A Choice to Make
July 2005
|
A converter needs to be armed with the right information to be able to make an educated decision when it comes to metallized papers and films.
CONVERTERS HAVE AS tough a job choosing the right product as consumers do in a crowded supermarket. Converters have to go in, no-holds-barred, armed with all the information they can possibly find. With checkbooks in hand, and information abounding, printers can make the best possible choice for both themselves and their customers. packagePRINTING has gathered information from some of the top metallized paper and metallized film suppliers to compare and contrast the two substrates to help converters make the best choice.
Paper: The good and the bad
To be a good choice, there are several criteria a product has to meet—the three "Cs" of the industry. It has to be convenient, cheap, and offer several color options. Metallized paper stacks up well in these categories, according to Don Berger, director, prime papers, Fasson Roll North America. According to Berger, the benefits of metallized paper label materials to the consumer product companies (CPCs) include:
• Attention grabbing, metallic appearance that is ideal for highly appealing point-of-sale and promotional applications;
• Projects a high-end, quality image;
• Several color options (typically silver and gold);
• Other benefits include recyclability and, because papers are not an oil-based product, they are less subject to the rising costs of oil.
So CPCs will reap the benefits from the use of metallized paper, but what benefits will the converter see? According to Jim McGivern, sales manager, Graphic Packaging International, "Depending on the end use, metallized paper can provide advantages in printing, embossing, diecutting, and recyclability," he said.
"High-quality base paper with custom holographic images, has proven to be the substrate of choice in such challenging applications as entertainment packaging, TV Guide covers, high-end labels, and a variety of other products in which exceptional visibility is necessary to insure marketing success," said McGivern. Now compare that to metallized films, and it seems that metallized papers push ahead of the competition. Well … maybe.
"As with many substrate choices, there may be trade-offs between cost and efficiency. When choosing between metallized paper and metallized film, it's important to assess the cost of the material in conjunction with differences in the costs of converting the product, i.e., type of printing, coating, cutting, etc.," said McGivern. Price may be a favorable consideration when choosing metallized paper, but don't be fooled, there are also some disadvantages to paper.
CONVERTERS HAVE AS tough a job choosing the right product as consumers do in a crowded supermarket. Converters have to go in, no-holds-barred, armed with all the information they can possibly find. With checkbooks in hand, and information abounding, printers can make the best possible choice for both themselves and their customers. packagePRINTING has gathered information from some of the top metallized paper and metallized film suppliers to compare and contrast the two substrates to help converters make the best choice.
Paper: The good and the bad
To be a good choice, there are several criteria a product has to meet—the three "Cs" of the industry. It has to be convenient, cheap, and offer several color options. Metallized paper stacks up well in these categories, according to Don Berger, director, prime papers, Fasson Roll North America. According to Berger, the benefits of metallized paper label materials to the consumer product companies (CPCs) include:
• Attention grabbing, metallic appearance that is ideal for highly appealing point-of-sale and promotional applications;
• Projects a high-end, quality image;
• Several color options (typically silver and gold);
• Other benefits include recyclability and, because papers are not an oil-based product, they are less subject to the rising costs of oil.
So CPCs will reap the benefits from the use of metallized paper, but what benefits will the converter see? According to Jim McGivern, sales manager, Graphic Packaging International, "Depending on the end use, metallized paper can provide advantages in printing, embossing, diecutting, and recyclability," he said.
"High-quality base paper with custom holographic images, has proven to be the substrate of choice in such challenging applications as entertainment packaging, TV Guide covers, high-end labels, and a variety of other products in which exceptional visibility is necessary to insure marketing success," said McGivern. Now compare that to metallized films, and it seems that metallized papers push ahead of the competition. Well … maybe.
"As with many substrate choices, there may be trade-offs between cost and efficiency. When choosing between metallized paper and metallized film, it's important to assess the cost of the material in conjunction with differences in the costs of converting the product, i.e., type of printing, coating, cutting, etc.," said McGivern. Price may be a favorable consideration when choosing metallized paper, but don't be fooled, there are also some disadvantages to paper.
Companies Mentioned:
 |
|
Chemistry for the Graphic Arts
What the Printer Should Know About Paper