Digital BW, The Print

> It somehow seems to make sense that blending the inkjet coating
into
> the paper instead of simply coating it would produce a better
paper,
> but I would love to hear any theories and explanations as to
why.
> And also what the down side might be? Does the company making
this
> have a web-site? Is there any more info available beyond the
two-
> second sound bite we've been tossed so far?

Steve,

Usually a coating is applied after the papermaking. For high
quality offset paper it is quite common to apply a coating
afterwards to get  the best results. That can be done inline just
after the papermachine or on separate coating equipment. Coating
machines with blades, rods etc are used.

Schoellershammer (Germany) brought some inkjet coated papers on
the market about 18 months ago. They claimed that the paper was
coated in the paper pulp before actual papermaking and that it
had advantages. I've printed with Generations on that paper and
it doesn't give me the print  quality that the Hahnemuhle coating
has. The surface certainly will not flake as the bond of the
coating is much better than with an applied coating like
Hahnemuhle's. The surface is smoother. The paper more flexible.
Price lower.

Cost of coatings isn't in the material itself but the coating
process. If it can be done in the pulp making it is more
expensive in material but far cheaper in the process. That isn't
different with offset paper production.

Ernst