HAMILTON, Ohio--Sept. 27, 2004-- SMART Papers today introduced the most complete new line of premium untreated printing papers for HP Indigo press owners. The new cast coated, matte coated, uncoated text and cover and lightweight label papers are competitively priced, readily available, archival quality and have no shelf-life issues. The new IN-fusion line contains three of SMART Papers' well-known brands--mirror-gloss, ultra-smooth cast coated Kromekote, premium uncoated Carnival and matte coated Knightkote. All are available throughout North America via a large selection of local paper merchants, a listing of which is available on the SMART Papers website, www.smartpapers.com. The papers were developed in close collaboration with HP Indigo press owners and are backed by a SMART Papers guarantee. The papers have been extensively tested at commercial print locations across the U.S. High-volume tests show excellent ink adhesion and no adverse effect on press blanket-life. The papers deliver superior graphic results with vivid color reproduction for premium printing applications. "After working closely with HP Indigo press owners and operators over the years, we know the demands of the product well," said Tim Needham, CEO and president of SMART Papers. "We know what is needed when it comes to quality, pricing, specific press requirements and widespread availability." SMART Papers first introduced papers for HP Indigo presses in early 2001 and has been one of the paper industry's leading providers of specialty HP Indigo papers since. The new line includes Kromekote C1S and C2S in 10- and 12-pt cover, Knightkote Matte 80-lb. text and cover, Carnival Stellar White in 80- and 100-lb. text and cover and 60-lb. Kromekote Litho C1S premium glossy label paper. No other papermaker offers untreated cast coated sheets or label papers--and no other papermaker offers such a wide range of coated and uncoated products for HP Indigo presses. Other papers for HP Indigo presses now in R&D; custom-made papers also offered SMART Papers is currently working on additional basis weights, colors and sizes including pressure sensitive face sheets to join the new line. SMART Papers said it is also producing customized papers for HP Indigo presses--papers designed and produced for specific end-use applications, from labels to direct mail. "We have a very reliable technology which can expand across our product line base," said Chuck DeWitt, Director of Product Management for SMART Papers. "We did extensive print trials on each of the grades to present a complete line of guaranteed products to serve the market." Additional commercial tests on IN-fusion are pending at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). IN-fusion sheets are optimized for HP Indigo presses and are compatible with traditional offset and laser presses. Their applications include books and book covers, direct mail, packaging, identification cards, web printing applications, financial services and high-end small business collateral. The new untreated papers feature an additive that is infused into the paper surface and fibers. The additive penetrates the entire sheet rather than being a topical sapphire treatment. Without the special sapphire treatment, paper shelf-life concerns are eliminated. DeWitt said SMART Papers will continue to inventory a range of sapphire-treated papers for press owners who still want them. SMART Papers is one of the nation's largest independent manufacturers of premium, cast coated, matte coated and uncoated printing papers. In addition to the new IN-fusion line, SMART Digital brands include Kromekote Inkjet, Kromekote Laser High Gloss, Kromekote Tuffkote, Knightkote Matte, Carnival and Benefit. The SMART Digital papers line features more than 120 stocked items in a variety of weights and sizes. Its papers are distributed worldwide. SMART Digital papers run on all of today's digital printing equipment produced by leading OEMs including Xerox, HP, Kodak, Canon, Epson, Oce and Heidelberg. In addition, SMART Papers produces papers for all desktop- and production-rated digital printing equipment, including black and white and color lasers, inkjet and DI press technology. SMART Papers is the publisher of "Today's Digital Imaging, Version 4.0," an easy-to-read 90-page digital printing guide with the latest information on papers, printers, presses and digital printing technology. A new edition of the book, produced with Weymouth, Mass.-based InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, is due out in early 2005. For more information on IN-fusion and SMART Digital papers, visit the SMART Papers website at www.smartpapers.com or phone 800-443-9773. For information about custom papers, phone Chuck DeWitt at 513-869-4635.