United Ink – United Ink

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Troubleshooting / Problem-solving

Backing Constant film weight cannot be maintained on print

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Backing	Constant film weight cannot be maintained on print. Ink does not follow duct rollers.	Ensure there is sufficient ink in the ink duct Add AS/8658 Flow Improver to the ink. (Max 5%) Additive Aux

Chalking Ink pigment does not bind to the stock and comes off by mere rubbing.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Chalking	Ink pigment does not bind to the stock and comes off by mere rubbing.	Use less absorbent paper. Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 to 5.5 Use Higher Quality Ink (Stronger and Fast-setting) Eg. Mattking / Speedset. Four Colour Sets Use BS/8455 O.P. Medium to save printed sheets.

Dot Gain Halftone dots increase in size causing the printed matter to lack sharpness.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Dot Gain	Halftone dots increase in size causing the printed matter to lack sharpness.	Reduce ink release. Check reproduction process/ plate/ blanket Ensure proper ink-water balance. Check pressure between form roller to plate to blanket to paper. Use stronger ink – Eg. Mattking / Speedset. Four Colour Sets Add AS/8726 Synthetic Medium. (Max 5%) Additive Aux

Emulsification Light tint appears on unprinted parts of stock and water marks spoil printed areas.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Emulsification	Light tint appears on unprinted parts of stock and water marks spoil printed areas.	Maintain proper ink-water balance. Clean/check plate, correct if necessary. Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 & 5.5. Add AS/8953 Thickening Powder to improve water resistance. (Max 2%) Additive Aux

Fading Print changes strength or colour with time.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Fading	Print changes strength or colour with time.	Check paper stock. Use Light-fast Inks in case of outdoor exposure.Speciality Inks

Gloss (Low) Less gloss/reflection from printed image.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Gloss (Low)	Less gloss/reflection from printed image.	Use smoother paper Reduce fountain solution feed. Increase Ink film thickness slightly. Use Glossy ink – Eg Boss/Mattking/Speedset/Pearl Four Colour Sets

Hickies Blemishes in the Printed Ink Film, especially for Solid Image Area.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Hickies	Blemishes in the Printed Ink Film, especially for Solid Image Area.	Ensure there is no skin while putting ink into ink duct. Clean rollers and blankets to remove dried ink Inspect press room and press for cleanliness to avoid dust/contamination Use paper having good pick strength to avoid fluffing.

Mileage (Lower) More ink is consumed per impression than normal.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Mileage (Lower)	More ink is consumed per impression than normal.	Adjust colour densities to optimum with satisfactory print quality. Maintain proper ink-water balance. Use stronger ink – Eg Mattking / Speedset Four Colour Sets

Misting Constant film weight cannot be maintained on print.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Misting	Constant film weight cannot be maintained on print. Ink does not follow duct rollers.	Use stronger ink with lower release. Check roller settings. Release optimum fountain solution. Reduce the printing speed. Add AS/8425 Q.S.Tack Reducer. to the ink. (Max 5%) Additive Aux

Muddy Half-tones Constant film weight cannot be maintained on print.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Muddy Half-tones	Constant film weight cannot be maintained on print. Ink does not follow duct rollers.	Ensure there is sufficient ink in the ink duct Add AS/8658 Flow Improver to the ink. (Max 5%) Additive Aux

Picking of Paper Particles torn from papers, paper coating scattered at irregular places.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Picking of Paper	Particles torn from papers, paper coating scattered at irregular places.	Use paper having good pick strength. Use less tacky blanket. Check print pressure. Reduce machine speed. Add AS/8425 Q.S.Tack Reducer t(Max 5%) Additive Aux

Plate Wear-Off Loss of image area & successive impression becomes weaker

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Plate Wear-Off	Loss of image area meaning successive impression becomes weaker and weaker. Especially common in long run jobs.	Re-adjust the pressure of ink form roller and damping form roller. Check/Reduce Plate to Blanket pressure. Check quality of plate. Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 to 5.5. Consult ink manufacturer to check grinding

Roller Stripping Steel rollers do not accept ink and remain blank at certain areas

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Roller Stripping	Steel rollers do not accept ink and remain blank at certain areas.	Reduce damping solution feed. Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 & 5.5. Clean the rollers and copperize if reqd Add AS/8953 Thickening Powder to the ink. (Max 2%) Additive Aux

Low Scuff Printed Ink film appears dry but gets smudged/ transferred when rubbed.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Rub Resistance/ Scuff Resistance (Poor)	Printed Ink film appears dry but gets smudged/ transferred when rubbed.	Reduce fountain solution feed. Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 to 5.5 Use smoother paper. Print with optimum ink release Consult ink manufacturer. UseBS/8455 O.P. Medium. Additive Aux

Scumming Ink patches showing on non-image areas on the print.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Scumming	Ink patches showing on non-image areas on the print.	Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 & 5.5. Check plate wear-off. Use stronger ink and run with reduced release. Correct Inkers and Dampers setting. AddAS/8726 Synthetic Medium (Max 5%)Additive Aux

Set-off Ink marks appear on the back of the next sheet in the delivery pile.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Set-off	Ink marks appear on the back of the next sheet in the delivery pile.	Reduce Ink release. Use Higher Quality Ink (Stronger and Fast-setting) Eg. Mattking / Speedset. Four Colour Sets Use S/5400 Unispray Powder in multicolour printing. Additive Aux Reduce size of stacks. Add U/214 Speedofix Liquid Drier (Max 2%) Additive Aux

Slow Drying Ink film remains wet or tacky to the touch.

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Slow Drying	Ink film remains wet or tacky to the touch.	Avoid addition of any non-drying compounds. Avoid using highly acidic paper. Ensure fountain pH is between 4.8 to 5.5 Avoid excess fountain solution onto the plate. Add U/202 Liquid Drier(Max 2%) Additive Aux

Trapping (Poor) Subsequent colours on multicolour job do not transfer properly,

Problem	Symptom	Solution
Trapping (Poor)	Subsequent colours on multicolour job do not transfer properly, resulting in poor Colour balance.	Ensure there is sufficient ink in the ink duct Make sure inks are printed in decreasing tack order. Check ink release of subsequent colours. Maintain proper ink-water balance. Check the strength and viscosity of ink by consulting ink manufacturer. Add AS/8425 Q.S. Tack Reducer in subsequent colours (Max 5%) Additive Aux

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