Newsprint is typically produced using a process called papermaking, which involves breaking down wood fibers and mixing them with water to create a slurry called pulp. The pulp is then poured onto a wire mesh conveyor belt, where the water drains away, leaving behind a sheet of paper. The paper is then pressed, dried, and rolled up into large reels for storage.
The composition of newsprint can vary depending on the specific requirements of the newspaper publisher. Some newsprint may contain a mixture of recycled and virgin fibers, while others may be made entirely from recycled materials. The color of newsprint is typically gray or off-white, as it is not typically bleached.
Newsprint is often coated with a thin layer of clay to help prevent the ink from bleeding through the paper and improve print quality. This coating can also help to reduce dust and improve the overall durability of the paper.
Due to its lightweight and low-cost nature, newsprint is also commonly used for other printing applications such as catalogs, flyers, and magazines. However, it is not typically used for printing high-quality images or documents that require a long shelf life, as it is not as durable as other types of paper.