What is Specialty Paper?

Introduction

Did you know that beer labels, tags, food packaging, and even straws can be made from paper? You might be surprised to learn that paper can serve such unique purposes. But these aren't just regular papers—they are specialty papers. So, what exactly is specialty paper? If you're curious, keep reading! I'll explain what specialty paper is and introduce the different types of it!

Specialty Paper Definition

Specialty paper isn't just one type of paper—it's a broad term used to describe a variety of papers. These papers are typically specially processed to serve unique purposes, and they tend to be produced in smaller quantities compared to regular paper. Specialty papers are designed to meet specific needs and have qualities that regular paper doesn't have, which is why they are called "specialty paper."

Types of Specialty Paper

Wet Strength Paper

Wet strength paper is made to maintain strength even when wet. This is achieved by adding wet strength agents to the paper. Wet strength paper is commonly used for beer bottle labels because it can withstand moisture or water vapor without getting damaged, ensuring that the text remains legible.

Self Adhesive Sticker Paper

Also known as pressure-sensitive paper, self adhesive sticker paper consists of three layers: face paper, adhesive, and backing paper. The face paper can be made from various types of paper such as coated paper, woodfree paper, glassine paper, or thermal paper. The choice of face paper affects the paper's application. For example, coated paper is often used for product labels like medicine, food, and electronics, while woodfree paper is used for information labels and barcode printing. Thermal paper is ideal for price tags and labels that require writing.

The adhesive used in self adhesive sticker paper can be either water-based or hot-melt. The main difference between the two is that water-based adhesives create labels that are strong yet can be removed without leaving residue, while hot-melt adhesives tend to cause damage when peeled off.

The backing paper (also known as release liner) protects the adhesive from contamination and ensures the label can be easily peeled away when needed. Common backing papers include glassine and release paper, and you can choose the one that fits your needs.

Glassine Paper

Glassine paper is a semi-transparent, smooth paper treated with a special coating. It's flexible and has excellent release properties, which makes it easy to peel off labels. It's often used as the backing paper in self-adhesive labels.

Silicone Paper

Silicone paper is commonly used in the food industry, especially for products like air fryer liners or baking paper. The secret to silicone paper's heat resistance lies in its three-layer structure: a base paper, a solvent layer, and a coating of silicone oil. This coating makes the paper non-flammable, insulating, and corrosion-resistant, which is why it can be used safely at high temperatures.

Bible Paper

Bible paper is thin yet strong paper used to print religious texts like the Bible. Regular paper would make these books too thick and hard to carry or read. Bible paper is lightweight but durable, and it's made with titanium dioxide to prevent transparency, making it perfect for easy reading.

MG Paper

As the name suggests, mg paper is paper coated with a thin layer of metal, such as aluminum or copper. This is usually done by bonding metal foils to the paper using resin or a vacuum metallizing process. mg paper shines on one side while the other side remains a regular paper. You may recognize aluminum foil as a type of mg paper, which is also used in art and creative works due to its shiny appearance.

Greaseproof Paper

Greaseproof Paper is made from bleached, semi-bleached, or unbleached paper and treated to have a low air permeability and smooth texture. This makes it ideal for packaging greasy foods like bread, cookies, and other oily products.

Straw Paper

Straw paper is a type of specialty paper used to make straws. It consists of three layers: a base paper, a middle layer, and a top layer, all bonded together with latex adhesive. Each layer serves a specific purpose: the top layer provides decoration and a smooth surface, while the middle and bottom layers give the straw its structural support. Because of its eco-friendliness and food safety properties, straw paper is widely used for creating biodegradable straws.

Conclusion

As you can see, specialty papers have some pretty amazing uses in everyday life! Hopefully, by reading about these different types of specialty paper, you've gained a better understanding of how versatile and unique these materials can be. If you're looking to purchase specialty paper or any other types of paper, feel free to contact Golden Paper. Our advanced papermaking technology ensures we can meet all your paper needs!