Paper is made of two chief ingredients-wood pulp and rags. Some paper is made exclusively of wood, some is a combination of wood pulp and rags, while a few types are made from rags only.

By adding rag content to the manufacture of paper, it is strengthened, beautified and given longer life. Of course, the more rag content in a paper stock, the greater is the price.

The cheapest and shortest-lasting paper is newsprint. It fades very rapidly and is made to serve a specific purpose-to present a message that will not have to endure time.

Book papers are bleached and treated with sizing to harden their surface, thus lengthening their life span. There are many variations in book finishes. They range from antique to super-coated stock such as chrome coats. Coated paper was unknown prior to the invention of the halftone around 1880. But the halftone, to be reproduced faithfully, required smooth and hardened surfaces. Thus coated stock was developed since printing was mostly done by letterpress.

Now, since the advent of offset and digital printing, stock surface is not too important to halftone printing since the image is transferred from plate to rubber blanket to paper-not direct from plate to paper as in letterpress. The rubber blanket tends to cushion the image onto the paper when transfer is made.Keep in mind that when printing by letterpress where halftones are being used the paper grade is the determining factor for the halftone screen.

Offset printing, on the other hand, seems to defy most limitations. About the only thing coated stocks do for halftones is add lustre to the finished printed photo and add cost to the job because coated stock is more expensive. It also requires care in printing because varnishes and driers must be added to inks to prevent offset from the weight of previously printed sheets as they come off the press. It usually takes longer to produce a color job on coated stock than on other finishes because of drying time.

One of the surest ways to save money on all your printing is to use standard size paper for all your jobs. Always check sizes with your printer before you plan your job. Each type of paper has its own sizes. Planning your job to use a size that cuts out of these standard sizes with a minimum of waste is advantageous. For example: 8 1/2xll" is a perfect size for Bond, Mimeo and Ledger. It is also the most common size for office use and filing. Even printing presses are designed to accomodate this standard size.

Watch the weight of the stock you will be using for that printed piece. Have a dummy from the actual stock made up by the printer and check it out for mailing weight. Remember when mailing first class that the next ounce of postage can cost you an extra stamp or double your mailing cost. There are many good papers that have the opacity you need, yet, are lightweight.

On jobs requiring folding on heavy stocks such as cover paper and cardboard always be certain the grain is the right way for folding (it should be the same as the fold if possible). For example, if the job is run on 9x12" stock and folded in thirds to approximately 4x9" then the grain should be the 9" way. The reason for this is that if the grain is not with the fold you'll find yourself paying for an extra bindery or press operation-the cost of scoring the stock before folding.

Quality digital Printing Service London including brochures and leaflets