Introduction to Coated Paper

Paper with a coating layer applied to the base sheet
Coated paper is produced by applying a layer of coating material (coating color) to a base sheet, thereby imparting desirable optical properties and printing performance. Its primary applications include paper for publications such as magazines and books, as well as paper for printing labels, packaging, and product catalogs; the ratio between these two categories is approximately 1:3. Major types of coated paper include art paper (also known as coated fine printing paper), lightweight coated paper, coated white cardstock, and coated white paperboard, alongside specialty coated papers such as cast-coated paper and thermal recording paper. The technology of paper coating has a long history, dating back to the Han Dynasty in China before spreading to the Middle East and Europe; modern research into coating technology began in the late 1950s, progressing through various stages of development from air-knife coating and blade coating to curtain coating. According to national standards, coated paper and paperboard categories include coated art paper, lightweight coated paper, coated white cardstock, and coated white paperboard; additionally, there are water-based coated papers designed for packaging applications.