Digital BW, The Print

Diana

That's helpful.  I really do believe that paper manufacturers, especially
those younger, newer firms looking to take business away from the big firms,
will benefit from providing the consumer with greater insight into the
industry.  Frankly, the paper industry is way too "slippery" with many
identical products sold under different brands each purporting to be unique.
I would encourage you to provide as much information as you are allowed to
by your commercial contracts.  If you believe your products to be
essentially the same as those marketed under another brand then say so - you
can still compete on service (and price).  If they are not then tell as why
and how they aren't.  Certainly don't be afraid of providing too much
information.  This forum (and the Wide Format Forum) are well-versed in
matters technical and would appreciate the additional knowledge/clarity.
Even those who aren't able to understand any technical information or
clarification you choose to provide will take confidence in your approach,
your service and your openness.  That can only lead to more sales.

There are rules placed in forums - and etiquette - which govern the
behaviour of commercial organisations in the forum.  I would expect/hope
that these would not prevent an active, helpful, commercial entity providing
information on the products we use.  It is of course a fine line between
that and using the forum for marketing but I think a degree of common sense
will mean that the provision of information is not considered intrusive
advertising.  If anyone oversteps the mark then I am sure they will be
promptly reminded.

I would encourage you, Diana, and others in like positions to seek approval
for greater disclosure in relation to your own products.  I would also
encourage you to provide more general information on the substrate and
coating industry - who the key players are, who's at the leading edge in
terms of coating or infusion technology development etc etc.

Happy holidays

Steve


> From: Diana York~Hawk Mtn Papers <diana@...>
> Organization: Hawk Mtn Papers
> Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:15:48 -0500
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [Digital BW] QC of Hawk Mountain Papers?
> 
> Converting:
> We get mill rolls of paper from the coating facility that are various widths
> and usually 40" outer diameter. We then either convert them into short rolls
> of widths from 13" to 44" or cut them into sheet sizes from 4"x6" to 35"x47".
> We owned a paper converting business in Holyoke MA before we started Hawk
> Mountain Papers
> Our requirements:
> We work with representatives from the paper mill to get the best mix to work
> as a base for a coated inkjet paper. We supply the specs we need such as fiber
> length, type, caliper, GSM, brightness, smoothness, opacity, cleanliness.
> Different cotton fiber lengths give different characteristics to the base
> paper. So to answer your question - we supply the recipe to the mill. The
> mills we work with make many different paper products - inkjet paper base is a
> very, very small part of their business.
> Coatings:
> Both. We have worked with chemists to develop our own coating formulations
> (from scratch - purchasing all the chemicals individually and having the
> coating mixed for us) and we have purchased premixed coatings to which we have
> added additional ingredients. The coating is then applied to the base paper.
> Who does our production:
> Paper mills - If I told you, I'd have to kill you <G>. They are in the USA.
> Coating facility - same thing (we rent time on a coating machine). Converting
> and packaging - we do in our facility in Shoemakersville PA.
> While I couldn't be completely clear in answering all your questions, I hope I
> did help.
>