Ink-Paper Interaction

General informations

To control printing quality, characterisation of the ink-paper interaction is paramount. The stresses exerted on printing basepapers vary depending on the printing process used (sheet-fed offset, rotary, flexographic, rotogravure, digital), the viscosity and chemical nature of the inks, and the printing speeds and pressures applied. In certain cases, laboratory testing can provide insight into the behaviour of an ink on the paper.
The CTP has several laboratory testing appliances and tried and tested methodologies that can be effectively applied to the characterisation of the ink-paper interaction. They can be used on all graphic papers and adapted to any issues encountered.

Technical Data and Achievements

Various tests can be performed, as a function of the uses of the paper, and others can be adapted and proposed to examine specific issues that arise.

Paper for books and diaries

• Determination of pen writing sizing grade, according to standard NF Q 03-015. Determination or control of the sizing level.

Paper for rotogravure printing

• Heliotest according to standard NF Q 61-002

Papers for offset printing

• Pick resistance, dry or wet, according to standard ISO 3783, on IGT press
  
• Ink setting-off test (ink fixing speed)

Papers for electrophotographic printing

• Toner adhesion, according to standard NF EN 12283

For all types of paper

• Various ink absorption tests depending on the printing process (microcontour test, porometric ink test, IGT drop test)
  
• Contact angles, surface energy, on Digidrop apparatus, GBX
  
• Wetting kinetics sequence, on Digidrop apparatus, GBX.

Contact angle		Pen writing test