Offset paper

Offset paper can be printed on again or written on very well after the initial printing process. This makes it particularly suitable for the inner pages of notebooks, writing pads, letterheads, forms, and other printed materials that are intended for everyday use. Offset paper is available in different grammages. A common standard is 80 gsm, while 120 gsm offers a noticeably sturdier and more premium feel.

Offset paper is an uncoated paper that is usually bright white and has a slightly rough, open surface. This surface absorbs ink well and provides excellent writability with pens, pencils, ballpoint pens, and many markers. Text appears clear and sharp on offset paper, while image reproduction is usually less brilliant than on coated papers. For this reason, offset paper is mainly used when readability, functionality, and the ability to write or print on the paper again are more important than high-gloss image quality.

Because of its reliable running properties, offset paper is also commonly used for letterheads and business stationery. It is generally well suited for laser and inkjet printers, making it a practical choice for materials that are printed professionally first and later personalized or completed in the office.

Production of the raw material

The raw materials used for offset paper mainly consist of cellulose pulp or mechanical wood pulp, depending on the desired paper quality and composition. Mechanical wood pulp is a cost-effective raw material with relatively short fibers and is often obtained from spruce or fir. Cellulose pulp, on the other hand, is produced from processed hardwood and softwood and is valued for its strength, brightness, and durability.

For mechanical wood pulp, freshly cut wood is ground with the help of a grindstone and water until it becomes a fiber pulp. This process leaves a relatively high proportion of lignin in the material. Lignin is a natural component of wood that can influence the aging behavior and color stability of the paper. In cellulose production, most of the lignin is removed from the fiber material through a chemical process. The resulting fibers are then mixed with water, additives, and pigments to create a fiber suspension suitable for papermaking.

Manufacturing process

The industrial production of offset paper follows the same basic principles as traditional papermaking: forming the fiber suspension into a sheet, pressing, drying, sizing, and smoothing. During these steps, the structure, surface, and performance of the paper are carefully controlled.

Sizing is an important part of the process because it influences how strongly the paper absorbs liquids. A well-sized offset paper allows ink to sit cleanly on the surface without spreading too much, while still remaining easy to write on. The smoothing process improves the surface evenness and helps achieve the desired feel, printability, and appearance.

Depending on the intended application, various properties of offset paper can be adjusted during production. These include strength, wet resistance, absorbency, opacity, whiteness, smoothness, and overall surface quality. This makes offset paper a versatile material for many printed products where a natural feel, good readability, and reliable usability are required.