Ask A Print Expert
A Graphic Arts Online blog that answers questions submitted by readers on key print production issues.
Printed Electronics
Question: How do I print a photo that will light up when you push on the page? Answer: Careful - you are now entering the arena of printed electronics, which is a highly specialized area requiring significant research time and capital investment. Since you have a client asking for it, I would suggest the safe way is to farm it out. This is not an easy process. Readers, to contact Ray please emai ...... Read More
Comments (0)Hot Stamping Over Water-based Coating
Question: Our hot stamping is coming off on a coated job. Why? Answer: Well you are in luck - this is an easy one. You must use a hot stampable coating or else you will have major failure. Keep in mind that a water-based coating has a significant amount of wax in it - apply heat and pressure and you have a disaster. Contact your coating supplier for a hot stampable coating - they do exist. Reade ...... Read More
Comments (0)Green Roller Wash
Question: We are starting on the path to Green in our plant. Is there a Green roller wash that works? Answer: I am pleased to say that the answer is yes. Do a little digging around and I am sure you can find one that will leave the rollers clean. One of the largest sources of VOC’s in the pressroom is the roller wash - go after this one first. Readers, to contact Ray please email your com ...... Read More
Comments (1)Ink Distribution
Question: Having problems with heavy coverage at lead edge vs. light at tail of sheet. What can we do? Answer: Ink distribution is adjustable on most all presses. One manufacturer of a 40″ press sets the distribution for the high reading at the center of the sheet and it is not adjustable. Having this adjustment is important since you cannot dictate design to a customer. Look up in your p ...... Read More
Comments (2)Defect Inspection Systems
Question: Are defect inspection systems worth the money? Answer: It depends on a number of items. First it depends on how small a defect you want to have tagged. If it is smaller than .004″ then most systems will not see the defect. If you are looking for major defects, small blanket smashes, missing words, etc., then they may be very well worth it. Hand inspection today is far too expens ...... Read More
Comments (0)UV Ink Misting
Question: Our new UV ink mists - ink is all over the press & walls. My pressman says that this is not a problem? Answer: This is a BIG Problem. If UV ink mists, it is now in the air that you breathe. This is not good. Stop using the ink now and get the salesman in with his technical people to develop an ink that will not mist. If you cannot find an ink that does not mist (most don’t) ...... Read More
Comments (3)Buying a 14 Year Old, Four Color Press
Question: We are looking at a 14 year old, 40″ four color, sheetfed press with 450 million impressions. It is cheap - what should we look for? Answer: From the photos you sent along with the number of impressions on this press, it looks like this press has seen it all and is looking for a place to retire. High quality printers will normally keep a press for eight years then trade it in. A ...... Read More
Comments (0)Fuzzy/Soft Feel Coating
Question: A client wants a tennis ball to have a fuzzy/soft feel on his brochure - how can we do this? Answer: There are many ways to do this depending on how much the client wishes to spend. You could have the image flocked by a trade coater. This would entail putting down a solvent coating and then dusting the area with a material. This is the most expensive way. For a soft feel you could use ...... Read More
Comments (4)Digital Print Quality
Question: When will color digital print quality equal a 150 line litho? Answer: Now there is a loaded question. At Print 09 we saw a number of new units shown or being talked about. There is a unit that will not be delivered until 2011 that is looking very promising that would compete in the 4C, 150 line process color on coated stock area. The results I have seen are impressive. Can you tell the ...... Read More
Comments (0)Shingling Packing
Question: My sheetfed pressman insists on shingling packing, is this correct? Answer: For older presses, shingling blanket packing is a very good idea. Basically each sheet of packing is cut a bit (1/8″) shorter than the next. The theory is to let the cylinder come to the gap gently. Does this work? Yes. Readers, to contact Ray directly please e-mail your comments here. ...... Read More
Comments (0)Looking at Color
Question: In our color booth I use magnets to hold the “OK sheet” on the back of the booth. Is this OK? Answer: This is absolutely the wrong way to look at an “OK sheet” to the current press sheet. Your eye cannot remember color thus looking at the back of the booth sheet and then trying to remember the color on the sheet that is in front of you is impossible. The be ...... Read More
Comments (1)Roll to Sheet – Sheetfed Presses
Question: I’ve been reading many articles on roll to sheet presses - what is the advantage? Answer: The big advantage is being able to purchase stock in roll rather than sheet form. This can be quite a savings. Likewise, if you already have a web this is a good way to use up miscellaneous rolls that may have already been charged to a job. Many printers find this a real advantage. The only ...... Read More
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