What type of printing paper is transparent?

What type of paper and printing is used to print on PC Game Boxes?

• I am trying to find a strong paper-type or even plastic-type sheets that have the same feel and slightly stronger properties than card stock paper (notecard paper). Also I need a type of sheet that can be folded. So far, the closest type of sheets that I found are the same paper used to print pc game boxes (or standard computer parts boxes). The plastic type feeling on the printed side of the paper is pretty much what I am looking for ultimately. Does anyone know what type of paper and printing method is used to make these boxes? Even better, where I can find a manufacturer to print letter sized sheets of this kind of paper on both sides. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've searched all over the place and couldn't find what I am looking for.

• Answer:

  That plastic-feeling is not plastic, but actually the ink that you are feeling, more than likely! The ink leaves the paper feeling really smooth. Think back to how smooth a really expensive magazine page feels! Nice and glossy from all that ink! That's why the printed side feels different from the back side. You CAN however get a "coated stock" paper. This is a paper that has a surface coating applied to make the surface more receptive for the reproduction of text and images. The objective of coating the paper is to improve the smoothness and reduce the absorbency - meaning more ink sits on top of the paper instead of sinking in - making it smoother! You probably want a 60, 80, or 100 lb. weight paper as these are generally used for covers and such when printing. Things like this are generally printed on big 4-color process printing presses that have HUGE sheets of paper that go through four different rollers with ink. The sheets of paper are then sent through die-cutting machines, then automatically folded, and such to make the box. Depending on what you are doing with the paper, and what kind of resources you have (money, time, etc) will really affect what you can do. If you are actually looking to print a large amount of things, talk to a paper company such as Neenah Paper and see what they can do for you. They are paper experts!