Offset printing

Transparent papers have practically no absorption qualities. For this reason, printing should be carried out using inks (foil inks) that dry purely by oxidation. Deploy lower damping (pH 5–5.3) and print in small stacks.

In the case of reduced trapping, a trapping stripe as broad as possible also needs to be printed. This reduces the danger of excessive emulsifying of damping water in the printing ink.

To avoid set-off, powder spraying should be carried out. This must take place in accordance with the ink film and stack height (please refer to the manufacturer's recommended grain size).

In the case of increased ink thickness when printing solid areas (> 100%), and in the case of two-sided printing, fatty exudations may result leading to imperfect trapping. UV drying is recommended in such cases. This will also avoid set-off. Due to the inevitable build up of heat during UV drying, the paper should be stored flat. Second generation UV emitters featuring heat filters are especially recommended. 

During IR drying, curling and/or warping may occur due to the build up of heat. 

Inkjet/Laser Printing

ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral are suitable for printing using laser and inkjet printers. Due to the wide variety of printers available, we recommend that you refer to the manufacturer's specifications, particularly with regard to permitted paper weights. We also recommend that tests specific to the application be carried out.

Cutting

To avoid damage to blades due to paper density and hardness, the use of a slightly blunted hard alloy blade with a 26° ground angle and bevel, as well as a 5 cm stack thickness, is recommended.

Climate

Transparent papers are particularly sensitive to climatic conditions. For this reason, particular attention should be paid to the relative humidity and temperature in the printing room (ca. 20°C/50% relative humidity). To ensure faultless print finishing, we recommend water vapour-proof, print-stack packaging immediately after printing.

Pre-print

ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral are also suitable for pre-print applications. Please read the points on Climate, Inkjet/Laser Printing and Hot Foil Blocking in reference to this.

Combination with other Paper Types

The paper has a relative moisture content of 50%. Since transparent paper is particularly sensitive to moisture, it is important to ensure that the moisture content of the papers to be combined also comprises 50%, otherwise the transparent paper will become deformed over a period of time.

Processing/Finishing

• Blind Embossing
  In general, ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral are both suitable for blind embossing but may develop a milky discolouration. This discolouration could prove to be an attractive advantage, depending on the printed results to be achieved. Test embossing is recommended.

• Creasing/Folding
  The line of the crease or fold should preferably follow the paper grain. Transparent paper above 150 g/m² tends to break in the fold; therefore a double score at the back is recommended (a score or fold-line parallel to the paper grain is obligatory).
  If the moisture content of the paper is too low, this will have the same effect, so please ensure the paper does not become too dry.
  When folding, a faintly milky edge will occur due to paper compression.

• Die-Cutting/Boring/Punching
  ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral are well-suited for die-cutting, boring, punching and laser die-cutting. During laser processing, a fine, hardly noticeable, brown edge forms around the edges on the reverse of the paper.

• Hot Foil Blocking
  Very attractive results can be achieved using this technique with ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral. Because transparent paper is not easily compressible, foil contact must be exact. We recommend an extremely solid material for the back pressure. Extremely dry foils are best suited together with a standard adhesive (finishing should take place in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations).
  Foil blocking is not particularly suitable for laser processing. Tests are recommended.

• Overprint Varnishing
  A very attractive finish can be achieved with gloss varnish on matt paper surfaces. Since ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral are not absorbent, we recommend varnishing using water-based or UV varnish. To receive an initial visual impression, proofs using overprint varnish are recommended.

• Binding/Gluing
  ZANDERS T 2000 and ZANDERS Spectral can be used in conjunction with all known binding techniques. In the case of perfect binding, please ensure that the grain direction runs parallel to the adhesive binding, particularly when dispersion adhesives containing water are used. These types of adhesive often cause warping in transparent paper. For this reason, we recommend the use of adhesives containing little or no water such as HOT melt or PUR. For the best results, carry out test bindings on dummies.