Bulky card stock is relatively harder and more flexible compared to products like coated paper, offset paper, and gray back whiteboard paper, with superior tensile strength. We can say it's more stubborn and harder, so there are some issues to be mindful of during the printing process:
Structurally speaking, compared to kraft paper, coated paper is a two-sided coated material, with a smoother surface, including the gray back whiteboard paper, which is also very smooth. The smooth surface results in excellent printing quality and fine detail. Kraft paper has a long fiber or recycled fiber structure, which leads to a less even surface finish compared to coated paper, gray back whiteboard paper, and white card stock. Therefore, the printing standards for the surface of kraft paper cannot be compared to those of coated paper, white card stock, and gray back whiteboard paper, as they are lower.
To achieve excellent printing results, we might consider treating the surface of the kraft paper: If the ink level in the printed area is very high, it can be challenging to handle. However, it's generally not advisable to print large areas with high ink levels, as it would diminish the uniqueness of the kraft paper. Therefore, before printing on the cardstock, we can perform a pre-treatment. We can apply a transparent oil coating to the areas where the patterns and text will be printed. The purpose of this coating is to fill in any unevenness on the paper surface, ensuring a smooth finish. This makes the printing of text much better.
In addition to the printing effect, there's an issue with the rigidity of the kraft paper, which is quite hard. Some sheets cut from it aren't perfectly flat, leading to a challenge: how to fit the kraft paper into the printing machine without damaging it. This requires some preliminary processing: our kraft paper includes some high-weight varieties. It's recommended to moisten the kraft paper before printing to soften it appropriately, ensuring it meets printing requirements and avoids misalignment or machine damage.
