Newspaper paper absorbs ink better than smooth paper because of its higher porosity. The cellulose fibers of newspaper paper are less compact, allowing ink to penetrate more easily and quickly into the paper.
Newsprint is primarily made of mechanical wood fibers, obtained by grinding wood directly. These fibers are short, coarser, and create a very porous paper, ideal for absorbing ink quickly and efficiently. In contrast, smooth paper like that used for magazines or delicate prints is generally made with chemical wood fibers, which are longer and smoother, treated with chemicals to remove impurities. Often, a coating (a fine layer designed to smooth and fill the pores) is even added to achieve a glossy appearance. This makes the surface extremely even and compact, seriously limiting ink penetration into the material.
Newsprint is naturally rougher than smooth paper. Imagine it as a surface full of tiny bumps and microscopic dips. These irregularities greatly increase the contact surface with the ink. As a result, when a drop of ink touches newsprint, it spreads and quickly penetrates the reliefs and small spaces. In contrast, a smooth, glossy, or satin sheet is so flat that the ink struggles to adhere to the surface. It remains on the surface longer before being absorbed, with a risk of smudging or blotching. The rougher the surface, the better the absorption, thus facilitating rapid and even drying.
Newsprint is generally more porous and less dense than smooth or glossy papers. Less dense means that there are more empty spaces within its structure. These small free spaces provide easy pathways for the ink to quickly seep in. The high porosity offers a multitude of tiny open cavities that act somewhat like microscopic sponges, further facilitating the rapid absorption of the ink. In contrast, a very dense paper like glossy paper contains fewer gaps, making it more difficult for the ink to penetrate and remain.
When a drop of ink is placed on newspaper, the fibers quickly absorb the liquid due to the capillary phenomenon. It's somewhat like a sponge: the narrow spaces between the fibers create many small channels. The finer the channels, the more easily the ink rises, drawn by the fibers themselves that affect the balance of adhesion forces. As a result, the ink spreads quickly, dispersing through the network of fibers and drying rapidly. In contrast, very smooth paper with tightly packed fibers and few internal spaces has few capillary channels: the ink doesn't know where to go, stays on the surface, and takes longer to dry.
The newsprint often contains a large proportion of recycled fibers, which gives it its characteristic grayish color and further enhances its absorbency compared to glossy papers, which are mostly made from new fibers.
Due to its rough and porous texture, newspaper can absorb many other liquids besides ink, which is why it is often used for quickly soaking up spilled liquids or for cleaning windows.
The newspaper's ability to quickly absorb ink allows for high-speed printing at a lower cost, which explains its preferred use for widely circulated daily press.
Did you know that the ink used for quick-drying newspaper often contains vegetable oils (such as soy oil) that easily penetrate the paper fibers, thus improving quick, smudge-free printing?
Newspaper is generally made from mechanical pulp that contains a higher proportion of recycled fibers and has high porosity. Recycled paper often shares these same characteristics, which explains a similar absorption capacity.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes. Highly absorbent paper can cause excessive ink bleeding, resulting in a loss of precision in the printed details. Less absorbent paper allows for sharper and finer printing."
This phenomenon can be reduced by choosing a high-viscosity ink, adding a priming agent to the paper, or adjusting the printing settings to deliver less ink on the surface.
Often, yes, a rough paper like newsprint appears less smooth and less shiny. Under good lighting, one can clearly notice a difference in texture compared to glossy paper or smoother types of paper.
No. Newsprint has too much roughness and absorbs ink too quickly, which could clog the print heads and degrade the print quality of your home printer.
No one has answered this quiz yet, be the first!' :-)
Question 1/5
