Method for coating dry finish paperboard

A method for coating paperboard comprising the steps of:

• preparing a web of cellulosic fibers, said web having a basis weight of at least about 85 pounds per 3000 ft2 of said web;
• calendering said web at least once to form a paperboard substrate, wherein said calendering step is performed without substantially introducing moisture to said web;
• applying a basecoat to at least one surface of said paperboard substrate to form a coated paperboard structure, said basecoat including at least one pigment, said pigment having a sediment void volume of at least about 45 percent;
• and
• applying a top coat to said coated paperboard structure to form a top-coated paperboard structure, wherein said top-coated paperboard structure has a Parker Print Surf smoothness of at most about 3 microns.