by Cassandra Balentine
Media options designed for presses in high-speed inkjet, toner, and liquid eletrophotographic configurations continue to open up doors to new applications. Demand for specially treated, coated, and synthetic media is on the rise as print providers expand into new markets.
“We’re seeing growth in the B2 UV inkjet market,” says Jeremy Underhill, VP of sales, MGX. “To meet this demand, we’re expanding our portfolio and investing heavily in coating technology, with aqueous inkjet compatibility as a major focus.”
For high-speed inkjet printing, Jean-Marc Dubois, key account manager, Papeteries de Clairefontaine, shares that Clairefontaine has mastered the specific surface treatment technologies required for high-speed inkjet papers. “Our innovation is driven by two main priorities—continuously adapting our papers to new ink and press technologies, in close collaboration with manufacturers and customers; and offering the widest product range on the market, from 40 to 600 gsm, in both virgin and recycled fibers. Today, Clairefontaine provides dedicated high-speed inkjet and toner papers for every application, from transactional and direct marketing to book publishing, commercial print, and packaging.”
Another option is narrowing down products from wide format. “As we design solutions for applications like walls, windows, and floors, it’s easy to add a functional coating to make those same solutions compatible with narrow format digital devices, including HP Indigo and production toner digital devices,” comments Jay Kroll, director of product education, General Formulations.
Kernow uses its passion and energy for technology and innovation to deliver sustainable, benchmark products for a variety of digital presses. “We have a broad portfolio for both narrow and wide format digital presses—dry toner, HP Indigo, inkjet—and continue to bring our innovation and manufacturing expertise to the high-speed inkjet market,” notes Mike Madura, sales director, North America, Kernow Coatings.
Products like Yupo Xpress are designed to operate in higher temperatures and have faster drying times, shares Ryan Kight, marketing manager, Yupo Corporation America.
UPM Raflatac works with the printer OEMs on qualifying materials to fit needs, according to Ben Shively, product manager, Consumer Label Solutions, UPM Raflatac.
Even specialty options like magnetics are available for digital production presses. “Magnum Magnetics has expanded compatibility profiles and formats including digital press sheets—DigiMag Plus/Prime/Xtra/Duplex—supporting smooth feeding, adhesion, and post-print magnetization where required,” notes Neil Hawkins, marketing manager, Magnum Magnetics.
Quality Concerns
Digital print technologies are working through a reputation for being less than when compared to offset in terms of quality. However, Dubois believes that concerns over the quality of digital have already been met. “Advances in inks, presses, and papers mean high-speed inkjet print results are now fully comparable with offset—with the added advantage of variability.”
Madura feels the challenge is in continuing to develop coatings and products for changing digital print platforms. “It’s to the point that now many end users don’t know the difference and we need to make sure that we have the right product for the right technology.”
Kroll sees two main quality challenges come in to play with digital—continuity and ease of use. “Traditional offset presses require highly skilled, mechanically minded press operators that are dialed into the minutia of the machine where most digital platforms—inkjet, toner, and HP Indigo—are push-button processes. The transition from paper to vinyl needs to be so seamless that the operator doesn’t need to dial anything in once they click ‘Print.’ That means the media needs a robust top coating to allow inks to adhere to the vinyl just as they would stick to paper.”
Each technology presents unique challenges, varying by press make and model. “Achieving offset-quality requires precise alignment of coating technology, substrate composition, and press optimization—a complex equation that continues to drive our research and development,” says Jeremy Underhill, VP of sales, MGX Digital.
Hawkins recognizes that maintaining offset-like quality in digital environments requires constant attention and discipline. “On our toner products, to further support printers, we also offer unmagnetized sheets that can be magnetized post-print, helping to reduce jams and preserve image fidelity. By staying proactive with these checks and balances, Magnum Magnetics has mastered processes that not only overcome these challenges but also set the standard for print quality and reliability in magnetic media.”
Rising Costs
With the costs of everything rising—paper and substrates included—suppliers do what they can to hold prices stable.
Suppliers help by managing tensions between flexibility and consistency, and that builds on good communication and product knowledge. “This is in part accomplished by having a good understanding of the objectives and options available for a particular project—potentially requiring the switch to an alternative over preferred material. Knowing your good, better, and best options means there are many ways to achieve the same outcome,” says Kroll.
Hawkins suggests making jobs faster to produce and easier to reuse to help eliminate costs. “Direct-to-magnet printable media removes mounting/lamination steps and labor, and magnets are easily swapped for new campaigns without replacing the base, reducing waste and roll-off.”
Shively says having a good amount of safety stock on raw materials and laminate stocks can help manage costs, as well as active negotiations with suppliers.
Clairefontaine focuses on offering premium substrates that deliver exceptional print quality and strong aesthetic appeal. “By providing added value, we help printers differentiate themselves from competitors and defend profitability through a strategy of quality and distinction,” notes Dubois.
Kight feels it is important for printers to identify forecasting better and focus on top moving products in a slower market. “The market will turnaround, but I think printers will need to have slight increases as overall cost—not only tariffs—affect suppliers.”
Yupo offers incentives and partnerships but mostly for merchants. “Our operations and planning team can assess that based on volume. In many cases a printer will have to go direct through their merchant to buy our product,” comments Kight.
Underhill feels that transparency and collaboration are essential. “We share pricing updates early so customers can plan ahead and we partner with printers and distributors to identify cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality. Beyond pricing, our technical support teams help optimize press settings, reduce waste, and maximize yield—driving efficiency that offsets rising material costs.”
MGX’s purchasing and planning teams work hand in hand with production to strengthen stock positions. “By aligning procurement with production capacity, we help mitigate volatility and provide greater stability for our customers,” says Underhill.
Kernow Coatings has done everything possible to hold pricing stable and only increase prices when absolutely necessary. “We offer a variety of products to allow the printer to choose the best product for the right technology and application so they can provide the best solution to the printer’s customers while maintaining profitability,” explains Madura. “Many of our solutions eliminate steps in the print process and save time and money while offering a better solution for their customer.”
Kernow works with printers to understand their application needs and offers the best solution at several price points. “Over the past several years, our pricing has been stable,” shares Madura.
Kroll points out that the industry is built on programs and partnerships, and General Formulations is no different. “We look at these tools to help create stability, but also as a part of our overall mission toward sustainability with responsible sourcing, product innovation, and waste management with a focus on continuous improvement.”
Hawkins says its Stock & Hold partnership is built around its customers’ forecasts. “We produce, stock, and automatically replenish to your levels, helping smooth cash flow and stabilize unit costs against rush premiums and expedite fees.”
Adding Value
It is often the case that you get what you pay for. During times when cost means everything, it is important to be able to explain the value of a superior product with a higher price tag. Media options branded as specialty or premium products help add value to printed output.
With so many brands and messages working to get your attention, it’s proven that little embellishment details and specialty media receive 30 percent more interaction, and that is a key component in product marketing, offers Kroll.
Underhill points out that while options like synthetic media carry a premium over paper, total cost of ownership is key. “The durability and longevity of synthetics often eliminate the need for reprints, reducing both cost and hassle. We emphasize that performance, lifecycle expectations, and end-use demands are just as important as upfront material pricing.”
Madura says Kernow puts out the message to the market that its products are premium/specialty media that can save time and money for a printer by eliminating steps in the print process and deliver a better/premium product to their customer. “We want to make sure they can provide the right solution for their customers and offer a broad portfolio that allows a printer to choose the best product for the technology for the customer solution.”
Kight explains that Yupo is a premium product, but its team works very hard to keep costs stable. “In many cases if you buy lower quality product then you most likely will get a lower quality result or a product that has a short shelf life or can even be unsustainable.”
Magnum Magnetics communicates value by focusing on both measurable cost efficiency and the long-term reliability customers expect, shares Hawkins.
“The most convincing approach is to show our papers in action,” says Dubois. “We present them in real applications—printed, bound, embossed, or varnished—so customers can see for themselves the outstanding print results and visual impact. Boosting productivity is another way we help improve profitability. We offer press trials to showcase the high performance of our papers under real production conditions.”
Specific to high-speed inkjet, Dubois points to a growing interest in papers with distinctive textures, shades, and bulk. “These features, once exclusive to offset printing, are increasingly sought after in digital, and Clairefontaine is meeting that demand.”
Synthetic Media
As applications for digital grow, so too do demands for an expanded array of substrate options—including synthetics.
“Certainly we see growth in synthetics specifically in in-mold labeling for rigid plastics,” comments Kight.
Shively also sees a lot of growth in synthetic materials over paper.
Underhill says demand for synthetic substrates continues to grow as end users prioritize durability, reduced reprints, and longer product lifecycles. “These factors directly contribute to lowering total cost and improving value for printers and their customers.”
Madura agrees, noting that demand for synthetic paper is growing, especially in applications where durability, moisture resistance, and premium finishes matter. “Industries like packaging, labeling, outdoor signage, and maps increasingly prefer synthetic paper over traditional paper. While synthetic paper is plastic-based, recyclability, and reduced resource use—longer lifecycle, fewer replacements—are helping it gain acceptance in eco-conscious markets.”
“Demand is increasing in all areas for General Formulations, from our economy vinyl solutions to high-end cast. My viewpoint is that demand is not shifting but rather expanding to include more, and different substrates. A better understanding of applications and technologies is increasing and PSPs are adjusting operations and materials to profitably meet those changes,” shares Kroll.
In terms of magnetics, Hawkins notes a strong pull toward changeable, reusable signage and vehicle-grade magnets for branding—both align with lower waste and quicker campaign updates. Broader market trackers also show steady growth in flexible magnet usage as brands pursue personalized, durable promotional formats.
Sustainable Solutions
Environmental responsibility is critical for many print providers and buyers.
Media suppliers like Clairefontaine address the growing demand for sustainability with several solutions, including papers that allow weight reductions without compromising performance; papers made entirely from recycled fiber, or from virgin fiber certified FSC or PEFC; and virgin and recycled fiber papers with a reduced carbon footprint, thanks to the use of biomass energy in their production, according to Dubois.
General Formulations has a number of print media options already available that are alternatives to PVC. “We have also made significant strides toward a more sustainable experience with PVC,” says Kroll.
Kernow has a portfolio of recyclable polyester and polypropylene products. “We offer additional sustainable products that use significantly less material in the manufacturing process. We also offer a range of PVC-free wide format materials including window films and floor graphics. We continue to innovate in this area and will continue to bring sustainable products to the market for a variety of print technologies,” states Madura.
Magnum Magnetics offers two practical avenues that Hawkins says printers can deploy today. “Magnetic-receptive systems that keep a printed magnet base on the wall and change only the lightweight magnetic-receptive, cutting material turnover and shipping weight. Education around reuse and recyclability in magnets—magnets are durable, reusable, and part of a growing magnet-to-magnet recycling conversation across the industry.”
MGX is actively integrating higher levels of post-industrial waste into several core product lines and exploring biodegradable additives that aid in the safe breakdown of plastics without adverse environmental impact. “These initiatives align with our goal of delivering high-performance substrates with improved sustainability profiles,” notes Underhill.
Yupo Xpress is the company’s new workhorse grade for printing. Kight says it is an excellent product for UV printing. SuperYupo Plus is its new grade for conventional offset printing. It is unique for Yupo because it can be printed using standard paper inks.
Managing Media
Media is an essential component to a successful print. The application range of digital print technologies—whether it be inkjet or toner—is expanded with the help of specialty and premium substrate and coating options.
Nov2025, DPS Magazine
