L
LABEL PAPERS
A large variety of plain or colored body papers that are made to be gummed, or for application of a self-adhesive material, and afterwards cut into a vast number of shapes and sizes depending on end use and surface application.
LAID LINES
A continuous watermark consisting of very close parallel lines, usually associated with spaced lines (chain lines) at right angles to these.
LAMINATE
Lamination is to bond a plastic film to a printed sheet with heat and pressure for protection and give it a glossy finish. Also, it is the fusing of one or more layers of paper to acheive the desired thickness and quality.
LICK COATING
A light form of mineral coating, obtained by supplying the surface sizing press of the papermaking machine with coating material instead of normal surface sizing solution.
LIGNIN
A material in wood that binds its fibers together and reinforces its structure. Lignin is removed in the manufacture of chemical pulp.
LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING
Lithographic printing refers to a method of printing whereby the image areas, which are neither raised nor depressed, attract ink and the non-image areas repel ink. Most lithography is offset lithography in which the image is transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket, and then printed (offset) from the blanket onto the paper.
LONG GRAIN
See Short Grain.
LOOK-THROUGH
The appearance of the paper when held up to transmitted light. It reveals whether the formation is even and uniform or lumpy and “wild.” For book publishing papers, a regular, even look-through is desirable, indicating a well-made, uniform sheet.
