Coated Paper Adds Appeal To Magazine Readers

Tailored for heatset web offset printing, M-real's new Galerie Silk coated magazine paper is claimed to differentiate publications with a paper that gives a fresh and natural appearance.

To be introduced in January 2008, Galerie Silk is claimed by M-real to provide stiffness and high bulk and has tactile properties that will appeal to magazine readers.

The company added that Galerie Silk has high brightness, opacity and a smooth surface that reproduces demanding images.

The paper is also said to provide contrast between the glossy printed and the unprinted areas for text readability and good lift on printed images.

It is also claimed that cost savings can be realised through the yield advantages of Galerie Silk.

It combines bulk with opacity, allowing customers to choose lighter basis weights without compromising on visual and tactile properties.

Publications using Galerie Silk will have a thick, voluminous feel but without an increase in weight.

The uses for Galerie Silk include heatset web offset printing jobs, such as catalogues, magazines, customer magazines, inserts and leaflets.

It is available in reels, in a range of basis weights from 65gsm - 90gsm and it is the latest addition to M-real's Galerie range of coated magazine papers.

M-real believes it has identified a trend in the demand for silk papers resulting from demographic factors that include, for example readers in more mature age groups that appreciate silk paper for its readability, as well as its qualities.

The company added that such papers also allow differentiation, whilst being perceived as natural and consumer friendly.

In addition, the character and impression created by silk coated papers have been studied in M-real's continuing research programme in to readers' perceptions.

According to the company, readers commented that publications using silk paper were pleasant to handle, more readable and elegant in appearance.

Galerie Silk is produced at M-real's Kangas Mill in Finland, which has a paper machine dedicated to producing silk publishing paper.

Due to increasing demand, that machine will produce only Galerie Silk from 2008 onwards.

John Clinton, senior vice president of sales and marketing at M-real Graphic Papers, commented: "This allows us to provide high quality consistency and a good delivery service.

As we concentrate on fewer grades, our production cycles are faster and we can offer better flexibility and shorter lead times to customers." He said that first trials have been delivered and the resulting feedback will help fine-tune the product's properties.

Orders for Galerie Silk, or for larger trials, can be placed after its full scale launch in mid-January 2008.

M-real's Kangas Mill holds ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification, is certified according to EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) and holds PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) chain of custody accreditation that verifies the origin of its wood materials.

Back to top