Cordes Porcher of P2 helps corrugated printers identify and solve printing problems like paper sticking to plates. Paper sticking occurs when paper fiber adheres to printing plates, leaving areas without ink. This can be caused by issues with the paper quality, ink pH and viscosity being off, or tacky plates. To diagnose the problem, Porcher examines the sheet and plate for fiber, tests the plate for stickiness, and monitors ink chemistry. Solutions include adjusting ink properties, cleaning sheets and plates, inspecting for debris, and addressing paper or plate quality issues. Preventing problems involves maintaining proper ink specifications and working with suppliers to address potential sources of fibers or tackiness.
Cordes Porcher of P2 helps corrugated printers identify and solve printing problems like paper sticking to plates. Paper sticking occurs when paper fiber adheres to printing plates, leaving areas without ink. This can be caused by issues with the paper quality, ink pH and viscosity being off, or tacky plates. To diagnose the problem, Porcher examines the sheet and plate for fiber, tests the plate for stickiness, and monitors ink chemistry. Solutions include adjusting ink properties, cleaning sheets and plates, inspecting for debris, and addressing paper or plate quality issues. Preventing problems involves maintaining proper ink specifications and working with suppliers to address potential sources of fibers or tackiness.
Cordes Porcher of P2 helps corrugated printers identify and solve printing problems like paper sticking to plates. Paper sticking occurs when paper fiber adheres to printing plates, leaving areas without ink. This can be caused by issues with the paper quality, ink pH and viscosity being off, or tacky plates. To diagnose the problem, Porcher examines the sheet and plate for fiber, tests the plate for stickiness, and monitors ink chemistry. Solutions include adjusting ink properties, cleaning sheets and plates, inspecting for debris, and addressing paper or plate quality issues. Preventing problems involves maintaining proper ink specifications and working with suppliers to address potential sources of fibers or tackiness.
Cordes Porcher of P2 helps corrugated printers identify and solve printing problems like paper sticking to plates. Paper sticking occurs when paper fiber adheres to printing plates, leaving areas without ink. This can be caused by issues with the paper quality, ink pH and viscosity being off, or tacky plates. To diagnose the problem, Porcher examines the sheet and plate for fiber, tests the plate for stickiness, and monitors ink chemistry. Solutions include adjusting ink properties, cleaning sheets and plates, inspecting for debris, and addressing paper or plate quality issues. Preventing problems involves maintaining proper ink specifications and working with suppliers to address potential sources of fibers or tackiness.
CORDES PORCHER OF P2 HELPS CORRUGATED PRINTERS IDENTIFY AND
SOLVE PRINTING PROBLEMS.
The Printing Process
Paper Sticking to Plate ■ Trash or dust in the load or edge of the sheet. Problem ■ The liner is not corrugated properly and is separating from Name: Paper sticking to plate the fluting. Cordes Porcher is a member of the process Also known as: ■ Paper formation is poor and the fiber bond is not strong improvement team of P2 Picking, Fiber Pick enough. (P Squared), Renton, Location on sheet and/or printed Collateral effects: Wash. P2 serves the elements: This is most notable in ■ Extensive plate cleaning; packaging industry solids along the lead edge of the ■ Ink contamination from fibers; through training, image but it can also be found across ■ Plugged ink filters; assessment, coaching, an entire solid area. ■ Streaks in print as a result of paper fiber stuck between and implementation of Signs and symptoms: The suspect anilox roll and doctor blade. lean strategies for areas will be void of ink and have a sustained profitability. PAPER FIBER STUCK TO PLATE Porcher has 17 years of fibrous appearance around the edges. teaching and testing These fibrous edges will appear to experience with the last have been torn. 15 spent in printing. He Description: Paper sticking to the travels extensively plate is the physical removal of paper assisting the entire fiber from the sheet or the adhesion printing industry through of paper fiber and debris found loose training, testing and in the paper to be printed.These areas product development. He can be reached at 908- of deformed print will have some of 448-7912 or e-mail the following characteristics: torn fcporcher@aol.com edge or fibrous area, the shape of liner with a straight edge. Cause: ■ Ink pH and viscosity are off target and have become tacky. ■ Ink has moved too far from the original formulation as a result of too much ink chemistry added to the ink. ■ Plates may be tacky as a result of poor manufacture or degradation of the surface from chemical reaction to ink or cleaners.
12 Corrugated Today March/April 2006
Printing and Graphics
ABOVE: LINER STUCK TO PLATE
BELOW: MAGNIFICATION
PAPER FIBER APPEARANCE TARGET PRINT
Diagnostic Process Evaluation: A review of the sheet will show unprinted areas with a fibrous appearance or will have the appearance of debris in the paper load. ■ The plate will mirror the pattern seen on the sheet with the paper fiber or debris adhered to the plate. ■ After cleaning the plate, evaluate the plate for tack or stickiness with your hand. Tools: Magnifying glass 10X-12X ■ Monitor and record chemistry adds to ink. ■ Clean sheets prior to printing. Treatment ■ Inspect sheets for debris and fiber. General measures: ■ Contact paper manufacturer and ask for paper ■ Check and adjust ink to target pH and viscosity. test methods. ■ Monitor chemical additions to the ink to ensure they are in compliance in type and quantity for the ink system in use. Where to seek help: ■ Clean sheets prior to printing to remove fiber or debris. Ink manufacturer — Review pH/viscosity, resin ■ Check paper load for trash and loose liner. system and chemistry. ■ Clean plate and check for plate tack or stickiness and ensure plate Paper supplier — Help the paper supplier compatible chemistry is in use. research a liner problem by providing roll number ■ Replace tacky plates and determine cause of problem. information. ■ Conduct paper picking test as requested by paper manufacturer. Plate supplier — Ask for a list of chemical Chemicals: Ink chemistry to adjust pH and viscosity, plate cleaning chemistry conflicts with the plate material involved. compatible with plate. In every issue, Cordes Porcher identifies ways to Extreme measures: diagnose, treat and prevent a specific printing ■ Reformulate ink. problem. These are only suggestions and have been ■ Change to another liner or paper manufacturer. shown to solve problems in other corrugated plants. ■ Change plate material to one more compatible to the ink chemistry and In the process of fixing a printing problem it is cleaning chemical used in the printing facility. important not to override safety mechanisms or operate equipment in such a way that you run the Prevention risk of injuring personnel or damaging materials or
