As the temperature drops, pressrooms face a unique set of challenges. If you’ve noticed your paper tearing, picking, or fiber piling up on your rubber blankets and rollers lately, you are likely dealing with high ink tack caused by cold weather.

When temperatures fall, the viscosity of offset ink naturally increases, making it stiffer and stickier (high tack). This puts extra strain on both the paper stock and your printing machine.

Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through slow production speeds. Here is how you can optimize your winter printing cycle:

1. Regulate Pressroom Temperature

Ideally, your paper and ink should be stored in a climate-controlled environment. Cold paper pulled straight from a warehouse acts like a heat sink, instantly thickening the ink on the press.

2. Utilize Specialized Ink Auxiliaries

When temperature adjustments aren’t enough, you need an additive that alters the ink’s physical properties without ruining its drying capabilities or color density.

• Sologel Ink Paste: Our Sologel paste is specifically formulated to reduce excessive ink tack in extremely low temperatures. It gently lowers viscosity, preventing paper fibers from lifting and accumulating on your rollers and blankets.
• Flow Oil: Adding a controlled amount of flow oil can help maintain the ideal fluidity of the ink across the ink fountain when the room is chilly.

3. Keep Rollers Clean

Cold weather can accelerate ink glazing on rollers. Use a gentle but thorough wash, like our Ultra Wash, to deep-clean the pores of your rollers and blankets, restoring their original texture and extending their lifespan by up to 15%.

Don’t let the winter weather slow your press down. A few drops of the right auxiliary from Spring Ink can keep your production moving smoothly all season long.