Hot Paper News - North American

ExcelOne™ & ExcelOne™ Snap-Set

August 20, 2010 -- Glatfelter -- One Carbonless. Digital & Offset. ExcelOne™ Carbonless is GUARANTEED to run on all of your forms equipment. Whether you have an offset press, a high-speed copier, a digital duplicator or an inkjet copier, ExcelOne™ is the choice for you. Our product engineers have spent 2 years developing a sheet that provides both the unparalleled runnability you’ve come to expect from Glatfelter’s offset paper Excel® plus the contamination-free digital performance of Xcelerator® PLUS. ExcelOne™ performance is reliable and consistent thanks to our high fiber content. Each sheet we make contains high fiber content and less fillers, allowing us to provide this multi-purpose carbonless sheet WITHOUT having to raise basis weight. You can count on ExcelOne™ for consistent basis weight and excellent runnability sheet to sheet. Looking for samples or more information, email: excelone@glatfelter.com with your request.

NEWPAGE ANNOUNCES ENHANCEMENTS TO ITS NO. 4 COATED PAPER OFFERING

March 15, 2010 -- NewPage Corporation -- Escanaba And Dependoweb Now Have A Brighter, Whiter Shade; Capri Is Reintroduced MIAMISBURG, Ohio – February 25, 2010 – NewPage Corporation announced today a significant upgrade in the appearance of its No. 4 coated groundwood paper brands, Escanaba® and Dependoweb®, effective immediately. In addition, NewPage is reintroducing its Capri® line of No. 4.5 coated groundwood papers to augment a comprehensive selection of papers designed for magazine, catalog and retail customers. The Escanaba® brand has always provided a premium printing surface when compared to other coated groundwood products. Now the brand offers a higher brightness and pleasing blue-white shade to match its unparalleled print performance. “Escanaba® is a highly regarded, premium coated paper for the magazine, catalog and commercial printing industries. This improvement further solidifies its reputation,” said Lee Bendtsen, general manager, medium weight web products. In addition to the Escanaba® product improvements, Dependoweb® also has been enhanced to maintain its position as a reliable and competitive No. 4 coated groundwood paper. With a brighter, cleaner white shade, Dependoweb® reproduces images accurately for every type of end use application. For those customers looking to differentiate their publications while maintaining their budgets, NewPage is pleased announce the return of the Capri® brand of coated groundwood papers. Capri® is an ideal choice for catalogers, magazine publishers and retailers because it provides a 76 brightness for great appearance, a choice of gloss or silk finishes and a wide range of basis weights. “We have listened to our customers and their need for more choices in the coated groundwood category. Whether they are looking for a premium printing surface or a cost saving solution, NewPage has the right paper for their job,” added Bendtsen. About NewPage Corporation Headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio, NewPage Corporation is the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America, based on production capacity, with $3.1 billion in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2009. The company’s product portfolio is the broadest in North America and includes coated freesheet, coated groundwood, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers. These papers are used for corporate collateral, commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, books, coupons, inserts, newspapers, packaging applications and direct mail advertising. NewPage owns paper mills in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nova Scotia, Canada. These mills have a total annual production capacity of approximately 4.4 million tons of paper, including approximately 3.2 million tons of coated paper, approximately 1.0 million tons of uncoated paper and approximately 200,000 tons of specialty paper. To learn more, visit www.NewPageCorp.com

GPA UNVEILS NEW FLEXBIND® PHOTO PAGE PRODUCTS

September 25, 2009 -- GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions -- GPA is pleased to announce the latest additions to their line of Ultra Digital® Layflat Photo Pages with FlexBind® Technology. The FlexBind® hinge allows bound books to lie completely flat by transferring the stress normally placed on binding to the laminated hinge on each page, enabling photo spreads to flow smoothly from one page to the next for dramatic visual presentations. These four new products allow even greater creative freedom and versatility for a wide array of seamless photo book applications, taking FlexBind’s® capabilities to the next level. 100# White Matte Cover with Black Gap - Has a black strip pre-printed into the film gap that virtually eliminates show through from page to page in a finished book. The black gap prevents tripping of the sensors on varying press models, making it cross platform compatible. It makes exceptional albums, professional photo books, presentations and calendars. 100# White Matte Cover with White Gap - Has a white strip pre-printed into the film gap that virtually eliminates show through from page to page in a finished book. The white gap prevents tripping of the sensors on varying press models, making it cross platform compatible. Good with all applications listed above for Black Gap FlexBind®; offers an alternative aesthetic. 80# White Felt Cover - Offers a unique textured surface that creates a high-end stylized effect. Great for fine art books, architectural renderings, annual reports and historical record reproductions. 100# Landscape - Facilitates dramatic spreads that maximize the layflat capabilities. The white gap prevents tripping of the sensors on varying press models, making it cross platform compatible. It is excellent for showcasing landscape photography, panoramic photos, automobile books, high-end real estate spreads, interior design displays and corporate capabilities campaigns. These premium papers are elemental chlorine free, recyclable and metal free. They offer unparalleled ink holdout, superior image reproduction and are acid free for long-term archival performance. Like all FlexBind® products, finishing is easy since they are compatible with a variety of bookbinding methods, such as side sewn, side stitched, Unibind®, FastBind®, ExactBind®, ChannelBind®, perfect binding and Powis ParkerTM. For more information on the latest Ultra Digital® Layflat Photo Pages with FlexBind® technology, samples, or to request a copy of GPA's Ultra Digital® catalog, contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000 or e-mail GPA at info@askgpa.com.

GPA INTRODUCES ULTRA DIGITAL® C1S & C2S BOARD PAPERS

September 25, 2009 -- GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions -- GPA is pleased to introduce their new collection of Ultra Digital® C1S and C2S Board Papers. The unparalleled variety of board papers is creating new marketing opportunities for digital printers across the country. Digital printers are finally enjoying the same flexibility as offset printers when printing on heavy stock, but have the added advantage of producing short runs with variable text and images. Ultra Digital® C1S and C2S Board Papers are GPA’s answer to a wide variety of demanding applications including: annual reports, post cards, greeting cards, invitations, calendars, direct mail pieces, menus, brochures, retail promotional tags, business cards, trading and game cards, book covers, folding cartons, posters, book marks, point-of-purchase displays, specialty promotional items and beyond. Their excellent printing properties give brand owners the freedom to express a brand’s individuality and attract the customer’s attention. GPA’s collection of board papers are available in a wide variety of basis weights and finishes in 18” x 12” and 19” x 13” sheet sizes, and are optimized and RIT certified for HP Indigo digital presses. Their 93 brightness and uniform surface provide the ideal backdrop for vivid colors, beautiful contrast and sharp image reproduction. These papers offer a superior converting performance for a variety of finishing processes including: laminating, UV coating, die cutting, scoring, folding, gluing, embossing, debossing and foil stamping. Due to its layered structure and mix of short and long fibers, it can be folded in either direction without cracking, also allowing for deeper impressions when embossing or debossing. And since Ultra Digital® Board Papers are made with virgin fibers, they offer maximum stiffness with relatively low weight. GPA’s Ultra Digital® portfolio contains a blend of substrates to fit a wide range of results-driven applications. For samples, more information on Ultra Digital® C1S and C2S Board Papers, or to request a copy of GPA's Ultra Digital® catalog, contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000 or e-mail GPA at info@askgpa.com. GPA is a Preferred Partner of HP Indigo, a Platinum Partner of Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative), a Sponsoring Vendor of DICE (Digital Imaging Customer Exchange) and a Member of PODi (the Digital Printing Initiative).

GPA ANNOUNCES ULTRA DIGITAL® FILMS WITH EXTREVA®

September 25, 2009 -- GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions -- GPA is pleased to announce that their line of Ultra Digital® Films are now enhanced with the HP certified Extreva® CS3 coating. Extreva® is the most advanced film coating for HP Indigo digital presses available on the market today. Extreva’s® multi-layer system is designed to enhance all aspects of printing on film, offering unparalleled performance and printability with exceptional ink adhesion. The proprietary surface chemistry helps reduce static buildup, soak up excess oil, and repel incidental contamination, such as fingerprints, dust and offsetting inks. Other benefits of Extrava® include absolute sheet flatness and consistent color reproduction from sheet to sheet, and lot to lot. The end result is fewer torn blankets and faster drying time that translates to less downtime and increased productivity. The coating is also non-yellowing with an unprinted shelf life of two years and an unlimited printed shelf life. GPA is proud to be the exclusive distributor for Extreva® coated films in the United States after entering a strategic partnership with Utopia Digital Technologies. The result of this new partnership is an exchange of products and knowledge that give customers the competitive advantage. GPA’s exclusive partnership with Utopia drives the focus towards offering a world-class product and ensuring that the latest technologies are readily available. GPA is committed to bringing new and innovative solutions to the marketplace every day. For more information on films treated with Extreva®, samples, or to request a copy of GPA's Ultra Digital® catalog, visit www.askgpa.com or contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000.

GPA INTRODUCES 100% RECYCLED PAPERS FOR INDIGO

September 25, 2009 -- GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions -- GPA proudly announces their new line of eco-friendly digital paper: Ultra Digital® Green 100% Recycled Papers for HP Indigo presses. These FSC certified papers are GPA’s answer to the growing demand for eco-conscious options in the printing industry. Made from 100% post-consumer waste fibers, Ultra Digital® Green 100% Recycled Papers are Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF), Process Chlorine-Free (PCF), acid-free, lignin-free and archival. Ultra Digital® Green papers are excellent for a variety of applications, including annual reports, invitations, brochures, packaging, clothing hang tags, greeting cards, direct mail pieces and postcards. They are compatible with a wide variety of finishing processes, including folding, embossing, debossing, die cutting and foil stamping, making them one of the most versatile 100% recycled sheets available on the market today. These earth-friendly uncoated papers are available in 80# and 100# text and cover weights in 12 x 18, 12 ½ x 18 ½, and 13 x 19 sheet sizes. Like the rest of the Ultra Digital family of products, they are engineered to perform flawlessly on HP Indigo digital presses. Their smooth finish and 92 brightness create crisp results and exceptional image quality. By reusing resources through paper recycling, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, natural resources are conserved, landfill space is saved, and water and energy consumption are reduced. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling one ton of paper would save enough energy to power the average American home for six months, 7,000 gallons of water, and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. It would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent (MTCE). To request sample of Ultra Digital® Green 100% Recycled Papers, a copy of GPA's Ultra Digital® catalog or for more information, contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000 or e-mail GPA at info@askgpa.com. GPA is a Preferred Partner of HP Indigo, a Platinum Partner of Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative), and a Member of PODi (the Digital Printing Initiative).

West Linn Paper Company Announces SFI Certification

September 25, 2009 -- West Linn Paper Company -- West Linn Paper Company is pleased to announce that it has added SFI product certification to both the Capistrano® and Sonoma® #2 and #3 coated freesheet product lines. This new product offering has the same product qualities and specifications of our standard Capistrano and Sonoma grades but can be purchased with the option to include the use of SFI-certified pulp. Capistrano and Sonoma SFI-certified grades are tracked through the chain-of-custody process to ensure that the pulp is acquired from forests that are well-managed and meet the SFI program criteria. “West Linn Paper is committed to offering a full range of certified paper products. Complementing our Nature Web® and Nature Plus® FSC certified and recycled content products, we have extended the certification options for our virgin products to include SFI certification,” states Tom Gallagher, President of Sales & Marketing for West Linn Paper Company. “Providing customers with more options allows them choose which certification system works best for their project.” “Certified paper made with pulp from well managed forests is something that more and more customers are demanding,” explains Penny Machinski, Environmental Manager for West Linn Paper Company. “Pulp suppliers have increased the availability of both FSC and SFI certified pulp which, in turn, allows us to offer more options with our certified paper products.” The Capistrano and Sonoma SFI-certified products will be available in gloss, matte and dull finishes in a wide range of text weights, along with 60# and 80# Cover and 7 pt. and 9 pt. reply card. West Linn Paper will continue to offer our Nature product lines – which include 10% to 30% post-consumer waste and FSC certification. FSC certification is also available on Sonoma products. About Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) SFI Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization, and is solely responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program (www.sfiprogram.org), which is internationally recognized and among the largest in the world. It is one of the fastest-growing forest certification programs with more than 70 million hectares (more than 175 million acres) of SFI-certified forests across North America. The SFI Standard also includes unique fiber sourcing requirements that promote responsible forest management on all suppliers’ lands and a chain-of-custody certification, which is used to tell buyers how much certified fiber is in a specific product. The SFI forest standard is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes, a global umbrella organization that has strict requirements for endorsement. SFI Inc. is governed by a three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social and economic sectors equally. About West Linn Paper Company West Linn Paper Company (www.westlinnpaper.com) is an independent manufacturer of coated free-sheet web paper and is the oldest active paper mill and the only coated free-sheet manufacturer in the western United States. The high-quality Sonoma® and Capistrano® brands are well-known and well-respected in the printing industry for their print quality and runnability. Sonoma and Capistrano are available with multiple forestry certification options. In addition, West Linn Paper’s Nature Web® and Nature Plus® lines deliver environmentally sustainable, FSC-certified recycled papers with 10% to 30% PCW content. West Linn Paper Company products are sold throughout North America and are used for high-end advertising materials, direct mail, magazines, catalogs and book publishing.

Mohawk Fine Papers has purchased the SMART Papers Uncoated WTC Brands

April 20, 2009 -- Mohawk Fine Papers Inc -- Cohoes, NY] – Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. today announced it has purchased the premium uncoated writing, text and cover brands from SMART Papers of Hamilton, Ohio. The purchase includes the Carnival, Passport, Genesis, Synergy, Pegasus, Magna Carta, Solutions, Feltweave, Nekoosa, Proterra, Skytone, and SMART Brights brands and will make Mohawk the largest supplier of premium papers in North America. Mohawk will also become the exclusive marketer of SMART’s premium cast and matte coated papers to traditional paper distribution companies and graphic designers worldwide. The companies are working together to smoothly transition manufacturing and sales of all uncoated products within the next 30 days. SMART Papers will continue to manufacture Kromekote and Knightkote brands in its Hamilton, Ohio facility and will also continue to sell to strategic accounts worldwide including specialty converters, OEMs, label manufacturers, laminators, gift and box wrap printers, and greeting card companies. According to Thomas D. O’Connor, Mohawk Chairman and CEO, “Mohawk’s acquisition of the SMART Papers franchise is a strategic opportunity for Mohawk and its merchant customers. We are committed to developing the writing, text and cover franchise and expanding on SMART’s strong commitment to the digital market. These opportunities, coupled with such legendary brands as Kromekote, Carnival, and Nekoosa will allow us to offer the strongest premium paper franchise in the world. In addition, because of efficiencies gained over the past decade, we will quickly incorporate these tons into our system and continue to provide world-class quality and customer service.” “I agree that today’s news positively changes the business model and the marketplace for premium printing papers in North America,” said Tim Needham, chairman of SMART Papers. “Mohawk is well respected as a world-class sales and marketing organization to the global paper merchant community for premium papers. They can now bring an unmatched offering of premium coated and uncoated papers to their strong and loyal customer base.”

GPA ANNOUNCES NEW SPECIALTY APPLICATION SUBSTRATES

January 21, 2009 -- GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions -- GPA is proud to introduce the latest addition to their Ultra Digital® product line: Specialty Application Substrates. GPA’s Specialty Application Substrates consist of pre-converted Door Hangers, Table Tents and Pocket Presentation folders that are ideal for a variety of applications. All three items are produced on 10 pt. Kromekote Plus® White Gloss Cover in a 12” x 18” sheet size and are engineered for optimal ink adhesion. They also bear RIT certification, which guarantees flawless performance on HP Indigo digital presses. The Door Hanger is formatted as a 4-up sheet, the Table Tent comes 2-up with individual bases and the Pocket Presentation Folder is a 1-up sheet with two separate pockets. All three Specialty Application Substrates are pre-converted for easy finishing. Built-in perforations, glue strips and scores mean easy post-press assembly, fast turnaround and no hassles. They are excellent for short-run, personalized marketing using variable text and images on HP Indigo digital presses. The Door Hanger only requires guillotine cutting, and they are ready for unsurpassed leave-behind promotions, sales promotions, parking passes and more. To finish the Table Tent, guillotine cut, apply the base and it is the ultimate P.O.P. promotion, informational display or sale promotion. The Pocket Presentation Folder simply requires the application of the adhesive pockets and they are ready for exceptional personalized promotions, welcome packs, press kits and beyond. This collection of simple and effective marketing tools allows you to produce leave-behind promotions that will get your message noticed. Design possibilities are endless for these versatile substrates that provide maximum visibility. GPA’s Ultra Digital® portfolio contains a blend of Specialty Application Substrates to fit a wide range of results-driven applications. For more information on GPA’s New Ultra Digital® Specialty Application Substrates or to request a copy of GPA's Product Catalog, contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000, or e-mail GPA at info@askgpa.com.

GPA UNVEILS NEW PHOTO SPECIALTY PAPERS

January 21, 2009 -- GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions -- GPA is pleased to announce the newest addition to their Ultra Digital® line of specialty digital substrates: Layflat Photo Pages with FlexBind® Technology. This new product allows bound books to lie completely flat, enabling photo spreads to flow smoothly from one page to the next for dramatic visual presentations. Until now, images in bound books were limited by the binding gutter’s crease. Ultra Digital® Layflat Photo Pages with FlexBind® Technology feature an exclusive laminated hinge that eliminates this constraint. The stress normally placed on the binding is instead distributed to the laminated hinge on each page. The result is a unique product that offers a solution to the restrictions of traditional binding. Ultra Digital® Layflat Photo Pages with FlexBind® Technology are available in 65#, 80# and 110# white matte cover, and #110 ICE Pearl shimmering pearlescent cover paper. These premium papers are elemental chlorine free, recyclable and metal free. They also bear RIT certification, which means they’re guaranteed to run trouble-free on HP Indigo digital presses. They offer unparalleled ink holdout, superior image reproduction and are acid free for long-term archival performance. This new technology opens doors to an endless list of applications, including menus, professional photo books, albums, presentations and calendars. Finishing is easy since they are compatible with a variety of bookbinding methods, such as side sewn, side stitched, Unibind®, FastBind®, ExactBind®, ChannelBind®, perfect binding and Powis ParkerTM. For more information on Ultra Digital® Layflat Photo Pages with FlexBind® technology, or to request a copy of GPA's Ultra Digital® catalog, contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000 or e-mail GPA at info@askgpa.com.