Apparatus for making paper and paperboard having enhanced gloss

An apparatus for producing a paper product having a surface with enhanced gloss, comprising:

• an uncoated release film having a smooth surface;
• means for applying a continuous layer of deformable coating material on a moving substrate prior to being brought into contact with said uncoated release film;
• means for solidifying said layer of deformable coating material, said solidifying means having a zone in which the solidification occurs;
• means for placing said substrate with said layer of coating material applied thereon within said zone;
• and
• means for contacting said layer of coating material with said smooth surface of said release film while said layer of coating material is within said zone, said release film being brought into contact with said layer of coating material at a location at which said layer of coating material is being carried by said moving substrate;
• wherein said smooth surface of said release film has a gloss which is substantially equal to or greater than 99%, is substantially free of defects, has on-adhering and release characteristics, and has a film-coating contact angle which is equal to or greater than 87 degrees, said smooth surface of said release film imparting a gloss of at least 90% to the surface of said solidified layer of coating material.