Correlation of ink viscosity and printability in offset lithography process on paperboard used in packaging

Abstract

In the recent years, the demands for offset inks with better flow ability and viscosity have risen higher with the improvements of printing techniques. To ensure uniformity in printability sheet after sheet it is very important to maintain certain print conditions for that print job as approved by customers and use this data for future reference of printing. The quality of offset printing process depends on many chemical and physical specifications of the ma terials and components involved in the process. Most important being printing inks and its rheology. In this work, three process color cyan inks have been formulated with varying levels of viscosity with use of certain rheology modifiers. Trials on the printing machine were conducted using a systematic layout of test elements on a fully automatic offset lithography printing machine using a Solid Bleached Sulphite Board (SBS) and the print results were correlated to rheological parameters such as viscosity and thixotropy. The tone value increase (TVI) was measured and was correlated to viscosity and index of thixotropy. Higher viscosity yields lower dot gain and better color reproducibility. A mathematical relation has been established between ink viscosity, dot area and tone value increase. As the demands for packaging increases, the study about the ink rheology and its effect on print performance can help printers and ink manufacturers with better ink formulations to achieve precise print results.

Pengaruh Variasi Konsentrasi Karbon Tempurung Kelapa Terhadap Karakteristik Tinta Spidol Whiteboard Ramah Lingkungan

“…Viskositas berbanding lurus dengan kepadatan, di mana semakin banyak konsentrasi karbon yang digunakan, semakin tebal tintanya [16]. Menurut Mahajan dan Bandyopadhyay [18], saat konsentrasi tinta meningkat, sifat flokulasinya juga akan meningkat yang dapat menghasilkan gaya gesek tinggi karena tarikan antar partikel.…”

Design and implementation of a low cost optical based paint viscosity control device

“…In another attempt, Magdy Kader [10] studied the impact of ink viscosity on the enhancement of rotogravure optical print quality. Mahajan and Bandyopadhyay [11] explored the relationship of ink viscosity and printability in the offset lithography process on paperboard used in packaging. For the coating industry, in [12], the thermal behavior of the PEG/MP-coated viscose fabric was investigated and in [13], Kukkamo and Laari demonstrated the importance of rheology and viscosity in paper and board coating.…”