Digital printing has improved dramatically over the past several years and the technology will continue to change and improve. Digital offset, color laser printers, color copiers, HP Indigo or Xeikon technology, inkjet printers, and even black and white laser printers and copiers, all now offer exceptional quality for various applications.

Choosing the right paper is no longer a simple task and there are too many variables involved to risk using just any paper. Paper selection is critical to the performance, productivity and profitability of your equipment.

Will the paper work properly in your equipment? Is it designed to handle the technology? Is it available in the finish your customer wants?  What about smoothness for reproduction quality of the sheet? Does it offer the contrast needed or the final output quality your customer expects?

Different Than Offset
These are just some of the questions that need to be answered when selecting the right paper. Stora Enso Digital Papers has addressed these issues by offering a full suite of both coated and uncoated papers designed specifically for technology and available in a variety of finishes and basis weights.

"Many customers think they can spec the same papers they use for offset printing," said Kandi Danielson, general manager of Docustar, a digital printer in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company prints black and white jobs on its Docutechs and direct mail pieces, flyers, and catalogs on its Indigo Ultrastream and Xerox Docucolor 2060 and Docucolor 400DI.

Digital Papers are not always available from paper suppliers in the sizes needed for their technology. "Stora Enso has been able to provide us with a paper that runs through all the different equipment we have," she said. "We've been happy because we can get all the sizes we need from them and we don’t have to worry about paper dust [from cutting the paper]," said Danielson.

Futura Laser
Futura Laser is an ultra-bright (95 brightness), coated paper with a patented coating design for optimum black and white and color results on dry toner copiers, laser printers and digital offset presses. It's available in text and cover, and gloss and dull finishes. Futura Laser offers an optimized surface and sheet stability for superior curl resistance and trouble-free, high-speed operation.

Futura Laser Digital Papers have just been certified for HP Indigo technology by the Rochester Institute of Technology. RIT recently conducted extensive tests, including adhesion and flake and print quality on Futura Laser utilizing Indigo technology. Both the gloss and dull finishes in 80lb and 100lb passed RIT's stringent press certification testing.

Brighter, Whiter and Smoother
"From our standpoint, better products may be available," said Dennis Essary, director of digital papers at Stora Enso, "but if customers don't go out looking or if they don’t ask their paper salesperson for other options, they may not see sheets (that) might be brighter, whiter, smoother, or coated now that weren't available for their equipment a year ago. They should take a look because they could deliver a better product to their customers at an equal or possibly lower cost."

"Our Futura Laser was available last year at an 87 brightness," said Essary. "We improved it to 95 brightness, made it blue white and maintained the pricing; so, consumers are getting something much more appealing to them and to their customers for the same price."

For more information on Stora Enso Digital Papers call 888-807-8672, visit www.storaenso.com/na or just drop them an email at marketing.sena@storaenso.com.