Coated paper market and the fluctuating paper industry
Coated papers provide crisp, sharp results in sharp contrast with a smooth, slick look between the printed image and white space. A coated surface gives excellent image canvas with fine detail, providing better contrast between the printed image and the white space (known as ink snap). These are often used in high-end product catalogs and magazines that need "glossy" or "shiny" optics. Coated vs. Uncoated Paper The main difference between coated and uncoated paper is how the paper is made. Coated papers have a coating (typically clay) on them, so they are "sealed." This limits the amount of ink that is absorbed into the paper, helping the ink to remain on top of the paper in a crisply formed dot. Uncoated papers are not coated and are therefore more porous. The ink soaks into the paper and appears smoother and warmer. Uncoated papers are classified by type: opaque, offset, text & cover. Coated papers are categorized in two ways: by t...