Question:
How does the manufacturing of a paper stock affect digital printing press performance?

Answer:
The uniformity of the sheet is vital. The paper's characteristics should not change in relation to where on the paper machine the ream was physically located: cross web, down machine, lot to lot or ream to ream. Beyond uniformity, the actual structure of the paper, physical composition, smoothness and porosity of the surface are extremely important. And after the paper is manufactured, other important considerations include:

• how the paper is cut (i.e. the sharpness of the blades),

• thorough vacuuming to get rid of excess paper dust and fibers, and

• the packaging used to protect the sheets from changing climate conditions.

Steve Simpson, vice president, Document Supplies, Xerox Corporation, answered this question. For more information contact Cheryl Freer, Xerox Supplies Business Group, cheryl.freer@usa.xerox.com. To learn more about the full line of Xerox digitally optimized papers, substrates, and supplies visit: http://www.xerox.com/supplies .