Paper and board may look simple, but producing a sheet that prints well, resists moisture, runs smoothly on machines, and survives handling is not simple at all. Without additives, paper would absorb liquid too quickly, tear easily, appear uneven, and fail during printing or packaging.
This is why additives—especially surface additives—play such an important role in modern paper and board manufacturing. They are not added to complicate the process. They are added to solve real problems related to quality, performance, and usability.
Why Untreated Paper Fails Without Surface Additives
At its core, paper is made from natural fibres. These fibres are strong, but they are also:
• Highly absorbent
• Rough at the surface level
• Sensitive to water, ink, and pressure
Without surface additives, paper would soak up ink like a sponge, weaken when exposed to moisture, and release fibres during printing. This results in blurred text, patchy colours, machine stoppages, customer complaints, and wastage across production and printing processes.
Surface additives exist to control these issues and convert basic fibre sheets into reliable, high-performance products that meet modern printing and packaging requirements to control these issues and convert basic fibre sheets into reliable, high-performance products.
Why Surface Additives Matter More Than You Think
The surface of paper is where the real work happens.
Printing, coating, lamination, folding, gluing, sealing—everything interacts with the outer layer.
Surface additives are specifically designed to improve that interaction.
They help paper and board:
- Accept ink evenly without spreading
- Resist water, oil, and humidity
- Stay smooth and dust-free during printing
- Move easily through machines without sticking or slipping
- Look consistent, clean, and premium
This is why manufacturers focus heavily on Surface Additives Chemicals when developing grades for printing and packaging.
What Surface Additives Actually Do
Rather than changing the inside of the sheet, surface additives work on the top layer to guide how liquids, pressure, and contact behave.
They help by:
- Slowing absorption so ink stays sharp, not fuzzy
- Strengthening the surface so fibres don’t lift or break
- Reducing dusting and picking, especially on high-speed presses
- Improving smoothness, which helps colours look uniform
- Creating light barriers against moisture or grease when needed
These improvements are often visible immediately during printing or converting.
Common Examples of Surface Additives Used in Paper and Board
Surface additives are not one single product. They are a group of supporting materials, each with a specific purpose.
Starch-Based Surface Additives
Widely used because they are cost-effective and reliable.
They improve surface strength, reduce dusting, and help inks sit properly during printing.
Synthetic Polymers
Used when higher performance is needed.
These help control water resistance, ink holdout, and surface stability under pressure.
Coating Surface Additives
Added into coating formulations to improve flow, coverage, and finish.
They prevent defects like pinholes, streaks, or uneven gloss.
Slip and Control Additives
Used to manage friction so sheets don’t stick together or slide uncontrollably during stacking and cutting.
Each additive works quietly in the background, but together they control the final feel and performance of the paper
Where Surface Additives Are Commonly Used
Surface additives are present in almost every high-performance paper product you encounter.
Printing and Writing Papers
Helps achieve:
- Cleaner text
- Sharper images
- Reduced ink spread
- Better performance on modern digital and offset printers
Packaging Boards
Essential for:
- Folding carton strength
- Clean printing for branding
- Resistance to humidity during transport
- Smooth converting and die-cutting
Corrugated and Kraft Papers
Improve:
- Surface strength
- Adhesive performance
- Print clarity for outer liners
Food and Consumer Packaging
Surface additives support:
- Light moisture and grease resistance
- Safe contact with packaged goods
- Better appearance without plastic laminations
Why Additives Are Adjusted for Each Paper Grade
No two paper products face the same conditions.
A sheet used for books behaves differently from one used for pizza boxes or liquid cartons. This is why surface additives are selected based on:
- Printing method
- End-use exposure to moisture or oil
- Required strength
- Machine speed
- Surface appearance expectations
Using the wrong additive—or using too much—can reduce quality instead of improving it. This balance is why surface additives are tuned carefully rather than applied universally.
How Surface Additives Help Solve Common Industry Problems
Many recurring paper and board issues are surface-related, not fibre-related.
Surface additives help reduce problems such as:
- Ink feathering and uneven printing
- Excessive paper dust during printing
- Smudging and ink rub-off
- Sheets sticking together after coating
- Weak top layers during folding and cutting
Instead of changing fibre sources or increasing GSM, manufacturers often solve these issues by refining the surface additive system.
The Role of Surface Additives in Sustainable Paper
As the industry moves away from plastic coatings and heavy laminates, surface additives are becoming even more important.
They help manufacturers:
- Improve performance without plastic films
- Reduce material usage while maintaining strength
- Support recyclability
- Create functional packaging using mainly fibre-based structures
This makes Surface Additives Chemicals a key part of sustainable product development.
Why Manufacturers Invest in Better Surface Additives
Surface additives do more than improve product quality. They also deliver commercial benefits:
- Fewer machine stoppages
- Reduced customer complaints
- Better print consistency
- Lower rejection rates
- Improved brand presentation
For many mills, surface refinement offers a high return compared to expensive machinery upgrades.
Key Insight for Buyers, Engineers, and Product Managers
Surface additives are not optional enhancements. They are problem-solvers.
They influence how paper looks, behaves, and performs in real-world conditions.
Understanding why additives are added to paper and board helps decision-makers:
• Select the right grade for specific use
• Evaluate suppliers more effectively, including choosing the right Surface additives manufacturer
• Improve consistency across batches
• Meet higher performance expectations without overengineering
When surface additives are selected and applied correctly, paper stops behaving like a basic fibre sheet and starts performing like a reliable, engineered material.
Paper quality is judged at the surface.
Printability, strength, appearance, and usability all depend on it.
That is why surface additives and Surface Additives Chemicals remain central to modern paper and board manufacturing—not as technical extras, but as essential tools that quietly deliver performance where it matters most.