Predicting Ink Performance
Presented by Victor Dahleen
Introduction
Raw Materials
Manufacturing Methods
Laboratory Testing
Ink & Water Balance
The Role Of Printing InkColor, Definition & Contrast
Provides Decorative Appeal
Provides End Use Functionality
Packaging, POP, Posters, Inserts, Magazines, Catalogs, Newspapers
Basic Raw Materials for News Ink
ADDITIVES
RESIN
PIGMENT
OIL & SOLVENT
INK
PLASTICS
PAINTS
TIRES
CANDLES
COMPETITION FOR RAW MATERIALS
PIGMENTS
Global Resource
Water Intensive Process
Organic Materials
RESIN / VARNISH
NATURAL RESINSTREES (Gum Rosin)
PAPER MANUFACTURING
BY PRODUCT
HYDROCARBONS
RESINS
PETROLEUM / SOYBEAN OIL
Crude Oil Chart
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASGASOLINE DIESEL FUELLUBRICANTSMOTOR OILSASPHALTPARAFFIN WAX
Vegetable OilsDRYING
OILSSEMI-
DRYING OILS
NON-DRYING
OILSTUNG OIL SOYBEAN OIL OLIVE OIL
LINSEED OIL SAFFLOWER OIL PALM OIL
DEHYDRATED CASTOR
CORN OIL CASTOR OIL
COTTONSEED OIL COCOA BUTTER
SUNFLOWER OIL
MIXING BLADESCO-AXLE MIXING BLADE
HI SPEED SAW TOOTH
Quality Control Criteria
• Tack • Strength/Shade• Fineness of Grind• Structure/Body/Flow• Water Pickup• Transfer
INK MILLINGHorizontal Media Mill
Hi Speed Rotor
Electron Microscope
WATER PICK UP TESTERS
LITHOTRONIC DUKE WPT
Ink & Water
• Duke water pick up tester is used extensively as quality control tool for ink
• Inks typically have a QC specification between 40% - 70% water pick up
Water Pick-Up ChartWater Emulsification (%)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black
Cyan 32% 46% 52% 54% 56%
Magenta 28% 38% 44% 50% 54%
Yellow 30% 42% 46% 46% 46%
Black 27% 36% 43% 52% 55%
2 mins. 4 mins. 6 mins. 8 mins. 10 mins.
Pressroom Consumables
Plates
Blankets
Paper
Ink
Fountain Solution
PHOTOMICROGRAPH 40% SCREEN
NO ADJUSTMENTS ADJUSTED