AMHERST, Mass.--Nov. 4, 2002--For the first time, HP Indigo press users have access to a new uncoated printing paper that performs very well on press and delivers top print quality without the need for special treatments. The untreated paper--"inspire" by Eastern Paper--is specially engineered for HP Indigo presses. The paper, which substantially cuts both paper and total print job costs, is expected to greatly expand markets for HP Indigo press production, including book publishing, direct mail and variable data printing. News of the printing paper innovation is a significant development for HP Indigo and its North American user base. Solving a challenge that printers faced in the past, "inspire" has lasting shelf life before and after it runs on press. The paper also delivers unmatched on-press performance, increased ink adhesion and greatly reduced press "blanket memory." "I can literally unwrap the paper, load it in my Indigo press and print," explains Kent Phillips, general manager of Advantage Press, Saratoga Springs, NY. "It's extremely economical and it opens up new business opportunities for us. Inspire improves our workflow because of its archival integrity. It's a big breakthrough for Indigo press owners and operators." Other commercial printers like Advantage Press have beta tested the paper and so have HP Indigo test centers in the U.S. All report that "inspire" performs flawlessly on press and produces high-resolution, true color images--with no yellowing. The papers have been certified by the Rochester Institute of Technology and run on HP Indigo 1000 and 3000 presses. "This new untreated paper greatly enhances the capabilities, applications and competitiveness of the HP Indigo technology and will enable our printers to enter new markets while reducing costs," said Judy Finlay, substrate business development manager for HP Indigo USA. Inspire will be offered to HP Indigo press owners/operators at prices competitive with uncoated papers regularly sold into the color laser printing market, Eastern Paper executives said. It can be ordered through North American printing paper merchants. The paper has more stiffness and body than treated papers of comparable weights. As a result, the lower weight "inspire" papers can be used, generating extra profits per job, Phillips said. Substituting an 80-pound text paper for a 100-pound text paper, for example, generates a 20% yield advantage that translates to lower paper costs. Eastern Paper's initial launch of "inspire" is in 70- and 80-pound text weights. The company will offer additional text and cover weights by early 2003. "Inspire" is a recycled paper that meets the U.S. government standard for 30% post-consumer waste equivalency. It features a 94-brightness. Eastern Paper CEO Joseph Torras said the company has applied for a U.S. patent on the papermaking technology used to create "inspire." He also said Eastern Paper has formally sought patents for use on coated papers so they also will not need special pre-press treatment for HP Indigo machines. Privately-held Eastern Paper is headquartered in Amherst, Mass., with fully integrated pulp and paper manufacturing operations in Brewer and Lincoln, Maine. Eastern's recycled uncoated writing, text and cover printing paper brands--inspire, eColor, eCover, Docupaque, eWriting and Certificate Laser--are made for digital laser printers. The papers are distributed via North American paper merchants. Contact Eastern Paper at 800-341-1750 or [email protected] for more information about Inspire. Information on the product and company is also available on the website, www.easternpaper.com.