Abstract
In this paper, recent trends in new printing paper products are introduced, and the properties and printability of several selected paper products are described. This includes the various bulky papers that have been developed as wood-free book paper, light-weight coated paper and wood-containing paper. High quality and environmentally friendly A2-sized papers are also discussed, along with recent trends in printing technology such as energy-saving UV printing, rapid drying printing, monitor-proofing, offset printing for soft packaging, and so on. As poor ink coverage can occur with bulky paper when printing conditions for general paper are applied, a suitable rubber blanket for rough paper needs to be used. With energy-saving UV printing, although print mottle is rarely expected to occur, there is a need to control the white dots that can easily form under the low temperatures involved. It is also difficult to remove the UV-ink layer from recycled pulps, and so there is a need to develop comprehensive measures to address this. As for rapid drying printing, piling can potentially occur on the non-image areas of the rubber blanket depending on the paper blend. It is believed that the future of paper will require continuous measures to be enacted to address the environment issues related to paper manufacture. When compared with electronic devices, paper is better suited to intellectual works and gentler on human eyes, and so we should strive to make the most of these strong points.
