Offset ink
Offset ink is a specific type of printing ink used in offset printing, a commercial printing process. Such ink must be specially formulated to resist other chemicals it will come in contact with on the printing press, because the process relies on surface tension.[1] It is widely used for printing high-quality images and text on paper, cardboard, and certain plastics.[2][3]
Offset ink must resist water-in-ink emulsification (i.e., repel rather than absorb water).[4][2] It needs to have specific physical and chemical properties to work correctly with the dampening solution (also called fount solution[1]) or silicone coating that covers the non-printing areas of the engraved plate.[4] Offset ink needs to be very rich in pigment so that its full color vibrancy is perceptible, even in minute quantity.[5]
Offset ink consists of powdered pigments (organic or inorganic), binders (also called varnish in the trade), additives, and mineral oil as a carrier.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Leach, R. H.; Leach, Robert (1993-09-30). The Printing Ink Manual. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 343. ISBN 978-0-948905-81-0.
- 1 2 Gaikwad, Kirtiraj K.; Singh, Suman (2025-11-25). "4.2.1.1 Offset Printing". Concepts of Food Packaging. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-040-31488-3.
- ↑ Debeaufort, Frederic; Galic, Kata; Kurek, Mia; Benbettaieb, Nasreddine; Scetar, Mario (2021-03-31). Packaging Materials and Processing for Food, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons. p. 251. ISBN 978-1-119-82506-7.
- 1 2 3 Kipphan, Helmut (2001-07-31). Handbook of Print Media: Technologies and Production Methods. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 206–207, 211. ISBN 978-3-540-67326-2.
- ↑ Ford, P; Tuft, R (1988) [1961]. "Lithographic Inks". In Leach, R; Armstrong, C; Brown, J; Mackenzie, M; Randall, L; Smith, H (eds.). The Printing Ink Manual (4th, Illustrated ed.). Wokingham, Berkshire, England: Van Nostrand Reinhold International Co Ltd. p. 314. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-7097-0. ISBN 9789401170970 – via Society of British Printing Ink manufacturers Ltd.
..inks that are required to print full-strength colors
- Ainsworth, Mitchell, C., "Inks and Their Composition and Manufacture," Charles Griffin and Company Ltd, 1904.
 | This publishing-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. |