Analysis of the quality of reproduction on a graphic product with more positive environmental aspects

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing trend worldwide to replace traditional wood fibres as a raw material for paper production with non-wood fibres. By using alternative sources of cellulose fibres for paper production, such as cereal straw, deforestation is reduced, which is one of the positive environmental aspects of producing a of a graphic product with such a composition. Another positive environmental aspect of the graphic product produced in this way is the elimination of the bleaching process in paper production, which has a positive effect on reducing chemical pollution. In the paper manufacturing process, the paper used for printing usually goes through a bleaching process that reduces the yellowish tone of the paper and increases light emission, brightness and contrast. However, looking at the matter from a different perspective, especially for small-scale production, the process of paper whitening can also be done differently, namely by coating the paper with a white pigment. The aim of this research was to analyse whether it is possible to achieve the same reproduction quality with one or two layers of titanium dioxide on non-wood paper substrates as on commercially available standard paper type 7 according to ISO 12647. The reproduction quality was tested by analysing the reproduction of lines printed in different sizes using piezo inkjet technology. Double-coated samples achieved 2.6 % better results than single-coated samples. The result closest to the reference sample PS7 was obtained with a paper containing 10 % wheat straw and coated with two layers of titanium dioxide. The results obtained show that the proportion of wheat pulp does not lead to a deterioration in the quality of line reproduction in the prints.