What Makes Supercalendered Paper Different?
Port Hawkesbury’s supercalendered paper: A versatile, high-quality and cost-effective option for publishers, catalogs and commercial printers
As every commercial printer knows, papers are tailored to specific needs and preferences, and they run the gamut from super high-end coated stock to newsprint. Port Hawkesbury Paper (PHP) offers a supercalendered paper that is a versatile and cost-effective option with unique properties that make it an attractive choice for a wide range of applications.
Our supercalendered paper, often referred to as SC paper, is a lightweight, high-quality paper that is known for its smooth and glossy finish. Its production process involves several stages common to all papermaking, yet goes one step further.
The uncoated base SC sheet at PHP is filled with clay, and our world-class paper machine is specially designed to ensure both sides of the sheet have an equal amount. Our high-quality mechanical pulp allows us to achieve clay levels that are unmatched by our competition. This is important because the clay inside the base sheet enables us to achieve high gloss in the supercalendering process.
This distinctive production step involves feeding the uncoated base paper through alternating chrome-covered steel and polyurethane rollers in the supercalender stack. This process involves extremely high temperatures and pressures - hence the term ‘supecalendering’. Combined with clay content, this results in a smooth and glossy surface. In comparison, the glossy surfaces on coated papers are created with a combination of costly pigments in a coating applied to a costly base sheet (along with a traditional calendering process), making them more expensive to produce.
Magazines and Catalogs.
The glossy finish enhances the visual appeal of magazines and catalogs, making images and colors pop off the page, while keeping costs down.
Coupons and Flyers.
Our paper’s smooth surface allows for sharp text and vibrant graphics, making it a great choice for promotional materials.
Inserts.
The lightweight nature of our supercalendered paper makes it ideal for inserts, ensuring that the final product looks great without excessive postal weight or expense.
Advertisements.
The glossy appearance captures attention and conveys a sense of professionalism, making it ideal for advertising materials.
Specialty Printing and Packaging.
Because of its quality printing and lighter basis weights, our SC paper is often used for gift wrap, single-use bags like pharmacy bags, or paper to be laminated to a backing for packaging applications.
The cost and quality benefits of using Port Hawkesbury’s supercalendered paper cannot be overstated.
Cost-Efficiency. Port Hawkesbury’s SC paper is often more affordable compared to coated papers, making it an excellent choice for large print runs without compromising quality. You can increase the PPI (pages per inch) because of our thinner (non-coated) substrate which can result in significant paper
cost savings.
Print Quality.
Its smooth surface allows for excellent print quality, ensuring that text and images are sharp and vibrant.
Efficient Production.
Port Hawkesbury’s supercalendered paper’s reduced thickness contributes to quicker drying times, which can lead to faster production cycles. The smooth finish allows the ink pigment to stay on the surface which creates vibrant color reproduction and quicker ink setting times which means faster production time in the bindery.
Versatility.
With its glossy finish and high-quality appearance, Port Hawkesbury Paper suits a range of marketing and promotional materials.
While our supercalendered paper offers numerous advantages, it’s essential to be aware of the differences between printing on coated stock and which applications are more suited for SC paper, so you can help your customers choose paper that is perfect for their projects.
Port Hawkesbury’s supercalendered paper stands as a versatile and cost-effective option for commercial printers seeking to produce high-quality materials without breaking the bank. Its glossy appearance and excellent print quality make it well-suited for a range of applications, from magazines to catalogs to inserts. However, it’s crucial to consider factors like ink tacks and absorption and durability and follow our suggested technical specifications to ensure that Port Hawkesbury’s supercalendered paper aligns with your project’s specific requirements. By understanding its unique benefits, you can harness the potential of Port Hawkesbury Paper to create impactful print materials that captivate your audience.