Use of specialty pigments in high-end ink-jet paper coatings

Ink-jet (IJ) printing is a fast developing non-impact printing technique, which depends on three key parameters: e.g. paper, printer, and ink. Surface of the papers for high-end segment is treated with coatings consisting of specialty pigments, such as silica, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). Fumed and precipitated silica and PCC are known for their high-specific surface area, quick water absorption and high fidelity of IJ prints. In this article, results of our paper coating and printing trials are presented and discussed. Behaviour of individual pigments is examined in terms of their contribution to the coating colour rheology and coated and printed paper quality. Advantages of silica-based pigments and their disadvantages in comparison with PCC are pointed out.