While getting the right substrate with the right technology is important, there is also the green issue to consider. There is a huge demand for paper manufacturers to produce FSC and PEFC papers specified for digital applications. Our customers are not only looking for digital stock that works well across a broad range of applications, but also paper that boasts strong green credentials, says Katie Hungerford, marketing communications manager for graphic and communications products at Arjowiggins.

The overall advice from the market is to choose your paper carefully and make sure that it matches the application. Getting the best out of your machine doesn’t just mean running it at high speeds or producing clever, data-driven campaigns. It’s also about getting the right paper for the right job.

WHAT'S NEW IN... DIGITAL PAPER

• James McNaughton launched a small-format digital swatch last month containing samples of its range of small-format digital sheets. Split into coated, uncoated and specialist products, the swatch comes complete with printed and unprinted samples

• GF Smith unveiled a swatch of digital papers in April. The range offers a choice of substrates for basic laser printers all the way up to high-quality machines from HP Indigo, Xerox and Kodak. There are 11 FSC-certified grades and a large choice of colour, texture and recycled papers

• M-real’s Zanders Reflex mill in Germany switched its attention to the security and creative papers market. It also updated the mill’s ranges of digital papers. This year, M-real and Arjowiggins decided not to complete a sale and purchase agreement for the Reflex Mill