The Evolution of Coated Paper

The technology of coating paper dates back to the era of Cai Lun during China's Han Dynasty, when mineral powders were applied to the paper surface to prevent ink from bleeding; this technique later spread to the Middle East and Europe, influencing Persian miniatures and Renaissance sketches. Prior to the Yuan Dynasty, coated paper was widely used for Chinese calligraphy and painting to achieve the aesthetic effect of ink "penetrating through to the back of the paper"; in Europe, the industrial evolution of coated paper led to the development of art paper (glossy coated paper).
Coated paper was used for endpapers in 19th-century publisher's cloth bindings; by the mid-18th century, it was frequently used for the covers of inexpensive novels sold at railway station kiosks.
The development of modern coated paper can be divided into three stages: the era up to 1960, dominated by high-end art paper; the period from 1960 to 1973, marked by rapid growth-driven by the demand for low-cost, high-quality printing-during which production volumes surpassed those of art paper and lightweight coated paper emerged; and the post-1974 period, which saw a slowdown in growth followed by a shift toward product diversification.
Research and development in coating technology at the paper research institute began in 1959; through technical innovations such as air-knife coating, blade coating, and curtain coating, the institute has driven the domestic development of art paper, lightweight coated paper, and various specialty coated papers.