Water Pick-up Test for Lithographic Inks

Previously proposed laboratory tests for predicting the performance of inks on a lithographic press don't always work. Three new tests are proposed and discussed. These tests sometimes predict failures when the older test predict success. Prior to doing the work outlined in this report, we were familiar with four laboratory tests for determining the water pick-up of lithographic inks: the mixmaster test, Surland's refinement of the mixmaster test (1980), the Litho Break tester (Thwing Albert), and a method for determining the final water pick-up of a litho ink (Degussa, 1972). After making inks which passed these tests but still failed in the field, we developed three new tests for predicting the performance of an ink on a lithographic press. These tests and their application to an ink that works and to an ink that fails are the subject of this report. Prior to doing the work outlined in this report, we were familiar with four laboratory tests for determining the water pick-up of lithographic inks: the mixmaster test, Surland's refinement of the mixmaster test (1980), the Litho Break tester (Thwing Albert), and a method for determining the final water pick-up of a litho ink (Degussa, 1972). After making inks which passed these tests but still failed in the field, we developed three new tests for predicting the performance of an ink on a lithographic press. These tests and their application to an ink that works and to an ink that fails are the subject of this report.