Paper release liners are one of the most versatile and widely used materials in pressure-sensitive adhesive, composite, medical, and industrial manufacturing. A siliconized paper release liner protects adhesives, resins, and tacky materials during processing, converting, transportation, and final product use.
For more than 35 years, Fox River Associates has supplied high-performance paper release liners throughout North America. Our expertise spans every major market that depends on precision silicone coated release liners, including medical devices, tapes, roofing membranes, composites, graphics, and industrial rubber products.
Fox River Associates delivers the highest quality one side silicone coated release liners (S1S) and two side silicone coated release liners (S2S). For two side silicone coated release liners, our portfolio includes differential silicone coatings, allowing one side of the release liner to release differently than the other—an essential feature in many converting and laminating applications.
If you are sourcing paper release liners or siliconized paper release liners, our team can help identify the optimal substrate, silicone coating, and release level for your application.
Use the form on this page or call 1-800-647-6579 to speak with our release liner specialists.
What Is a Paper Release Liner?
A paper release liner is a paper substrate that has been coated with silicone to create a controlled release surface. The silicone coating prevents adhesives or resins from permanently bonding to the release liner, while still allowing the adhesive product to remain protected and stable during storage and processing.
Silicone coatings can be engineered to provide a wide range of release characteristics. These coatings are precisely formulated so adhesives release cleanly when needed without damaging the adhesive layer or the finished product.
Silicone coated release liners are available in one side silicone coated (S1S) and two side silicone coated (S2S) constructions. Many converting and manufacturing processes require differential silicone coatings, where the two sides of the release liner provide different release forces to control unwind performance or product assembly.
Paper release liners are used across nearly every adhesive-based manufacturing sector because they provide:
- dimensional stability during converting
- excellent compatibility with silicone release coatings
- cost-efficient protection for adhesive surfaces
- reliable performance in high-speed manufacturing
Silicone Coatings: The Technology Behind High-Performance Release Liners
The silicone coating is the functional layer that gives a release liner its controlled release properties. Without silicone, adhesives and resins would permanently bond to the substrate.
Fox River Associates supplies siliconized paper release liners with a wide range of release profiles designed for specific adhesives and converting environments.
Silicone coatings are engineered to deliver controlled release levels ranging from:
- Premium easy release for very aggressive adhesives
- Easy release for pressure-sensitive adhesives
- Medium release for balanced converting performance
- Tight release for laminations requiring stronger adhesion during processing
Different silicone systems can also be optimized for temperature resistance, chemical resistance, or compatibility with specialty adhesives such as acrylics, silicones, and rubber-based systems.
By pairing the correct silicone coating with the right paper substrate, Fox River Associates ensures the release liner performs consistently across the entire manufacturing process.
Paper Release Liners Across Key Markets
Paper release liners support a wide range of industries where adhesives, tacky materials, or reactive resins must be protected until final application. Fox River Associates provides release liner solutions across multiple markets.
Medical Devices
Medical adhesives require extremely consistent release performance and high cleanliness standards. A siliconized paper release liner is commonly used to protect adhesives used in wound care products, medical tapes, and wearable monitoring devices.
For example, a medical adhesive patch may use a paper release liner to protect the adhesive surface until the product is applied to the patient. The release liner must remove from the medical product cleanly without disturbing the adhesive layer, ensuring reliable performance and patient comfort.
Pressure-Sensitive Tapes
Tape manufacturers rely on paper release liners to protect adhesive surfaces during winding, converting, slitting and die cutting. The release liner allows adhesive tape rolls or sheets to unwind cleanly without adhesive transfer.
Double-coated tapes frequently use two side silicone coated release liners with differential release coatings so that one side of the release liner unwinds more easily than the other.
Composites and Prepreg Materials
In the composites industry, prepreg materials contain partially cured resin systems that remain tacky until final curing. A silicone coated paper release liner protects the resin surface during storage, transport, and layup.
The release liner ensures the prepreg layers separate easily during composite fabrication while preventing contamination of the resin surface.
Roofing and Construction Membranes
Roofing membranes and waterproofing systems often include pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. A paper release liner protects these adhesives until the membrane is installed in the field.
Contractors rely on release liners that peel away smoothly during installation, allowing the adhesive to bond securely to roofing substrates.
Industrial Rubber and Gasket Manufacturing
Rubber gasket materials frequently incorporate pressure-sensitive adhesives for assembly or installation. A siliconized paper release liner protects the adhesive backing during die cutting, packaging, and shipping.
In some rubber molding processes, the release liner can also influence the surface finish or texture of the rubber product.
For all market applications, Fox River Associates is the preferred supplier in North America for paper release liners. Use the form on this page or call 1-800-647-6579 to discuss your release liner requirements with our team.
Primary Paper Substrates Used for Release Liners
The performance of a release liner begins with the underlying paper substrate. Fox River Associates offers multiple paper constructions, each optimized for different converting environments and end uses.
The most common substrates used for paper release liners include:
Super Calendered Kraft (SCK)
SCK paper is one of the most widely used substrates for siliconized paper release liners. The super-calendering process creates a smooth, dense surface that supports uniform silicone coatings and consistent release performance. SCK release liners are commonly used in tape applications and general industrial converting.
Clay Coated Kraft (CCK)
Clay coated kraft paper provides a very smooth coating surface, enabling precise silicone coating and controlled release properties. CCK release liners are frequently used where a high-quality coating surface is required.
Glassine Paper
Glassine paper is extremely smooth and dense, making it ideal for precision silicone coatings. Glassine release liners are often used in medical, label, and specialty adhesive applications where consistent release and cleanliness are critical.
Polycoated Kraft (PCK)
Polycoated kraft substrates incorporate a polyethylene layer that enhances moisture resistance and dimensional stability. These release liners perform well in environments where humidity or moisture exposure could impact standard paper substrates.
Each of these substrates provides a different balance of stiffness, smoothness, strength, and cost efficiency. Fox River Associates helps customers determine which release liner construction will perform best for their specific application.
Why Manufacturers Choose Fox River Associates for Paper Release Liners
Fox River Associates offers several advantages over many release liner suppliers. Our focus is not simply supplying material—it is helping customers identify the most appropriate release liner solution for their manufacturing process.
Fox River Associates Advantages
- Breadth of Knowledge and Product Offering
Fox River Associates supplies a full portfolio of paper release liners and film release liners across multiple industries. We support both specialty release liner applications requiring unique materials and high-volume manufacturing programs. Our technical expertise allows us to help customers select the optimal release liner construction for their product. - Inventory Programs for Fast Delivery
We maintain inventory programs designed to support customer growth. By stocking commonly used release liner materials, we help customers ensure the right release liner is available when production demand increases. Our inventory strategy enables some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry. - Service Programs That Make Us Easy to Work With
Fox River Associates provides low minimum order quantities, responsive service, and fast communication. Our team works closely with customers to ensure the release liner supply chain supports their manufacturing schedules.
A Complete Portfolio of Paper and Film Release Liners
While many customers search specifically for paper release liners, Fox River Associates also supplies a broad range of film release liners, including PET, HDPE, LDPE, and polypropylene constructions.
Film release liners are often used when applications require higher dimensional stability, transparency, or temperature resistance. Our team can help determine whether a paper release liner or film release liner is the better choice for your product.
By offering both materials, Fox River Associates ensures customers receive the most effective release liner solution, not simply the material that is easiest to supply.
Contact Fox River Associates for Paper Release Liners
If you are sourcing paper release liners or siliconized paper release liners, Fox River Associates can help identify the best substrate, silicone coating, and release level for your application.
Whether you require one side silicone coated release liners (S1S), two side silicone coated release liners (S2S), or differential silicone coated release liners, our team has the experience and product range to support your needs.
Use the form on this page or call 1-800-647-6579 to discuss your release liner requirements with our team.