If you have ever looked into alternatives to standard, wood fiber paper, you’ve probably come across synthetic paper. However, there is a serious lack of quality information out there on synthetic paper, including what it is, its composition, its benefits, and its many uses. Most consumers are unsure if synthetic paper can offer the same printing solutions as regular paper and, as a result, they opt for wood fiber paper. Unfortunately, wood fiber paper is actually inferior in a number of ways, to say nothing of its negative impact on the planet as a whole.
So, in today’s synthetic paper guide, we are going to teach you everything you need to know about synthetic paper. This should help you make a decision if you’re considering purchasing synthetic paper in the future!
What Is Synthetic Paper?
Synthetic paper is made of polypropylene or polyethylene synthetic resin. In this way, synthetic paper’s composition resembles plastic more than it does paper. However, this doesn’t mean that synthetic paper looks or feels plastic. In fact, it is specifically designed to mimic the same physical qualities as paper, making most types of synthetic paper virtually indistinguishable from their wood fiber-based counterparts.
In addition to the fact that synthetic paper does not require trees or wood in its production, it is also made to be extremely durable. While you may not be able to tell the difference between synthetic paper and wood fiber paper at first glance, you can tell the difference when you start to work with both of them. More specifically, synthetic paper is made durable thanks to multiple layers of polyester film. These layers make it so that it is very difficult, perhaps even impossible, to tear synthetic paper by hand. Additionally, synthetic paper is resistant to water, unlike traditional wood fiber paper that immediately swells and disintegrates when exposed to moisture.
Benefits Of Synthetic Paper
As previously mentioned, synthetic paper is specifically designed to outperform traditional, wood fiber paper in a number of ways. Here, we will look at some of the most important and notable benefits of synthetic paper.
Environmental Sustainability
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One of the main issues that people have with wood fiber paper is that it requires the consumption of Earth’s natural resources — specifically trees. In order to produce all the paper that the global population uses, paper manufacturers must decimate forests and jungles around the world. Consequently, the over-production of wood fiber paper is rapidly increasing the impact of global warming and more localized environmental decay.
Fortunately, synthetic paper is far superior in this regard. Not only is synthetic paper manufactured without the use of trees, but it also has a much longer life for recycling. Typically, wood fiber paper can only be recycled two or three times (for lower-grade products), as it quickly degrades in quality. Alternatively, synthetic paper is far more durable and can be reused for the same products multiple times. |
Durability
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Synthetic paper is most notable for being waterproof and tearproof, which makes it an obvious step up from traditional forms of paper. With wood fiber paper, just holding it the wrong way can cause small tears and imperfections. On the other hand, synthetic paper is highly resistant to damage from physical objects, water, and even the sun. This means that you can use fade-resistant synthetic paper for years without it losing its luster.
One additional benefit is the fact that you can wash waterproof paper. Having washable paper means that you never have to worry about spilling coffee on an important report right before your big meeting or accidentally ruining your Christmas cards before you can send them out. In short, synthetic paper is strong enough to withstand just about anything! |
Versatility
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Due to their physical weakness, wood fiber papers are often hidden or somehow protected from the elements for safekeeping. You may choose to keep an important document stored in a filing cabinet or even tucked away in your wallet. Either way, you have to be careful with documents printed on wood fiber paper, especially if you don’t have any kind of digital backup.
With synthetic paper, you can take your important documents anywhere. Since they are UV resistant, waterproof, chemical resistant, and washable, there are very few things that could actually damage your documents! This makes synthetic paper far more versatile, as it can withstand a wide range of environments without showing any noticeable degradation. |
How To Print With Synthetic Paper
While the process for printing documents with synthetic paper is slightly different, it is not overly complicated. Here is a step-by-step guide on synthetic paper printing:
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Common Synthetic Paper Uses
Synthetic paper is most often applied in situations where durable prints, tags, or documents are required. More specifically, its water resistance, UV resistance, and chemical resistance make it the ideal choice for a number of different commercial industries. For example, synthetic paper is frequently employed in horticultural environments, including plant nurseries, lumber mills, and similar environments that make use of tags and products for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Synthetic paper is also useful for any printed items that require a long shelf-life. For example, many restaurants use synthetic paper for menus (often in tandem with lamination), so that they can use the same menus for years on end. Additionally, pharmaceutical and food-processing companies also use synthetic paper to create long-lasting tags and documentation for medicine, food, and drink packaging.
However, synthetic paper is not just for commercial use. You can use synthetic paper for a wide range of domestic needs, from identifying tags in your home garden to important documentation that you want to keep safe from damage. Thus, there is virtually no shortage of ways you can use and benefit from synthetic paper!
Signage and Tags
Ready to Buy Synthetic Paper?
As you can see, synthetic paper offers an excellent alternative to traditional wood fiber paper. Not only does it have a much longer shelf life, but it can also be recycled many more times, which can help reduce the strain it puts on both forests and landfills. Additionally, synthetic paper comes with a number of inherent advantages, from water resistance to tear resistance. In short, synthetic paper is a great alternative to traditional wood fiber paper that comes with a mountain of amazing benefits!
Ready to start your next project? Check out our synthetic paper offerings today, and let us know how you put our synthetic paper to good use!