Smear
The problem of smear occurs when the
printing ink is not kept within the intended boundaries.
| Causes |
Solutions |
| Excessive amount of
ink application. |
Adjust fountain key
to decrease ink application. |
| Dirty printing plates. |
Clean printing plates. |
Insufficient Ink Coverage
| Causes |
Solutions |
| Anillox roll pressure
too light. |
Increase anilox roll
pressure. |
| Printing pressure too
light. |
Increase printing pressure |
Light Ink Coverage
| Causes |
Solutions |
| Worn anilox roll. |
Replace anilox. |
Poor Ink Coverage
| Causes |
Solutions |
| Ink viscosity too low. |
Add stronger fresh
ink. |
| Printing blocks surface
glazed. |
Clean or replace blocks. |
Poor Trapping
First color down (solid) bleeding through
second color down (new).
| Causes |
Solutions |
| First down (solid color)
not dry. |
Reduce viscosity of
first down run machine slower. |
Dirty Printing
The phenomenon of dirty printing occurs
whenever there is fibre-dust
piling on the edge of the plate.
| Causes |
Solutions |
| Dry and dusty board |
Get board with better
surface finish. |
| Ragged slitter edge |
Adjust or sharpen slitter
knives |
Ink Fill
In
| Causes |
Solutions |
| Ink vicosity too high. |
Reduce vicosity. |
| Insufficient metering
of ink film on anilox roll. |
Check with machinery
manufacturer for recommended material or practice. |
Distorted Image
| Cause |
Solution |
| Too much printing pressure |
Reduce pressure. |
Image Distortion
| Causes |
Solution |
| Worn or damaged printing
blocks. |
Replace blocks. |
