What is the Difference Between MG vs. SG Glassine?
Created on 01.09
What’s the real difference between MG and SG Glassine?
It’s more than just industry jargon. Choosing the right type impacts performance, efficiency, and ultimately, the quality of your final product. Let’s break it down.
The Core Difference: The Finishing Process
Both Machine Glazed (MG) and Supercalendered Glassine (SG) start as dense, translucent paper made from highly refined chemical pulp. The divergence happens in the final calendering (finishing) stage.
- MG (Machine Glazed) Glassine: Undergoes calendering on a single, heated cylinder (the Yankee dryer). This produces a paper with a high-gloss finish on one side and a matte finish on the other. It’s an efficient, standard process that yields excellent grease resistance, smoothness, and a good barrier.
- SG (Supercalendered) Glassine: Goes through an additional, intensive process. It’s passed through a stack of alternating steel and fiber-covered rollers under high pressure and friction. This supercalendering action creates a paper that is denser, smoother, and has a very high, uniform gloss on both sides.
Why Does This Matter for Your Application?
The different processes lead to distinct technical and aesthetic profiles:
Feature | MG Glassine | SG Glassine |
Surface | One-side glossy, one-side matte | High, uniform gloss on both sides |
Density & Smoothness | High | Very High / Exceptional |
Barrier Properties | Excellent grease/air resistance | Superior grease/air/moisture vapor resistance |
Stiffness | Slightly higher | Slightly lower, more supple |
Printability | Excellent, especially on the glazed side | Outstanding on both sides; superior ink holdout and vibrancy |
Cost & Production | Standard, cost-effective | Premium, specialized process |
The Application Decision:
- Choose MG Glassine when you need reliable, cost-effective performance for: Interleaving, liner papers, bag constructions, and wrappers where single-side aesthetics are sufficient.
- Choose SG Glassine for premium applications where maximum barrier, unparalleled print quality, and a luxurious feel on both sides are critical. Think: High-end cosmetic wrappers, luxury food packaging (chocolate, confectionery), pharmaceutical backing, and high-gift labels.
In essence: MG is your workhorse, delivering exceptional value and performance. SG is your premium specialist, offering the ultimate in barrier, gloss, and printability for demanding, high-value applications.
At Hemingpaper, we engineer both MG and SG glassine rolls to precise specifications, ensuring you get the right material to protect your product, enhance your brand, and run efficiently on your converting lines.
What’s your experience? Do you have a challenging application where choosing between MG and SG was crucial? Share your thoughts now.
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