Sappi is bringing its unconventional Raw grade to the UK, but is keeping control of distribution in this country, for an initial period at least.
The paper establishes a new category of paper that is coated but which has the roughness, brightness and reflectance of a premium uncoated paper. This will make the paper more forgiving to print on than many uncoated and able to retain detail which can be lost as ink is absorbed into paper fibres. The coating on the paper prevents this absorption.
Raw is a European made paper and was released in central Europe earlier this year to a good reaction. Sappi reckons applications include illustrated trade books, luxury lifestyle catalogues and brochures and specialist magazines.
The company identifies travel, automotive, lifestyle, food, fashion and interior design or architecture. Each of these areas is picked out in the sample books that Sappi supplies.
The paper is available in sheets and reels from 115gsm to 300gsm and is suited to Indigo and dry toner printing. It is not qualified for inkjet printing, so users are advised to test first.
Sappi also recommends Fogra 51L settings in prepress, a maximum TAC of 300% and a light seal to protect the print surface. Brightness is 104% and CIE whiteness measures at 144. Bulk and opacity are inline with uncoated papers.
The key opportunity for Sappi is likely to be in colour book printing, a sector which is growing thanks to shorter runs and the move to return to European printing.
It will score in promotional material where the haptic effect of a rougher surface is popular. Head of marketing at Sappi Europe Conor Evers says: “We know that exciting the sense of touch as well as vision helps create deeper connections for consumers – a paper like this opens new doors and creates new possibilities for end users and our print partners alike.”
