Further Insight into the Lithographic Process - With Special Emphasis on Where the Water Goes.

Two different series of measurements of fountain solution consumption rate are described and analyzed with a view to answering two questions about the lithographic printing process: where does the water go, and which factors (such as ink coverage type of paper) do and do not affect water consumption rates in twenty-five different lithographic presses, both web and sheetfed. The second series consist of ten measurements on a 25-inch wide sheetfed press in which the type of substrate and the amount of ink coverage were varied to determine their effect on water consumption rate. This latter series was also distinguished by the fact that accurate measurements of ink consumption were also obtained. Persuasive evidence is presented on both the fate of water used in the lithographic process and those factors which do and do not influence its rate of consumption. These findings hold some interesting implications for ink-water control on press. The second series consist of ten measurements on a 25-inch wide sheetfed press in which the type of substrate and the amount of ink coverage were varied to determine their effect on water consumption rate. This latter series was also distinguished by the fact that accurate measurements of ink consumption were also obtained. Persuasive evidence is presented on both the fate of water used in the lithographic process and those factors which do and do not influence its rate of consumption. These findings hold some interesting implications for ink-water control on press.