According to paperpoint.com, converting or conversion is a post-press activity that transforms a flat printed press sheet into a three-dimensional object. While not many people understand the term paper converting, the process is translated as taking raw paper and transforming it into a finished product.
The Basics of Paper Converting
When referring to paper converting, the process typically includes the following steps:
- Paper made from wood fibers or tree uses raw wood that melts into pulp. The pulp will then be bleached, strained, flattened, and dried in a continuous roll of paper.
- The roll of paper is transformed and cut to the desired sizes. Generally, the process of cutting these rolls down is known as converting.
- The large rolls of paper will be converted into smaller sizes. This process also consists of many different phases, essential for making the finished product. Several methods came up often when describing the paper converting process, including printing a flat sheet, laminating, cutting, folding, assembling, and gluing.
Types of Converting Processes
Probably the most used type of converting process is the slitter or rewinder. This process takes the large rolls and unwinds the papers using a series of blades. The paper will be cut into smaller widths and rewinded into new rolls to desired measurements.
The most common paper converting processes are:
1) Sheeting
During this process, a sheeter takes a roll of paper and transforms it into sheets of paper. When looking to order sheets of paper, you need to consider what size of custom paper sheets may be helpful to you and then proceed with the order depending on your exact specifications.
2) Coating
An ordinary paper product will be turned into something with a particular purpose or even application in a paper coating process. Typically used in the food industry, the coating is ideal for creating labels, tags, tapes, water, or impermeable grease papers.
3) Laminating
Laminating takes an ordinary paper and turns it into something unique. You may need paper laminating if you want metalized paper for your gift wraps, point-of-purchase displays, or decorative packaging.
4) Flexographic Printing
This kind of printing process is typically known for disposable containers, cups, envelopes, paper sacks, corrugated containers, folding cartons, or candy and food wrappers. A flexographic printing machine can also create, for example, nacho trays, Chinese noodle soup boxes, pizza boxes, french fry trays, hamburger clamshells, etc.
If you are looking for diverse yet creative paper solutions, learn that flexo printing is integral to custom projects. Converting capabilities may also include trimming, die-cutting, scoring, hole punching, adhesive application, or customized and non-standard cutting.
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How Can Paper Converting Help You?
Depending on your company’s needs, a paper converter can turn a simple paper roll into various end products. A printing manufacturer can help you develop countless different paper solutions to meet your needs and make your business stand out from the crowd. Whether you need converting services in the health, food, beauty, house, beverage, or auto industries, paper converting can provide exquisite and high-quality custom paper products and packaging that will suit every occasion.
It is critical to understand that custom packaging typically gains the consumer’s attention and helps increase sales volume. So, if you are looking to create custom packaging or other paper products, then paper converting may be what you are looking for.
