Paperilaatujen

Paperilaatujen is a Finnish term that broadly denotes different types or grades of paper used in printing, packaging and specialty applications. Classification of paper types is typically based on fiber composition, grammage (weight per square metre), surface treatment, whiteness/brightness, opacity and caliper (thickness). These properties determine suitability for processes such as offset, digital printing, folding, gluing and conversion into board or tissue products.

Common categories include uncoated papers (newsprint, book and copy papers), coated papers (gloss, silk/matte finishes for magazines and brochures), woodfree papers produced mainly from chemical pulp for higher strength and brightness, mechanical or groundwood papers used for newspapers and low-cost printing, and various grades of paperboard and packaging board. Specialty papers cover filter papers, thermal papers, security papers and release liners.

Standards and measurements are important in specifying paper quality: grammage (g/m²), ISO brightness and whiteness values, opacity, surface smoothness and porosity are routinely reported. Coatings and fillers such as kaolin or calcium carbonate modify surface characteristics and printability. Recycled fiber content, elemental chlorine-free bleaching and certifications like FSC or PEFC are commonly used to address environmental and sustainability concerns.

Selection of a paper grade depends on intended use, print technology, required durability and ecological criteria. Advances in papermaking and recycling continue to expand available paperilaatujen, balancing performance requirements with resource efficiency and regulatory demands.