kromekote c1s alterantives: carolina c1s , mohawk 50/10 cast coated , bindakote

[Jeff]

The price we pay for kromekote c1s has gone up by about 40% this year and one more increase could make it cost prohibitive, so I thought I should see if there are any equally good alternatives.

Anyone switch from kromekote to international paper carolina, mohawk 50/10 cast coated, or bindakote C/1S digital?

This is for printing with a xerox docucolor.

 

[Jeff]

Well, I requested sample sheets of carolina but got a swatchbook instead... but it doesn't look like what I'm after. It's not a mirror-finish at all like kromekote, much less glossy and looks more like a spackle finish of gloss (Not sure what the correct term is, but it's not a continuous/mirror gloss look like kremokote at all.)

Waiting for samples of the others.

 

[k_graham]

The price we pay for kromekote c1s has gone up by about 40% this year and one more increase could make it cost prohibitive, so I thought I should see if there are any equally good alternatives.

Anyone switch from kromekote to international paper carolina, mohawk 50/10 cast coated, or bindakote C/1S digital?

This is for printing with a xerox docucolor.

Last time we bought Xerox Supreme Gloss - looks like kromekote - maybe made by them - but Xerox Supreme Gloss was less.

Carolina looks like Cornwall coat - may need to specify as gloss to run slower and get to bond - Xerox Supreme Gloss runs fine as Heavy2.

Interested in the other ones mentioned.

Ken

 

[Jeff]

Thanks very much Ken!

I didn't even know there was a xerox supreme gloss -- when I first got my docucolor I got a couple reams of xerox elite gloss which is like a slick in 80 and 100 lb weights but I didn't like the feel as well as either sterling ultra gloss or hammermill gloss color copy for that type of paper. I didn't realize they had a "supreme" kromekote-like in their line, but will definitely grab some now and see how it is for me compared to kromekote Thanks very much!

 

[k_graham]

Thanks very much Ken!

I didn't even know there was a xerox supreme gloss -- but will definitely grab some now and see how it is for me compared to kromekote Thanks very much!

Your welcome Jeff; keep in mind it is 1 sided but thats what you asked about. Available in 8, 10 and 12 point. 8.5x11, 11x17 & 12x18

It was originally called Super Gloss, was in 100 sheet boxes. Then they changed it to Supreme Gloss and wrapped it in 250's. Price was less than Kromecoat but I bought quite a bit several months ago - things change.

Good Business card stock, I've been running it Heavy2 setting but may set brightness lower to make up for the high heat setting if I find too much saturation.

Tell me if you find something better.

Ken

 

[Jeff]

Well, I've stuck with Kromekote for the last 3 years, but today when I went to order my usual monthly kromekote order, I was told that kromekote c1s 8pt was now discontinued by the manufacturer and there would be no more.

So I will need to find a new favorite cast coated gloss stock. I'm not sure whether it will be xerox supreme/super gloss (if that will still be available - I got samples and it was very similar to kromekote and printed almost equally well) or Mohawk color copy ultra gloss or something else.

 

[Jeff]

I first tried switching to Mohawk Ultra Gloss.
It's more expensive which is a downside.
The Mohawk Ultra Gloss itself has a very perfect mirror finish surface and a good stiffness. Opacity of the 8pt is ok but not great.
Printed on my docucolor 242 in enhanced gloss mode, the Mohawk Ultra gloss might be slightly too glossy in any pure gloss areas. I don't like it better than the old kromekote c1s that was about perfect for my needs. The Mohawk Ultra Glosss also curled some in the finisher tray requiring me to remove it every so often or it would stop with a stacker full error. It collated well though, and overall was nice. If the price was the same as the old kmorekote I would probably stick with it.

However, I then tried the new Xerox Super Gloss which also changed the same time as the old kromekote was discontinued. (It was Xerox Superior Gloss C1S last year and is now Xerox Super Gloss. (again maybe) I tried a test carton and this will be my new C1s of choice.
Looking at the unprinted sheets, the Xerox Super Gloss has a mirror cast coated surface that isn't quite as perfect as the Mohawk Ultra Gloss - it has a tiny bit more scuffing when viewing from an angle the blank sheets. The Xerox Super Gloss 8pt is also slightly less stiff than the Mohawk Ultra Gloss 8pt. Opacity is about the same to my eye.
However, printed on my Docucolor 242 I find the printed result is equally good to the new Mohawk. The gloss is just right and any tiny "scuffing" in the mirror cast coating doesn't show once it's printed - I can't detect it looking very, very closely. It also stacks perfectly in the finisher tray, not that this is a huge issue, and collates fine. Overall, the pricepoint of the Xerox Super Gloss will make this my new C1s of choice.

 

[dditzler]

Xerox SuperGloss no longer sold, some paper still available

However, I then tried the new Xerox Super Gloss which also changed the same time as the old kromekote was discontinued. (It was Xerox Superior Gloss C1S last year and is now Xerox Super Gloss. (again maybe) I tried a test carton and this will be my new C1s of choice.

...Overall, the pricepoint of the Xerox Super Gloss will make this my new C1s of choice.

It looks like this is no longer sold, but still available. Any other good options?

http://na-supplies.xerox.com/is-bin...h=true&SubCategoryID=_y8KhlNF7G8AAAE3Rb1aMkwI