Analysis of optical properties of laboratory papers made from straw pulp and coated with titanium dioxide white ink

Abstract

Considering that optical properties play a very important role in the printing industry, this research focused on analysing the optical properties (opacity, whiteness, brightness and yellowness) of laboratory made papers from recycled wood pulp, with the addition of different straw contents, coated with titanium dioxide white ink. Titanium dioxide white ink was applied on laboratory papers to achieve optical characteristics as those of commercial papers recommended by ISO 12647. All the coated laboratory papers presented whiteness within the recommendations of the standard. Almost all the coated papers made with the addition of straw pulp achieved satisfactory optical properties, especially those containing 10% and 20% straw pulp. Coated laboratory papers containing 10% and 20% wheat pulp were comparable to commercial paper and reached a similar value of brightness, while their opacity and yellowness values were even better than those of commercial paper. In order to preserve the natural appearance of papers made with the addition of straw pulp, it is possible to conduct selective white printing as background for high-quality printing.