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Technical Bulletin TRM/95

Correct ink and water balance on the press is essential for achieving optimum print quality. This means that the ink which is applied to the plate by the ink form rollers is the right amount to obtain a uniform printed image. The right amount of water is just enough to keep the non-image areas of the plate from scumming.

To correct an out-of-balance condition, it is better to initially decrease rather than add either ink or water. For example, scumming often can be corrected by decreasing ink, not adding water. Washed out copy often can be corrected by decreasing water, not adding ink.

Too much water can:

*Decrease ink density

*Emulsify the ink

*Cause deterioration in quality

*Increase ink drying time

Too much ink can:

*Cause the background to scum

*Cause the image to fatten

*Cause ink piling on press rollers

*Increase ink drying time

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