The Impact of Ink-Water Balance in Offset Printing on Quality

In the packaging box printing industry, the ink-water balance in offset printing has a crucial impact on printing quality. Zemeijia is well aware of the importance of ink water balance and has conducted an in depth investigation and analysis of this issue to ensure high quality printing services for its customers.

How Does Ink-Water Balance Affect Printing Quality?

Offset printing is based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. The image areas of the printing plate can attract oil and repel water, while the blank areas first absorb water to achieve selective adsorption of oil and water. In offset printing, whether the ink and water are properly controlled is very important for the normal transfer of the print, the depth of the ink color, the accuracy of overprinting, the drying of the printed matter, and the occurrence of smudging.

How to Achieve Ink-Water Balance?

Ink-water balance refers to the regulation of the supply of dampening solution under certain printing speeds and pressures, so that the volume ratio of the dampening solution in the emulsified ink is controlled at 15% - 26%, forming a slightly emulsified oil-in-water (W/O) type ink, which is used to counteract the ink on the printing plate with the smallest amount of liquid supply. In actual operation, the ink-water balance should be correctly mastered according to the size and distribution of the image and text on the printing plate, as well as the properties of the printing paper, the performance of the ink and other actual situations.

By scientifically and reasonably controlling the ink-water balance, Zemeijia can effectively improve the quality of printed products, ensuring that the packaging box products are colorful and have clear layers, meeting the high standard requirements of customers. Zemeijia will continue to optimize the printing process to provide customers with higher quality products and services.