The Contribution of Newsprint on Offset Print Quality

The physical properties of 6 twin wire newsprints were compared to the visual ranking of a panel of technical experts. The properties of surface roughness, color, printing opacity and brightness did not directly explain the ranking of visual print quality. Print contrast, ink rub off, and show through were a significant predictor of visual ranking. The visual ranking was independent of fiber source and hemicellulose content but it was related to lignin content. In the majority of cases, the physical and optical properties of the two surfaces of a given newsprint were significantly different. Print contrast, rub off, and show through exhibited a two side difference.