Supercalendered Paper Is Highly Polished Uncoated Stock

An uncoated alternative to lightweight coated paper

Champaign Gold Colored Paper Stacking
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The supercalendered paper is the most economical of the papers typically used in magazine publishing. It is often used for mass circulation publications, newspaper supplements, and direct advertising pieces. It has a bright, shiny finish that is unusual on an uncoated sheet.

What Is SuperCalendering?

In paper manufacturing, calendering is the process of smoothing the surface of the paper by pressing it between hard pressure cylinders or rollers — the calendars — at the end of the papermaking process. Calendering is a standard part of the papermaking process and occurs in-line as the paper is being manufactured. It is usually the last step of the process before the paper is cut to standard sizes. 

When an additional set of offline calendars called supercalenders are used after the initial papermaking process but before the paper is trimmed to size, they produce an even smoother and glossier paper called supercalendered paper or SC paper. The supercalender consists of several cylinders alternating between polished metal and soft resilient surfaces. The supercalender runs at high speed and applies pressure, heat, and friction to glaze both surfaces of the paper, making them smooth and glossy.

Supercalendered uncoated papers, which have a high gloss due to the supercalendering process, are exceptionally smooth and provide a high-quality surface for printing color photos and fine-line images. Coated papers provide a superior printing surface, but they are more costly.

The supercalendered paper is a relatively recent addition to paper manufacturing. It was designed to provide a high-quality, less expensive alternative to lightweight coated papers.

Uses for Supercalendered Paper

The highest grade of supercalendered paper is typically used for magazines. It is the most economical paper that meets the demanding requirements of these publications. In lower grades of supercalendered paper, the glazing that occurs during supercalendering makes the paper thinner and more translucent. It also reduces stiffness, which makes the ​paper less suitable for some purposes. The grades of the paper reflect their opacity and stiffness.​

Grades of Supercalendered Paper

The supercalendered paper comes in several grades: SC A+, SC A, and SC B. Although all SC papers are high-quality options for magazine and catalog printing, the grades differ in finish and opacity. The SC A+ grade paper has a superior gloss compared to the other grades; it is more opaque and it costs more. The lower grades are suitable for catalogs, special interest magazines, and advertising material.