Some paper grades within the graphical papers are more commonly used for printing magazines than others. The paper grade is chosen for its ability to convey information in detail, but also for its technical properties and tactile feel. Within the paper grade you compare papers with different weights to find the paper with the optimal print result.
Coated versus uncoated papers
Traditionally, coated papers have been the most commonly used when printing magazines. Coated papers have got a matte or glossy, shiny surface which also reduce the ink absorbancy. Various materials can be used for coating, but one of the most well-known is kaolinite, also called china clay.
Uncoated papers have attracted more interest in the magazine segment over the last ten years. They are often chosen for tactile reasons, providing a natural feeling and great readability. The surface of the papers can be more or less smooth and glossy depending on the machining process, where calendering or super-calendering may be used. Uncoated fresh-fibre papers are often porous, which enables a thicker paper than a coated paper of the same weight. Thereby you can go for a lower grammage.
LWU papers - low weight uncoated papers
Light-weight uncoated papers, LWU-papers, use the porosity, their bulky properties, to their advantage. With their lower weight, distribution of the magazine will cost less, and the transports may affect the environment less. It's not just the question of a lower total cost, many publishers and printers choose these papers for their haptics and for sustainability reasons. A lighter paper costs less for the environment, too.
When choosing a light-weight uncoated paper for your magazine, examine the quality of a printed sample and make sure the image reproduction is to your liking. The brightness of the paper helps ensuring the contrast and a smooth and even quality is important for conveying detail.
Holmen EPIC, Holmen TRND and Holmen VIEW are three papers which are light-weight and high-quality, well worth the time to check out. They are all well suited for heatset (HWSO), coldset (CWSO), digital and waterless printing, and Holmen TRND is also a perfect choice for sheet printing.
SC-papers - super-calendered papers
The super-calendered papers, SC-papers, are thinner and more glossy than most other paper grades. They convey images and details better than one might expect, especially when you choose a paper which has sufficient brightness and opacity. In supercalendering, the paper passes through stacks of hot rollers, where friction and pressure generates a very smooth and uniform surface.
Our most well-known SC-paper is Holmen UNIQ. The paper is well suited for heatset web offset printing (HSWO) and rotogravure printing (RG).
The new generation of magazine papers
High-end magazines today tend to make bolder paper choices. They differentiate themselves from the formerly very glossy market by choosing papers with more attitude. They use the paper to promote a feeling, and many readers like it more when the paper surface is somewhat more raw and natural. Going for the environmentally conscious alternatives will always be relevant.
Read more about the recent trends regarding the choice of paper.
