Print: materials
Paper & Cardboard
As the name suggests, paper trim is most often printed on various kinds of paper. All paper provided by Talon International is premium-quality and direct from the mill where it was made. Almost all paper is white before printing, and Talon International always provides paper with maximum brightness. Here are the basic criteria Talon International uses to categorize different kinds of paper:
THICKNESS You may have heard or seen many different ways to describe paper, including weight, brightness, and sheet dimensions, but Talon International finds the most convenient system for customers is to categorize paper by thickness. The thicker the paper, the stiffer and more opaque it will usually be. In the United States, paper thickness is measured using the point (pt) system. Most other countries use grams per square meter (GSM). Paper thickness range from 8 pts (approx. 175 GSM), which is quite light, to 24 pts (approx. 375 GSM), which is very stiff, like a thin cardboard.
SURFACE Paper is made with one of two different primary-surfaces, either coated or uncoated. Uncoated paper is like most stationery papers or drawing papers, with a slightly rough, tactile feeling when touched. It is sometimes referred to as "skinboard" or "EDP." Uncoated paper absorbs ink substantially - a little bit like an ink blotter - making it somewhat difficult to match particular colors, and yet it's ideal for achieving certain "rustic" or "authentic" looks popular for many apparel brands. Coated paper features a smooth surface, most often with a glossy appearance. A matte-coat or dull-coat is also available, which receives ink well but without the sheen of the glossy-coated surfaces. The kinds of coated surfaces described above should not be confused with the many different finishes that Talon International can provide after the printing process . Please see following page for important information on specifying ink colors to be used on uncoated and coated sheets.
Paper may be coated on only one side, known as C1S, or it may be coated on both sides, known as C2S. If printed trim such as a pocket flasher only requires printing on one side, then C1S will work fine. Hangtags and other pieces featuring printing on both sides are usually printed on C2S.
COMMON SPECIFICATIONS FOR PAPER TRIM Talon International keeps a substantial inventory of paper so that we can meet your printing needs quickly and efficiently. We buy the most popular paper styles in huge bulk quantities, and pass the savings on to you. We almost always have immediate availability for the paper stocks that are most commonly chosen, including all of those mentioned below for these popular styles of trim:
Hang Tag The most common stock chosen is 12 pt., C1S or C2S, though uncoated stocks including tag board or skinboard may also be used. Many hangtags are mounted on board for extra stiffness.
Pocket Flasher The most popular choice is 18 pt., C1S, printed on either the coated or the uncoated side.
Leg Sticker These are printed on a lightweight coated paper that does not crease when folded with the garment. There are many different styles of paper for leg stickers, including chrome-coat, which is very glossy; semi-gloss, which is standard; matte-litho (dull-coated); and EDP, a completely uncoated stock. Leg stickers can also be printed on clear or white vinyl.
Size Joker Usually 10 pt. C1S. o Price Ticket: Either 10pt or 12 pt, C1S.
Specialty Papers Talon International offers a wide range of specialty papers to give you maximum choice when designing your printed marketing. There is a wide range of beautiful colored and textured paper stocks available today. Almost all stocks now include some recycled content, but we can also provide paper that has a higher recycled content, including 100% certified recycled paper. We can even provide paper made from recycled denim! Linen finishes and chipboard are also available. Please note that all specialty papers tend to be more expensive and have minimum order amounts since they need to be ordered-directly from the paper mill. To guarantee authenticity, many manufacturers are now using anti-fraud paper for price tickets and other paper trim. This is specially designed paper that can be reliably identified by the retailer (somewhat like anti counterfeiting techniques used in dollar bills).
PVC PLASTIC PVC and other plastics offer distinctive looks for trim, and are most often used for high-end garments and "quieter" retail environments. This is because plastics are more fragile than paper, and are susceptible to damage or scratching if handled too roughly. Talon International can print on plastics much like paper (though crispness is slightly reduced). Plastic is suitable for hangtags, pocket flashers and is also used for many leg stickers. PVC is usually specified between 10 pt and 15 pt., and is 3 to 4 times more expensive than paper. Please note that production lead-time is approximately doubled, due to the slowness of printing on this type of material.
