TAPPI T555

Introducing TAPPI T555 – Industrial Physics  

TAPPI T555 is a TAPPI international testing standard that will help you to measure the roughness of paper and paperboard using the Print-surf method. 

This TAPPI testing method simulates the nip pressures and backing substrates found during the printing process. It’s applicable to coated and uncoated papers and paperboards which are intended to be printed by contacting printing processes.  

The measuring principle, that of determining the resistance to flow or air between the test surface and a metal band in contact with it, is similar to that employed in TAPPI T538 Roughness of Paper and Paperboard (Sheffield Method).  

The major difference between this and other air leak testing methods is that the metal band dimensions, clamp pressures and composition of the measuring nip are all intended to simulate printing process conditions. 

Why is surface roughness testing important?

Surface roughness testing using the TAPPI T555 test is important as it can guide the choice of paper and paperboard you use. The smoothness of your paper materials will affect their printability. Additionally, paper roughness affects properties such as the coefficient of friction, gloss, and coating absorption. 

TAPPI T555 surface roughness testing  

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your TAPPI T555 surface roughness testing? 

Parker Print-Surf (Single Head) 58-06
When you need to measure the surface roughness of anything from fine paper to films and foils, you’ll find all you need wrapped up in the Parker Print surface roughness tester. The data collected from our surface roughness tester shows you how much ink to use and the way it should be applied. This helps you to avoid costly, time-consuming printing problems. 

PROFILE/Plus® Roughness & Porosity 

For high-quality printing with uniform ink coverage you need a uniform paper surface. This efficient, automated paper roughness and porosity measurement device will make sure you achieve this. 

​It’s efficient and accurate, with an average seven-second testing process. A versatile machine – the only standalone roughness tester that offers you built-in paper feed and your choice of porosity and two-sided roughness measurement simultaneously. 

Need TAPPI T555 surface roughness testing solutions? Get in touch

At Industrial Physics it’s our job to take any tension from your smoothness testing! We’ve been designing and building surface roughness testers for many years and we’ve learnt a thing or two about paper testing best practice along the way.  

We like to share this expertise across the knowledgebase section of our website where you’ll find blogs like this one – how to test surface porosity with three techniques or this one – a comparison of two variables of common roughness / smoothness testers.

If you have any further questions then don’t hesitate to get in touch!  

Contact us – Industrial Physics 

Your global test and measurement partner for TAPPI T555