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Comparisons

MF paper vs MG paper

MG is glazed on one side, for print. MF is even on both sides, for general work. Choose MG when the sheet has to carry print.

Part of Paper finishes explained

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01 / Side by side

The two finishes, row by row

MF and MG paper as KEIKO PAPERS supplies them. Figures from the specification sheet.
MF paperMG paper
FinishMachine-finished, both sidesMachine-glazed, one side
How the finish is madeSmoothed in-line during makingDried against a large polished cylinder
Printing faceEither side, evenlyThe glazed face
KEIKO gradesWhite MFWhite MG, brown MG
GSM40–8040–80
MOQ1 tonne per GSM and width · 100 reams per sheet size1 tonne per GSM and width

MF paper

Wins: An even sheet either way up, so you never orient the web. The default across mixed work.

Loses: A glazed MG face holds finer print detail.

MG paper

Wins: A smooth, closed face for clean ink and a finished look.

Loses: Only one face is glazed. The reverse holds print less well.

A stack of white machine-finished paper with one sheet curling on top
White MF, matte and even on both faces.
A curled sheet of brown machine-glazed kraft paper over a stack of sheets
Brown MG, the glazed face catching the light.

02 / Making

How each finish is made

Machine glazing happens at the drying stage. The mill presses the wet web against a large polished cylinder. The side in contact comes away closed and glossy, and the reverse dries open and matte. One pass gives two different surfaces.

Machine finishing smooths the sheet in-line during making, with no glazing cylinder. The result is even on both faces, with no printing side and no reverse.

03 / Decide

How to decide

Choose MG when the sheet carries print or needs a finished look: printed wrap, bags, liners and retail packing. For colour accuracy, choose white MG over brown, since ink on brown shifts towards the base shade.

Choose MF for general wrapping, interleaving and converting, where an even sheet matters more than a glazed face.

Check food contact first. White MF is not for direct food contact. For either MG grade, ask us before food use. For food, use butter paper or OGR.

Questions

Before you specify

What does MG mean?

Machine-glazed. The mill dries the sheet against a polished cylinder, which closes and glazes one side. The reverse stays natural.

What does MF mean?

Machine-finished. The mill finishes the sheet evenly on both sides, with no one-sided glaze like an MG grade.

Does MF paper take print?

Yes, but a glazed MG face holds finer detail. For presentation work, start with MG.

Keep reading

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