Impact of Paper Quality on Printing

Paper and paperboard are made from plant fibers combined with fillers, pigments, and adhesives. In packaging and commercial printing, producing high-quality printed products depends on five core factors: people, machines, materials, methods, and environment.

Among these, paper quality—as the primary printing material—has a direct and significant impact on print performance, color consistency, and production stability. This is especially important for precision-driven applications such as book printing, where even minor paper defects can affect the final appearance.

Below are the key ways paper quality influences printing results.

1. Paper Smoothness and Print Quality

Paper smoothness refers to the flatness and uniformity of the paper surface, reflecting its surface structure. Print quality is closely related to smoothness because it determines how well the paper contacts the printing blanket, directly affecting ink transfer and image clarity.

When paper smoothness is poor:

• Ink distribution becomes uneven, resulting in inconsistent ink film thickness

• Printed colors appear uneven, dots enlarge, and mechanical dot gain increases

• Ink adhesion is reduced, causing images to look blurry or mottled

• In severe cases, dot loss occurs, reducing image detail

  
  

Good paper smoothness is essential for achieving sharp images and uniform colors.

2. Compression and Deformation Characteristics of Paper

Printing paper should have appropriate compressibility and the ability to recover quickly after pressure is released. During printing, controlled compression ensures full contact with the printing blanket and allows even ink transfer.

If paper has good compressibility and elastic recovery:

• Ink transfer remains stable

• Multi-color printing stays consistent

• Registration accuracy is maintained

However, if paper compresses easily but recovers poorly:

• Repeated printing pressure may cause paper expansion or shrinkage

• Misregistration becomes more likely

• Overall print accuracy and consistency are reduced

3. Paper Surface Strength and Picking Problems

Surface strength refers to the bonding between fibers, fillers, adhesives, or coating particles and the paper base. Poor surface strength can cause fibers or coating particles to detach during printing, a defect known as picking.

This can lead to:

• White spots caused by detached paper particles

• Image contamination from fine coating particles or paper dust

• Frequent cleaning of blankets and rollers

• Reduced printing efficiency and increased downtime

Strong surface bonding is critical for clean printing and smooth production.

4. Paper Acidity and Alkalinity

In offset printing, the pH value of the fountain solution is typically controlled between 4.8 and 5.2. The acidity or alkalinity of the paper has a direct influence on ink behavior and press stability.

• Acidic paper may accelerate ink drying but can also increase set-off and interfere with proper ink oxidation and surface film formation

• Alkaline paper may neutralize the fountain solution, making pH control difficult and increasing the risk of ink emulsification, which can lead to localized contamination and reduced print quality

Proper pH balance between paper and printing conditions is essential for stable results.