US Patent 11473245 Surface enhanced pulp fibers at a substrate surface

A paper product having improved printing characteristics and a method of making the paper product. This paper product has a fibrous substrate and top layer of surface enhanced pulp fibers that is integrally coupled to the top surface of the fibrous substrate. The paper product is produced by providing an aqueous slurry formed from a blend of cellulosic fibers and water and at least partially dewatering the aqueous slurry of cellulosic fibers and water to form the fibrous substrate. Subsequently, a surface treatment formed from an aqueous composition of water and surface enhanced pulp fibers is applied to the top surface of the fibrous substrate and thereafter the treated fibrous substrate is dried to form a paper product having enhanced printing characteristics.