Avoiding Confusion When Ordering MGX Digitally Optimized Materials

C0S, C1S, C2S…each of these abbreviations have important meanings in the paper and HP Indigo coating industry. These terms all sound similar, and are used interchangeably to refer to different stages in the paper manufacturing process, as well as ordering options in the digital coating process. With all of the paper products that MGX coats for its customers, there is bound to be confusion over these common terms when ordering products or requesting digital coating on a material. In order to reduce the confusion on ordering materials, MGX has developed some new terminology to specify a customer’s digital coating preference.

In the paper industry, all papers are produced with a raw, matte surface. In this state, the paper is referred to as a C0S paper, because no coating has been applied to the surface of the paper. In many instances, a high-gloss shine is desired on one or both sides of the paper. In order to achieve this effect, the paper mill passes the material over a series of polished chrome rollers, applying a clay coating to the paper and giving it a high-gloss shine. This glossy clay coating can be applied to one side of the paper, in which it becomes a C1S paper. It is a C2S paper if the gloss coat is applied on both sides.

When Masterpiece Graphix receives a material, we apply a digitally receptive coating onto the surface of the paper. This coating Indigo-preps the material, optimizing the paper for exceptional printability on an Indigo press. This process can be laid on top of the paper mill’s high-gloss clay coating, or on the raw matte surface. This process can also be applied on one or on both sides of the paper, regardless if the paper has a gloss coat.

In some instances, the digital coating process is defined using the same terminology as the paper mill’s clay coat process. This can cause confusion for us as well as our customers. An Indigo material digitally coated on one side of the substrate may be referred to as C1S, or C2S if it is Indigo-prepped on both sides, regardless of the gloss-matte configuration.

With the same terms occasionally being used to describe two very important but very different processes, customers and MGX sales personnel should pay careful attention when a new sheet order is placed.  Thankfully Masterpiece Graphix has incorporated new ordering terminology, to avoid confusion on either end. When specifying what sides to digitally optimize, MGX asks that “Opt1S” and “Opt2S” be used to describe the customer’s coating preference.  The terms C0S, C1S, and C2S should be used only to describe the glossy clay coat on the material, not the digital coating applied by MGX.

So, for example, you could order a C2S paper, optimized to Indigo print on one sides (Opt1S) or both sides (Opt2S). On the other hand, a C1S paper could be ordered as an Opt1S; in this case the Indigo-coated side would need to be specified, ie, either the matte or gloss side. And to avoid any confusion, a person dealing with Indigo treated stocks on either end should always confirm the gloss/matte configuration, and whether the stock will be Indigo printed on one or both sides.