Media Types

Front or reverse printing?

All media types in GMG OpenColor have been set up for front printing except the media type Film – Reverse Print. Reverse printing, also called subsurface printing, is printing a reversed image on the backside of a transparent media.

In the following tables, you find descriptions to help you categorize your media. The media type also indicates the compatibility of a medium for an existing characterization: If the production material is the same media type, the prediction engine is able to predict the print result even though it is not exactly the same medium as was used for the characterization. For example, if you used a White Matte medium for characterization and are now using a different, but still White Matte media type for the print production, you can reuse the existing characterization. If the production material is glossy, you might not use this characterization.

All front printed media with film-like surface characteristics. For example, PE/ PP/ OPP films, or special packaging media such as cardboard laminated before printing.

Media Type Description
Metallic + White Undercoat Metallic foil with white undercoat
(Please note that metallic effects from direct printing on the media with inks that are not completely opaque cannot be simulated.)
Transparent + White Undercoat Transparent film with a white undercoat printed on top of the film before the other inks are applied.
White Glossy White film with a glossy surface.
White Matte White film with a matte surface.
White Semimatte White film with a semimatte surface.
Prelaminated Cardboard
Cardboard that is laminated before printing, thus having a glossy, film-like surface.

All front printed media with film-like surface characteristics. For example, PE/ PP/ OPP films, or special packaging media such as cardboard laminated before printing.

Media Type Description
Transparent + White Reverse Print Transparent film with a white coating printed as a final layer on the other inks.

All kinds of paper-like media with a surface coating. For example, typical coated printing papers or cardboards used in packaging and publication printing such as GD 2 coated cardboard.

Media Type Description
Improved Coated Papers or boards with a good quality surface coating. For example, improved light or medium weight coated media (Improved LWC/MWC), or cardboards with similar surface qualities.
Machine Finished Coated Papers or boards with a medium quality surface coating. The surface texture of these media is produced in the papermaking process rather than in a separate coating step. For example, machine finished coated (MFC) papers, or cardboards with similar surface qualities.
Premium Coated Papers or boards with a high-quality surface coating. For example, Woodfree Coated (WFC), gloss, semimatte or matte coated media.
Standard Coated Papers or boards with a standard quality surface coating. For example, standard light or medium weight coated media (Standard LWC/MWC), or cardboards with similar surface qualities.

All kinds of paper-like media with uncoated surfaces. For example, typical uncoated printing papers or cardboards used in packaging and magazine printing.

Media Type Description
Improved Uncoated Uncoated papers or boards with an improved brightness level and a smooth surface. For example, INP Improved Newsprint papers and standard uncoated cardboard.
Standard Uncoated Uncoated papers with a standard, rather textured or “rough” surface. For example, SNP Standard Newsprint papers.
Super Calendered Uncoated Uncoated papers with a slightly glossy surface due to the process of super calendering. For example, SC-A and SC-B papers.
Premium Uncoated Premium uncoated papers or boards with a smooth surface. For example, Woodfree Uncoated (WFU), uncoated art papers, or high quality uncoated cardboard used in packaging and magazine printing.