Yupo® is a polypropylene-based synthetic paper produced by the Yupo company. When compared to traditional tree-based paper, the paper has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Since the 1970s, the company has been developing synthetic paper products. Yupo® is available for purchase directly from the company or through a network of distributors. Yupo® is available in a small number of art supply stores.
The paper is tear, stain, chemical, and water resistant, according to the Yupo company. It’s also extremely durable, making it ideal for applications where a product will be subjected to a lot of abuse over its lifetime. One of the most significant advantages of Yupo® is its long-term durability, as it outlasts conventional paper. Wipeable restaurant menus, waterproof maps, and other durable printed goods are all made with Yupo®.
Because Yupo® is made of plastic, printing on it requires special inks. It’s also not safe to use in copiers, fax machines, or laser printers because it’s heat-sensitive. It can be printed on with a standard offset press as long as the press does not produce too much heat during the printing process. Yupo® is also used by some artists because it produces a distinct and sometimes desired look, particularly in watercolors.
The paper has a smooth, glossy finish and is designed to be pH neutral. Yupo® is a paintable sheet of plastic that has been specially treated with chemicals to allow it to absorb inks. Because things like oil and dirt can disrupt the printing process, it’s critical to keep Yupo® clean before using it.
Yupo®, like many other plastics, has the potential to be recycled, though not all recycling facilities will accept it. Before discarding Yupo®, check with your local recycling facility, as impurities in a batch of recycling can cause the company to throw it out rather than process it. In a high-temperature, enriched-oxygen environment, the paper substitute can also be incinerated. Yupo® does not produce a lot of pollution when burned properly.
Because Yupo® is not made from trees, many people consider it to be an environmentally friendly alternative to paper. The company also makes an effort to produce the paper in an environmentally friendly manner. Yupo® can also be printed on with a waterless process, reducing pollution and water waste.