| Ash in wood, pulp, paper, and paperboard: Combustion at 525°C | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI 211 |
| Test Description: | A test specimen is ignited in a muffle furnace at 525°C. A separate test specimen is analyzed for the percentage moisture. The resulting weight of ash and moisture level in the sample is used to calculate the percentage ash present at 525°C on a moisture-free sample basis. | |
| Grammage of paper and paperboard | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T410 ISO 536 |
| Test Description: | Most paper is bought and sold in accordance with its mass per unit area, and therefore the grammage has great significance both to the consumer and the producer in defining price. The values of many physical properties such as bursting strength, thickness, and bulk are interpreted and specified with regard to grammage. The grammage is also used to calculate the index properties of many strength properties and thus the proper measurement of basis weight is critical for the correct calculation of these indexes. | |
| Bulk and bulking number of paper | ||
| References Standard: | TAPPI T500 ISO 534 |
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| Test Description: | The measurement of book bulk by this method is particularly useful to book manufacturers and printers for determining the probable thickness of a book consisting of a particular paper in a specified number of sheets or pages. | |
| Bursting strength of paper, paperboard, and linerboard | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T403(paper) TAPPI T807(board) ISO 2758 |
| Test Description: | Bursting strength is widely used as a measure of resistance to rupture in many kinds of paper. The test is relatively easy and inexpensive to make and appears to simulate some end-use requirements | |
| Thickness (caliper) of paper, paperboard, and combined board | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T411 ISO 534 |
| Test Description: | Thickness is an important property of paper, paperboard, or combined board, and variations in thickness are also important especially for papers and paperboards used for mechanical purposes. The test is useful for research work, routine control, design of end-use products, and for acceptance testing for conformance to specifications. Thickness is one of the important characteristics that affect flexural stiffness | |
| CIE whiteness and tint of paper and paperboard | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T560(d/0) TAPPI T562(45/0) ISO 11475 (D65) |
| Test Description: | Paper is bought, sold and used primarily indoors. Therefore it is important to assess the “whiteness" of the paper under similar conditions. When “white" papers are ranked subjectively, it has been shown that people prefer bluish whites to grayish, yellowish, greenish, or pinkish whites. As a consequence, paper-makers often add fluorescent whitening agents or optical brightening agents to enhance the appearance of their papers. The CIE whiteness and tint equations have a blue bias to better quantify what people prefer. It has been shown that CIE whiteness values correlate well with visual whiteness assessment when the UV level of the source approximates that of average indoor lighting | |
| Cobb Test | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T441 |
| Test Description: | Water absorptiveness is a function of various characteristics of paper or board such as sizing, porosity, etc. This method is generally applicable to sized paper, paperboard and corrugated fiberboard, but it is not recommended as a sizing test for writing paper | |
| Coefficients of static and kinetic friction (horizontal plane method) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T549 |
| Test Description: | The coefficient of friction of printing and writing papers is an indicator of the ease with which the top or bottom sheets of a stack of paper will slide across the succeeding sheet, such as occurs on the in-feed of a printing press or the sheet transport into a copier machine. A minimum value of the coefficient of friction is required to prevent double feeding of any sheets. | |
| Color of paper and paperboard (d/0,C/2),(45/0, C/2) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T527(d/0,C/2) TAPPI T524(45/0,C/2) ISO 11475 (D65 10°) |
| Test Description: | The color appearance of paper and paperboard is important for its aesthetic value in marketing packaged products, as an aid to the distribution of multi-ply forms; to differentiate pages or sections of published literature, in artwork, and in many other applications. A numerical definition of color is essential to good quality control and to customer-producer relationships. | |
| Curl in a pack of sheets | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 14968 (pack of sheets) ISO 11556(single sheet) |
| Test Description: | The purpose of this method is usually to test the inherent curl of the paper at the moisture content that it has immediately following its removal from a ream, or after processing in a copier or other printing device. | |
| Dust Content | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | Paper dust, whether it be from mineral or slitting, can have an adverse effect on a printers feed system. With the feed rollers taking on dust, misfeeds and jams are more apt to occur. | |
| Fluorescence component (d/0) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T525 |
| Test Description: | Fluorescent whitening agents (FWA), optical brightening agents (OBA) and fluorescent brightening agents (FBA) are usually added to the furnish or coating of paper to increase it’s “blueish tint". In this manner the reemission of near-UV light as blue light increases the apparent whiteness of the paper. | |
| Formation | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | The term “formation", as applied to paper, means the relative uniformity of distribution of fibers in the paper sheet. Non-uniformity, or poor formation, commonly arises because flocculation occurs in the fiber suspension from which the paper is made. This flocculation may occur prior to the delivery of the suspension to the drainage section of the paper machine or in the drainage section itself, and in either case results in poor formation. Formation depends on complex interactions of equipment, fiber and paper making parameters. | |
| Brightness of pulp, paper, and paperboard (457 nm) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T452(GE brightness directional) T571(d/0) T525 (ISO Diffuse) ISO 2470 (d/0) |
| Test Description: | Blue-light reflectance measurements were originally designed to provide an indication of the amount of bleaching that has taken place in the manufacture of pulp. The higher the blue-light reflectance, generally the whiter the products will appear. The method provides a simple single-number index useful for comparing similar white materials; however, colored materials are better identified by using a standardized three-dimensional color space. | |
| Surface Strength of Paper (IGT Tester) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T499 |
| Test Description: | Many printing and converting operations require the surfaces of the paper to have sufficient z-direction strength to give satisfactory results. Since no absolute values are obtained with this method, test results should be correlated with actual performance of the material during the subsequent coating, converting, printing or packaging operation | |
| K & N Ink Absorbency Test | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI RC-19 |
| Test Description: | A test used to quickly determine the degrees of ink absorbency for various papers, in which a nondrying ink containing a soluble dye is thickly applied to several overlapped paper samples and allowed to sit for two minutes. The ink is then wiped off the samples, and the different degrees of color depth of the ink stains on the various samples are compared, the greater density of color indicating the highest ink absorbency. The K and N test provides best results on coated papers, and can also be used to test the uniformity of ink absorption across the surface of a single sheet. | |
| Bristow Test | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM D 5455 |
| Test Description: | The Bristow test provides a measure of the short-term absorption of water or other liquids by paper. The U.S. Postal Service has used this test method to predict the drying times of bar codes sprayed onto envelopes by inkjet. The Bristow test is also used to measure ink absorption by paper for a variety of printing purposes. The particular significance of this test method is its ability to characterize the absorptive properties of a paper or paper product surface independent of the thickness or bulk of the material under test. | |
| Folding endurance of paper (MIT tester) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T511 ISO 5626 |
| Test Description: | Folding endurance tests have been used to estimate the ability of paper to withstand repeated bending, folding, and creasing. | |
| Opacity of paper (d/0 paper backing) | ||
| References Standard: | TAPPI T519 ISO 2471 |
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| Test Description: | Diffuse opacity, expressed as a percentage, is given by the ratio of the diffuse luminous reflectance factor of a single sheet with black backing (Y0) to that with a backing consisting of a pad of the same paper (Y?), multiplied by 100, i.e., (100 × Y0/ Y?). | |
| Cutting (edge) Quality | ||
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References Standard: | Din EN 12281 |
| Test Description: | The cutting quality of the edges of a sheet is determined by comparison with a series of cutting quality values at a magnification of 42x | |
| Moisture in pulp, paper and paperboard | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T412 ISO 287 |
| Test Description: | Moisture is significant for economic reasons and for its effect on such properties as printability, shrinkage, dimensional stability, physical strength, and paper runnability. | |
| Bending resistance (stiffness) of paper | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T566 ISO 2493 TAPPI T543 ISO 5628 |
| Test Description: | Bending resistance of paper having low grammage, high flexibility, or both relates to a number of end use applications including wrapping, printing, copy machine performance, high speed mechanical handling of documents and other applications. | |
| Air Permeance | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T547(Sheffield) TAPPI T 460 (Gurly) |
| Test Description: | The air permeance of paper may be used as an indirect indicator of variables such as: degree of beating, absorbency (penetration of oil, water, etc.), apparent specific gravity, and filtering efficiency for liquids or gases. Air permeance is influenced by the internal structure and also surface finish. Internal structure is controlled largely by the type and length of fibers, degree of hydration, orientation, and compaction of the fibers; as well as by the type and amount of fillers and sizing. The measurement of air permeance is a useful control test for machine production, but due to the number and complexity of factors outlined above, careful judgment should be used in the specification limits for air permeance." | |
| Resistivity | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM D4949 |
| Test Description: | Resistivity or conductivity may be used to predict, indirectly, the low-frequency dielectric breakdown and dissipation factor properties of some materials. Resistivity or conductivity is often used as an indirect measure of moisture content, degree of cure, mechanical continuity, and deterioration of various types. | |
| Internal bond strength (Scott type) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T569 |
| Test Description: | Internal bond strength as defined in this method is indicative of the serviceability and processability of many types of paper and paperboard. These include printing papers, cover, label, release, linerboard, carton, carrier, newsprint and others. Test results often correlate with high speed surface and internal structural failures encountered in both printing and converting operations. | |
| Set Time of Media | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | A measure of the rate of ink absorption into a substrate to the point at which no image transfer, smear, or surface damage occurs when in contact with another surface. | |
| Gloss of paper and paperboard | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T480 ISO 8254-1 (75 deg) ASTM D523 (60 deg) |
| Test Description: | This method is for measuring the specular gloss of paper at 75° (15° from the plane of the paper). Although its chief application is to coated papers, it is also used for a variety of uncoated papers.Gloss is associated with the capacity of a surface to reflect more light in directions close to the specular than in others. Measurements by this test method correlate with visual observations of surface shininess | |
| Roughness of paper and paperboard (Sheffield method) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T538 ISO 8791-3 ( Sheffield) Tappi T555 ISO 8791-4 (Parker Print Surf) |
| Test Description: | This method is a measurement of the air flow between the specimen (backed by flat glass on the bottom side) and two pressurized, concentric annular lands that are impressed into the sample from the top side. The rate of air flow is related to the surface roughness of paper or paperboard. | |
| Tearing resistance of paper (Elmendorf-type method) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T414 ISO 1974 |
| Test Description: | This method measures the force perpendicular to the plane of the paper required to tear multiple plies through a specified distance after the tear has been started using an Elmendorf-type tearing tester. The measured results can be used to calculate the approximate tearing resistance of a single sheet. It is not suitable for single-ply tear testing; a separate method for single-ply tear will be available. | |
| Tensile properties of paper and paperboard | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T494 ISO 1924--2 |
| Test Description: | Tensile strength is indicative of the strength derived from factors such as fiber strength, fiber length, and bonding. For quality control purposes, tensile strength has been used as an indication of the serviceability of many papers which are subjected to a simple and direct tensile stress. Tensile strength can also be used as an indication of the potential resistance to web breaking of papers such as printing papers during printing on a web-fed press or other web fed converting operations. | |
| Sheet Size Precision | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | Sheet Size Precision assesses the amount of dimensional variation of cut sheet paper within a ream. A ream of paper is aligned on a long and short edge using a paper jogger. Short and long samples are extracted from the aligned ream and measured optically with the ImageXpert scanning system. Per the RIT test method. | |
| Ream Sheet Count | ||
| References Standard: | RIT Test Method | |
| Test Description: | The number of sheets within a ream | |
| Perforation / Fold | ||
| References Standard: | RIT Test Method | |
| Test Description: | the ability of the pages to be separated (cross page perforation tearing), as well as the ease and cleanliness of the removal of the tractor feed strips on either side of the page | |
| Surface strength of paper (wax pick test) | ||
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References Standard: | TAPPI T 459 |
| Test Description: | Many printing and converting operations require the surfaces of the paper to have sufficient z-direction strength to give satisfactory results. Since no absolute values are obtained with this method, test results should be correlated with the actual performance of the material during the subsequent coating, converting, printing or packaging operation | |
| CRI ( Contrast Resolution Index) Density, Tone Value Change (TVC) | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13656 ASTM F1206-94 |
| Test Description: | The density and background image quality is particularly significant relative to aesthetic appearance, the visual impression of blackness, and the ability to distinguish information from the background. | |
| Registration / Fan Out | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | Proper registration is achieved when each color image is placed in relationship to each other in alignment circumferential and laterally to the printing direction. The human eye can typically resolve 0.1 mm (.004 in.) at a normal reading distance of about 12 inches. All colors should maintain registration within ±.05 mm (± .002 in.). | |
| Hard Crease | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM F1351 |
| Test Description: | As a comparative test, this practice can be used to determine the damage caused by creasing paper, that is, damage to paper, coatings or images affixed to the paper and the loss of image quality and legibility that can result from creasing. | |
| Ink Strike Through ( IST ) | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | When the ink printed on one side of the sheet penetrates the paper and is visible on the other side due to ink problems. It differs from show-through where the problem results from lack of opacity in the paper. Also referred to as bleed through. | |
| Ink Trapping | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13656 |
| Test Description: | The overlapping of adjoining colors or ink to help prevent the possibility of a fine white area showing between colors due to misregistration of color negatives or due to normal variations on the press. | |
| Line Raggedness | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13660 |
| Test Description: | The appearance of geometric distortion of an edge from its ideal position. A ragged edge appears rough or wavy rather than smooth or straight. The measure of raggedness is the standard deviation of the residuals from a line fitted to the edge threshold of the line (calculated perpendicular to the fitted line). | |
| Line Bleed | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13660 |
| Test Description: | Bleed occurs when one color wicks, or migrates, into an adjacent color. Bleed reported “Line Growth" is the difference in line width between a four-pixel line printed with no adjacent color, and a four-pixel line printed into an adjacent color. A positive “Line Growth" number is a larger line width in an adjacent color | |
| Mid Tone Print Mottle | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13660 |
| Test Description: | Aperiodic fluctuations of density at a spatial frequency less than 0,4 cycles per millimeter in all directions. The measure of mottle across the ROI is the standard deviation of the mi, where mi, is the average of density measurements within tile i. | |
| Pick Count | ||
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References Standard: | RIT Test Method |
| Test Description: | Ink pick on paper is the damage of the paper surface caused during printing: the damage may be coating or fiber lift. When the printing form is lifted off the paper, the ink exerts a force on the paper. | |
| Specular gloss of paper and paperboard at 75 degrees | ||
| References Standard: | TAPPI T480 | |
| Test Description: | This method is for measuring the specular gloss of paper at 75° (15° from the plane of the paper). Although its chief application is to coated papers (1), it is also used for a variety of uncoated papers. This method is widely used as a partial measure of the surface quality and shiny appearance of coated paper. | |
| Solid Print Mottle | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13660 |
| Test Description: | Mottle is the fluctuation of density within a solid area of a single color and is characterized by a blotchy, uneven appearance in solid areas. This fluctuation is typically due to ink/media interactions. | |
| Abrasion Resistance of Printed Materials by the Sutherland Rub Tester | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM D5264 |
| Test Description: | Abrasion resistance is a desirable and sometimes critical property of printed materials. Abrasion damage can occur during shipment, storage, handling, and end use. The result is a significant decrease in product appearance and legibility of product information. The amount of abrasion damage to a printed substrate is dependent on shipping conditions, possibly temperature and humidity, time, and many other variables. This practice provides a way of comparing abrasion resistance of printed materials under laboratory conditions. | |
| Abrasion Resistance of Images Produced from Copiers and Printers (Taber Method) | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM F1478 |
| Test Description: | This test method may be used to determine image resistance to damage or deterioration as a result of exposure to abrasive forces, such as automated document handling devices | |
| Dry Time | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM F2498 - 05 (inkjet) ASTM D5909 - 96a (Litho Inks) |
| Test Description: | Procedure for assessing the drying time of black and white or color images produced by inkjet printers by smudging. Procedure for determining the drying time of oxidative-drying printing inks (also referred to as “sheet-fed inks") | |
| Color Spectrum (Gamut or Chroma) | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM F1206 |
| Test Description: | This test method is used to evaluate the color output capability of color printer/plotters or copiers. The color copy, print, or plot is measured such that the results can be correlated to human color vision | |
| Measurement of Curl in Cut-Sized Office Paper | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM D4825 |
| Test Description: | Curl in cut sized paper plays an important part in how paper performs in its intended use. Frequently cut-sized papers are used in duplicators and copy machines operating at high speeds. Inherent curl, that is, curl in the ream before entering the process and curl developed during the imaging process, can affect its performance, especially if duplexing (two-sided printing) or collating is involved. Common problems experienced include jamming and misregistration. | |
| Runnability | ||
| References Standard: | RIT / Test Method DIN EN 12281 |
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| Test Description: | Printers are set up to the manufacturer’s specifications prior to printing the sample media. Each media type is evaluated for paper jam rate. Jamming problems from friction, stiffness, curl, smoothness and resistively may be observed when running specific media for extended periods of time | |
| Adhesion by Tape Test | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM D 3359 (laminate) ASTM F2252 -03 (printed) |
| Test Description: | If a coating is to fulfill its function of protecting or decorating a substrate, it must adhere to it for the expected service life. Because the substrate and its surface preparation (or lack of it) have a drastic effect on the adhesion of coatings, a method to evaluate adhesion of a coating to different substrates or surface treatments, or of different coatings to the same substrate and treatment, is of considerable usefulness in the industry" | |
| Background | ||
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References Standard: | ISO 13660 |
| Test Description: | The copy image quality is affected by many factors; including the copier, supplies, and environmental conditions. The density and background image quality is particularly significant relative to aesthetic appearance, the visual impression of blackness, and the ability to distinguish information from background. | |
| Highlighter smear | ||
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References Standard: | ASTM F1857 |
| Test Description: | The evaluation objective is to measure the ink smear resistance to the ordinary office highlighter pen. The optical density of the highlighter mark is measured before and after running through a known size ink square. The difference is recorded as the delta in optical density. | |
| Determine page yield of a control cartridge(s) and a test cartridge(s). | ||
| References Standard: | ASTM F1856 | |
| Test Description: | This practice can be used for the evaluation of new and remanufactured toner cartridges and their respective components used in an electrophotographic process. | |
| Determine page yield of toner cartridges | ||
| References Standard: | ISO/IEC 19752 (mono) ISO 19798 (color) |
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| Test Description: | Evaluation of toner cartridge yield for toner containing cartridges (i.e. all-in-one toner cartridges and toner cartridges without a photo-conductor) for monochrome and color electrophotographic printers. | |
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