Multipurpose paper does exactly what it says on the tin - from leaflets to office reports and accounts, it can be used for most types of jobs. However, there are a raft of grades suited for different jobs. Take, for example, heavier grades, which give a more prestigious feel and are better suited to invitations, compared to lightweight, white multipurpose, which is perfect for general office work.

It's also worth making sure that the grade suits the technology you're using. If you're running pre-printed offset litho stock through a laser printer, the heat of the laser's fuser may cause some degeneration in the offset image, while the high levels of heat from a copier may cause paper curl.

New applications
With the quality of digital print improving, some new applications are being utilised. According to Justin Hobson, marketing director at Fenner Paper: "One of these uses is the production of ‘limited-run book proofs', where a printer will digitally print a small number of copies, maybe a dozen or so, for the client before the main run which is being printed litho."  
Ideally, in order to make sure the proof is accurate, both runs must be on the same paper. However, papers made for offset litho are not always suitable for digital presses. "They may need to be sapphire treated, a process that improves toner adhesion," adds Hobson.

True multipurpose paper should have a full range of laser, copier, monochrome, and inkjet guarantees, without treatment or special handling, but these grades are few and far between, warns Hobson.

Peter Harrison, operational marketing manager for fine papers at Antalis, adds: "The demand for short-run and personalised print jobs has been the driving force behind print in recent times. This has increased the desire for multipurpose papers that are flexible across a variety of platforms and has, in turn, influenced our product development cycle."

Pari Taylor, marketing and PR coordinator at Fedrigoni UK says: "Economies of scale in paper purchasing are now not just a printer's way of thinking. Designers and end-users are starting to think about buying larger pack sizes of paper with multipurpose abilities." 

There are several new products hitting the market designed to be more versatile.

WHAT'S NEW IN MULTIPURPOSE PAPER

• Environmental credentials at paper merchant James McNaughton Group were recognised in last month’s Sunday Times Top 60 Best Green Companies 2009. Kent-based McNaughton reached 38th position and is the only merchant in the list
• Premier Beswick responded to digital customer demand for a fully recycled paper grade by becoming the first merchant to stock Evolution Indigo in March. It said the uncoated paper range, which is specifically developed for HP Indigo printing, technology was 100% recycled
• The Fedrigoni Group reported a 6.2% increase in turnover to €665m (£576m) for its 2008 consolidated financial report, despite difficult market conditions
• Arjowiggins Graphic launched the Cocoon range, which is manufactured from FSC-certified and recycled de-inked pulp
• Premier Beswick, the merchant division of the Premier Group, began stocking the entire Multi Brand range. It includes MultiCopy Original, MultiCopy Colour Laser, MultiCopy Inkjet and MultiLaser