Finch Optimizes Inkjet Papers for Each Segment, With a Committed Focus on Tailored Solutions and Customer Satisfaction

Finch Paper has debuted Finch Smartbook Jet and Finch Mailstream for precision printing on production inkjet systems, making the announcement in concert with the company’s 150-year anniversary and long-standing commitment to the printing paper market.

Finch Smartbook Jet and Finch Mailstream expand the company’s digital line that already includes highly acclaimed Finch Fine iD and Finch Inkjet Pi substrates. “As technology evolves, Finch continues to invest where we can add value to our clients,” says Finch Vice President of Sales and Marketing Greg Maio. “We are the ideal partner for multi-press printing environments that need tailored product and/or service solutions to help them succeed.”

The Finch Smartbook Revolution
Paper manufacturers have been challenged with drying issues associated with lighter basis weights in the burgeoning on-demand book segment. Finch has solved the issue with a specially engineered paper formulation including a surface treatment to maximize ink density and absorption, resulting in instantaneous drying on its Smartbook Jet 606 PPI (50 lb. text), 750 PPI (45 lb. text) and 830 PPI (41 lb. text) grades.

The high pages-per-inch (PPI) achievement coupled with outstanding opacity and NASTA compliance makes Finch Smartbook Jet the ultimate uncoated paper solution. The silky smooth surface of Finch Smartbook Jet provides brilliant full-color images textbook publishers seek. Finch Smartbook Jet is engineered for pigment ink systems on Canon Colorstream, HP T-series, Kodak Prosper, Ricoh Infoprint and Screen TrueJet production inkjet presses.

Finch Mailstream Is a First-Class Product Portfolio for Transactional and Direct Mail
Finch is committed to developing new product solutions as technology evolves. Collaborating with leading-edge customers and inkjet press manufacturers, Finch Paper designed a portfolio of products specifically for transactional and direct-mail printers to improve response rates with lower total costs of operation. The Finch Mailstream includes the following:

Finch Mailstream DS (dual system) is a treated inkjet product optimized for both dye-based and pigment systems. Offered in 20 lb./74 gsm to 9 pt. reply/209 gsm, Finch Mailstream DS features a premium blue-white shade to accentuate color “pop,” and sets a new standard for duplex printing. The 20-lb. bond has a remarkable 95 opacity.

Finch Mailstream XP96 is surface enhanced to optimize inkjet and laser production environments. This cross-platform (XP) substrate boasts a 96-bright blue-white shade ideal for color logos and graphics.

Finch Mailstream XP92 also is surface enhanced for increased productivity and print fidelity. This cross-platform (XP) 92-bright white substrate is universally compatible to enhance graphics with minimal show-through.

The Finch Mailstream family of products feature:

Highest available opacity
Clean perfing, punching and inserting
Guaranteed paper performance in MICR applications
Broad range of basis weights including 7 pt. and 9 pt. reply card
10% and 30% post-consumer waste (PCW) fiber options
Qualification on Canon, Kodak, HP, Ricoh and Screen inkjet presses
Finch MOCR Laser is an untreated, 92-bright choice that rounds out the offering for the transactional segment. Finch MOCR Laser is available in 20 lb., 24 lb. and 28 lb., with fast, flexible service in the Eastern markets.

Finch Inkjet Pi Dominates Direct Mail/Commercial Print Inkjet Applications
Finch Inkjet Pi is treated for pigment inks (PI) and is well-suited for “house sheet” status at direct mailers and commercial printers. Finch Inkjet Pi features a wide range of basis weights – 45 lb. text to 130 lb. text/9 pt. reply – and a 96-bright, balanced Alpine White shade.

Most commercial inkjet presses that incorporate pigment inks are best matched with Finch Inkjet Pi. These include but are not limited to Canon ColorStream, HP T-series and Kodak Prosper. Finch Inkjet Pi does not require the use of bonding agents.

Finch Digital Web XP is an untreated complement to Finch’s Inkjet Pi. Finch Digital Web XP is engineered for offset, laser and inkjet web printing, and is suitable for all downstream finishing applications. Its 96-bright smooth printing surface is a step up from standard offsets, making a better impression for increased response rates.

Maio says, “Finch is proud to continue to serve the needs of the expanding digital printing marketplace. Our R&D team has produced a superior uncoated portfolio, giving printers the ability to deliver better color with lower total costs for print-on-demand books, transpromo printing and direct mail.”

Availability
Finch Smartbook Jet, Finch Mailstream DS, Finch Mailstream XP and Finch Inkjet Pi are commercially available in a variety of roll sizes to fit specific application and print engine needs. Finch’s inkjet grades also are available with up to 30% post-consumer recycled fiber and FSC® certification.

To learn more, please call (800) 833-9983 or visit www.finchpaper.com.

Finch Paper receives an economic development grant from New York State that will strengthen the company’s competitive position in uncoated freesheet paper

Glens Falls, NY December 11, 2014— Finch Paper LLC, manufacturer of uncoated papers including flagship Finch Opaque and Finch Fine®, has announced a plan to invest $20 million in its Glens Falls, NY, manufacturing campus. An important component of the plan includes funding from public-private partnerships, as awarded today by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo upon the recommendation of the state’s Capital Region Economic Development Council (REDC).

Finch Paper LLC is a leading Opaque paper manufacturer, whose investment strategy is designed to increase its reliability and flexibility in the paper markets it serves while sustaining and growing vital manufacturing jobs in the Capital District and Adirondack region of New York State.

During a time of rapid change in the industry, Finch Paper is planning to invest in these critical areas: its wood processing and converting operations, its pulp mill, and the company’s largest paper machine. State-of-the-art equipment and asset upgrades in the company’s woodyard operation will have many benefits including improvements in safety, chip quality and fiber yield. The new equipment will use much less fuel and electricity and is expected to stimulate additional investments among Finch’s wood suppliers.

Finch Paper will also upgrade the pulp mill’s distributive control system. Finch operates one of only two ammonia based bi-sulphite (ABBS) pulp mills in the country which produces an exceptionally high-bright pulp while minimizing odors at its downtown location.

Today’s announcement by New York’s Capital District REDC was also the critical component needed to engineer, build and install a new headbox on Finch’s largest paper machine. This major investment secures the company’s competitive position, improving both quality and efficiency while lowering the cost structure. “Finch and New York State have the ability to compete on a global scale,” Finch Paper President & CEO Debabrata Mukherjee said. “This investment is a celebration of our 150-year anniversary and will ignite the commitment we need to win for the next 150 years.”

Finch Paper is making additional investment in energy efficiency. Collaborating with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Finch’s goal is to make further reductions in gas and electric consumption and the company’s corresponding carbon footprint. Finch Paper produces two-thirds of its energy needs through on-site renewable resources with the balance coming from natural gas. Already Boiler MACT compliant, Finch is in an ideal position to invest in continuous improvement projects and assets that add value to their business and their customers’ businesses.

About Finch Paper

Finch Paper LLC is a leading, privately-owned and vertically integrated paper manufacturer specializing in high-bright, uncoated papers for North American printing and converting markets. Using advanced manufacturing systems, Finch produces a broad portfolio of opaque, text and cover and digital papers for multi-press environments, including recognized brands such as Finch Fine®, Finch Opaque, Finch ThruPut Wove and Finch Inkjet Pi.

Finch Paper was the first integrated paper manufacturer in the United States to receive both the Forest Management and Chain-of-Custody certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council® and Sustainable Forestry Initiative®. Finch is one of only a few paper companies that continues to manage forests. Finch papers are made using two-thirds renewable energy produced by on-site hydroelectric and cogeneration facilities and has been a responsible, sustainable New York State manufacturer for more than a century. To learn more, visit www.finchpaper.com.