Paper is universal but can be a relatively complicated business when trying to choose the right one for the job.
It can vary based on texture, size, material, thickness, weight, longevity, etc. And divided into 3 categories:
- Coated paper with surface coating
- wood free paper without coating
- and other specialty paper.
Although depending on what your purpose is, there should be no problem for most Japanese companies to fulfill any order.
(For more information about Japanese paper weight and size, Global Speed has a paper weight calculator and paper size chart under Resources )
Overall, there isn’t a huge difference with paper in the US and Japan except with the usage of bleach. American paper manufacturers tend to use it when manufacturing paper compared to paper mills here in this country.
Furthermore, the Japanese are mostly very sensitive about any type of chemicals that could be harmful to either the environment or one’s personal health. That same philosophy also translates over to food as well. Relative to many countries, there’s a huge premium placed here for more naturally- made products.
Even if the paper isn’t available in Japan, it can be imported from other countries to stay consistent with a company’s branding. Just be aware though the pricing and timeframe involved when considering substrates from abroad.
Depending on the quantity and where it’s being shipped from, delivery can range from weeks to months. Most customers though are more concerned about color consistency than the brand name of the material itself. Would be a huge nightmare for Coke if Coca-Cola red was inconsistent across the world, right?
In all, printing companies here can at least come very close to matching what you are looking for if the look and feel is still important.