Why Educational Publishers Choose SYNAPS

Summer is almost over, which means it’s time to go back to school. Teachers around the country are getting ready to welcome a new class of students in just a few weeks, and part of their prep includes making sure they have all of the learning aids necessary to help those new students grow. School districts will be searching for flashcards, workbooks, worksheets, and resources that can withstand a full year’s worth of being passed around the classroom and tossed in backpacks. That’s why educational publishers choose SYNAPS.

What is SYNAPS?

SYNAPS is a synthetic polyester paper engineered to withstand the elements while providing a waterproof, tearproof alternative to lamination. What does this mean for educational publishers? It means they can produce durable educational materials that an educator can use time and time again, saving them time, money, and resources.

Why do educational publishers choose SYNAPS?

Educational publishers choose SYNAPS for four main reasons. SYNAPS is:

• Durable
• Writeable
• Versatile
• Sustainable

Publishers need to offer educators a product that won’t wear out after one class period of use. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the four reasons educational publishers choose SYNAPS.

Durable

Most U.S. states require students to be in school for roughly 180 days each year. That means all of the learning materials teachers use, everything from flashcards to workbooks, need to survive at least 180 days of in-class work, not to mention bus rides and dinner table study sessions. A standard piece of printer paper will not hold up when tossed in a student’s backpack. SYNAPS will.

SYNAPS XM offers an additional benefit: it’s treated with an antimicrobial coating that prevents 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold from growing on the sheet's surface over the lifetime of the printed application.

Writeable

In an era defined by technological advancements in and out of the classroom, a 2025 study showed that writing by hand is still vitally important for students’ memory retention. SYNAPS offers a smooth, writeable surface perfect for workbooks, worksheets, and other learning tools.

Versatile

SYNAPS is designed to meet the varied needs of educational publishers.

• SYNAPS XM is offered in a broad portfolio of sizes, available in 5, 8, 10, 12, and 14 mil digital cut sized sheets.
• SYNAPS OM is available in 5, 8, 10, and 14 mil digital cut sized sheets, as well as folio sheets.
• SYNAPS OM Wide Format offers additional widths for larger print jobs.

Whether you are printing a durable set of flashcards or a massive classroom poster, there is a SYNAPS solution for you.

Sustainable

Many educational publishers are committed to sustainability, and so is SYNAPS. SYNAPS is, by nature, sustainable. It is reusable and does not require lamination, cutting down on waste. Instead of purchasing new products for each student, or having to toss out used practice worksheets, educators that have SYNAPS in their classroom can share and reuse materials by simply erasing.

SYNAPS OM, OM Wide Format, and XM are all made with a minimum of 15% recycled polyester, certified by RecyClass, for an environmentally-friendly and responsible print media.

Educational publishers choose SYNAPS when they want a durable, reusable, diverse, and sustainable synthetic print media.

Publishers: Request a sample of SYNAPS today and see how you can help teachers by creating durable, reusable classroom resources!