Running Light-weight Newsprint

The trend in the newspaper industry has been narrower and lighter weight newsprint. Today, the majority of newspapers in North America run either 48" or 50" web widths, with several newspapers going to 46', 44" or Berliner formats. Newsprint weight is also getting lighter; in 2008, the balance between 45 gram and 48 gram newsprint shifted. Today, 45g. newsprint is the majority of newsprint (by weight) consumed by North American newspapers. Though the economics make the decision clear; running the light-weight newsprint could require more diligence.

There are two elements to running 45g. or lighter newsprint: Runability on press and Print Quality.

Runability is all about web tension and a properly set & maintained press.
1. Verify web tension, reels and trolleys are set correctly. Trolley pressure and tension is consistent and set to the proper pressure.
2. Agressive press maintenance and cleaning plan - tram and clean rollers, verify proper roller and cylinders are set properly, clean rollers, units and angle bars.
3. Blanket height is critical to accurate nip pressure.
4. Verify basis wt. of your newsprint - both between suppliers and over time.
5. Use sharp slitters!
6. Adjust press ink/water ramps and start-up curves to reduce the chance for angle bar web breaks.

Print Quality can be optimized by adjusting settings to limit showthrough and set-off.
1. Lower total ink coverage to 200 or 220 TAC based on site specific use of GCR or ink saving software.
2. Increase use of GCR to limit saturated shadow areas.
3. Check ink strength and adjust ink film thickness if necessary.
4. Use SNAP ICC Newspaper profile or create custom ICC profile for your press.
5. Work with the color editor or set automatic color editing softward in your workflow to miximize contrast and color profiles to achieve the best photo reproduction settings. Keys to color reproduction on light-weight newsprint: Unsharp Masking in Photoshop (sharpen the photo!), reduce TAC and increase contrast in photos.