EN 12858:1999

Overview

EN 12858:1999 is a European Standard (CEN) titled Paper - Printing and business paper - Requirements for continuous stationery. It defines the requirements for uncoated paper intended for reel‑fed conversion and/or printing of continuous stationery into continuous forms. The standard covers the paper characteristics and performance criteria relevant to continuous‑form production and printing workflows. It explicitly excludes specific requirements for non‑impact printing, which must be agreed between supplier and customer.

Key Topics

The standard addresses practical and technical aspects that ensure reliable production and use of continuous stationery. Key topics include:

• Scope and definitions relevant to continuous stationery and reel‑fed conversion.
• Specification of requirements for uncoated paper intended for continuous‑form printing and converting.
• Performance and quality criteria that affect runnability, handling, and conversion into continuous forms.
• Supplier–customer agreements for aspects not covered by the standard (notably non‑impact printing requirements).

Note: EN 12858 describes the types of requirements and expectations for continuous stationery papers rather than prescribing requirements for non‑impact printing technologies.

Applications

EN 12858 is useful for organizations involved in the manufacture, conversion and use of continuous stationery:

• Paper mills and suppliers specifying uncoated reel‑fed papers for continuous form production.
• Converters that slit, perforate, fan‑fold or otherwise convert reels into continuous stationery.
• Commercial and industrial printers using impact and other compatible continuous‑feed printing equipment.
• Procurement and quality assurance teams drafting material specifications and purchase contracts for continuous stationery.
• Office supplies manufacturers producing multipart forms, invoices, and other continuous forms.

Using EN 12858 helps reduce processing problems (such as jams and misfeeds), improve print and conversion consistency, and clarify contractual quality expectations between suppliers and customers.

Related Standards

• EN 12858 is a CEN (European) technical specification for continuous stationery paper; organizations should also consult other CEN/ISO standards and industry guidelines that cover printing processes, paper testing methods, and non‑impact printing requirements. For non‑impact printing, specific parameters should be agreed contractually between supplier and customer.

Keywords: EN 12858, continuous stationery, uncoated paper, reel‑fed conversion, continuous forms, printing and business paper, CEN, requirements for continuous stationery.