Mill Trial Studies of Surface Size Application for Improved Ink-Jet Print Quallty, 1995 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

R. K. Bazaj, L. J. Barker, L. E. Errigo, O. S. dePierne & R. J. Proverb CYTEC Industries, Inc. Laboratory studies on experimental paper have shown that individual ink-jet quality parameters respond differently to internal and surface sizing, and that good print quality is achieved when these additives are properly balanced. This understanding is helpful towards optimizing internal and surface size dosage and other variables on the paper machine. This paper provides four case studies from mill trials where surface size treatments were applied from a size press to paper internally sized with alkenyl succinic anhydride in situations where an improvement in ink-jet printability was required. During the trials, printability in monochrome ink-jet printing was tested in order to optimize performance. Visual assessment of solid black and text print quality assisted in optimizing the sizing treatment during the trial, and more detailed instrumental measurements were made later. Optical density and wicking performance were assessed, comparing effects of different surface size resins at several dosages. For one trial, the effect of different antifoams on print quality performance was studied. The results of these trials were consistent with the prior laboratory studies.