Ink is taking up too much water
Check ink/water balance. Run proper amount of ink and water
Rollers are not properly conditioned or set
Thoroughly condition or reset the roller system. (Improperly set or poorly conditioned rollers promote emulsification of ink.)
Fountain solution pH or conductivity is wrong
Adjust to manufacturer’s specifications
Heatset solvent range for proper volatilization is too high
Consult your Sun Chemical representative
Excessive ink thickness is being run
Consult your Sun Chemical representative about stronger ink
Web exit temperature is too low
Increase web exit temperature
Dryer temperatures are too high, inhibiting the ability of chill rolls to cool web efficiently
Decrease web exit temperature and check chill roll efficiency
Marking is visible on chills or delivery equipment
Check web exit temperature from dryer and chill rolls. Check cooling efficiency of chill roll system
Foreign particles are adhering to the plate or blanket
Check for contamination in ink and/or fountain solution
Print gloss is too low
Run a higher tack ink
Use a higher gloss ink
Reduce dryer temperature to minimum settings
Check chill roll system
Increase ink film thickness
Minimize water settings
Consult your Sun Chemical representative
Rollers and pressures are improperly set
Reset rollers and pressures
Rollers or blankets are too soft
Condition or replace rollers or blankets
Ink is low in viscosity and/or tack
Consult your Sun Chemical representative
Ink color strength is too weak; ink film is too heavy
Consult your Sun Chemical representative
Ink is too receptive to water
Consult your Sun Chemical representative
Blankets are packed improperly, or too much pressure exists
Check packaging and pressure
Ink is piling
Consult piling section of this guide
Plate is poorly desensitized
Consult your pre-press department
Dampening system is dirty
Clean dampening system
Fountain solution pH or conductivity is out of balance
Adjust pH and conductivity to manufacturer’s specifications
Slurring or doubling occurs in halftone
Check cylinder pressures, blanket tension and roller slip-page. Check mechanical operation of unit
Plate is improperly exposed and developed
Consult your pre-press department
Streaks appear on web or signatures. This is caused by ink resoftening due to solvent condensation on chill rolls
Check dryer and/or chill roll temperature. Use inks with lower boiling point solvents if possible. Consult suppliers of dryer, chill rolls and inks as necessary
Dryer temperature is too high, inhibiting the ability of chill rolls to cool web efficiently
Decrease web exit temperature
Marking appears on chills or delivery equipment
Check web temperature from dryer and chill rolls. Check cooling efficiency of chill roll system
Excessive ink film thickness is being run
Consult your Sun Chemical representative about stronger ink formulations
Dryer temperature is running too high
Reduce dryer temperature. Consult your Sun Chemical representative about ink drying speed
Moisture content of paper is too high
Run different paper. Run different paper lot or position number
Too heavy an ink film is being run
Consult your Sun Chemical representative about a stronger ink formulation
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Answers in your time of need – Quality Service and Innovation