Pooling Ink

We’ve been having some issues with ink pooling on the edges of larger solids. Since solids require a bit more ink/looser ink for solid coverage, we’re definitely setting up a bit differently than when we would print type or smaller objects. We haven’t noticed it as much on the C&P, when we can skip feed more easily, but on the Windmill, it’s a bit of a different challenge.

KF95 Polymer Plates
Reich Savoy/ or Lettra
Braden Sutphin Oil Based Ink w/ less mag carb than when printing type or finer details
Windmill

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Log in to reply   3 replies so far

It is possible ,even likely ,you are trying to attain a colour match by over inking ,reduce the amount of ink until you get a good finish then look at your strengths in the mix , solids are less forgiving if you are trying to match a colour that is too light in its mix . Photopolymers dont like over inking at the best of times and a large solid will be difficult if your mix is not right and you pile ink on the press in an effort to match a colour . You may also need to be sure you have your plate to roller contact set correctly so as not to be leaving ink around the edges of the plate where it will collect . Its often better with a solid to run up to strength on waste , trying to get the right effect with random pulls between adjustments of the ink train metering makes it harder to avoid problems like this .
You may have addded a reducer to get the ink to lay and that having weakened the strength of the mix , you are over compensating with the ink to overcome the reduced strength .

What about running the pile (or piles) through twice, with thin ink?
If you’re using guides, you should be able to nail it twice in the same spot.

If your form is mixed and you have solids and finer details.. You can either make two plates, or carefully scrape the finer outlying details off the plate with a razor blade in between to keep from over inking them.

Thanks for the input, Peter & HavenPress!