Printing inks are the unsung heroes of the printing world, silently contributing to the quality and

performance of every printed material.

One crucial aspect of inks is their tack, the glue that binds ink to surfaces. Striking the perfect
balance in tack is an art, and this article explores the fascinating world of tack control in printing
inks, delving into how it can make or break your print job.
what is the tack?
In the context of printing and ink, "tack" refers to the strength of cohesion between the ink
particles themselves within the ink.
It represents the degree of adhesion between the ink particles, affecting how well the ink adheres
to surfaces during the printing process.
Imagine a print job with ink that clings too tightly. High-tack inks can be troublemakers, causing
picking and linting issues, like an overeager child in a candy store. They might even be the
culprits behind web breaks, especially when dealing with subpar paper quality. These web
breaks are like unexpected plot twists, disrupting your printing process and leading to downtime
and productivity woes.
On the flip side, low-tack inks can be like greasy hands that fail to grip effectively. Poor ink
transfer becomes the villain, causing lithographic woes that mar the beauty of your prints. Picture
poor dot definition, akin to a blurry photograph, leaving your printed images lacking the clarity
and sharpness they deserve.
Tack Control
Controlling tack in printing inks is like fine-tuning a musical instrument.
Gelled vehicles and distillates are the virtuoso's tools in this symphony.
Gelled vehicles offer the ability to tweak tack as needed, while distillates or gelled distillates are
the conductors of tack harmony.
In a pinch, micronized hydrocarbon resins can be your secret sauce for subtle tack adjustments.
As technology races forward, so does our ability to master tack control.
Nanomaterials are the tiny heroes in this modern tale. Nanoparticles and nanogels interact with
inks on a molecular level, offering precision tack adjustments that were once the stuff of dreams.
Advanced digital printing technologies are another chapter in this saga, allowing real-time tack
adjustments with inkjet printers, whether you’re using dry or liquid ink applications.
# Ink Viscosity in Printing

Ink viscosity is a measure of how thick or thin an ink is. It determines the flow and performance
of the ink on the printing press and the quality of the printed product. In this article, we will
explain what ink viscosity is, how it is measured, and what factors affect it.

## What is ink viscosity?

Ink viscosity is the resistance of an ink to flow when pressure is applied to it. It is related to the
internal friction and cohesion of the ink molecules. Inks with higher viscosity are thicker and
take longer to flow, while inks with lower viscosity are thinner and flow more quickly. Ink
viscosity is influenced by the components of the ink, such as pigments, binders, solvents, and
additives.

## Why is ink viscosity important?

Ink viscosity is important for the printability and performance of the ink on the press. It affects
the following aspects of printing:

- Ink distribution: The ink must have the right viscosity to be distributed evenly and uniformly on
the printing plate or cylinder. If the ink viscosity is too high, the ink will not spread well and may
cause streaks or mottling. If the ink viscosity is too low, the ink will run or drip and may cause
splashing or misting.
- Ink transfer: The ink must have the right viscosity to transfer from one surface to another, such
as from the plate to the blanket, or from the blanket to the paper. If the ink viscosity is too high,
the ink will not release well and may cause poor coverage or ghosting. If the ink viscosity is too
low, the ink will not adhere well and may cause set-off or scumming.
- Ink drying: The ink must have the right viscosity to dry properly on the paper. If the ink
viscosity is too high, the ink will dry slowly and may cause blocking or smudging. If the ink
viscosity is too low, the ink will dry too fast and may cause cracking or curling.
## How is ink viscosity measured?

Ink viscosity is measured by instruments that simulate the printing process and measure the force
or time required to make the ink flow. There are different types of viscosity-measuring devices,
such as the Zahn Cup, the Ford Cup, the Brookfield Viscometer, and the Rotational Viscometer.
Each device has its own advantages and limitations, and they may not give the same results for
the same ink. Therefore, it is important to use the same device and the same conditions for
comparing different inks or batches of the same ink.

The Zahn Cup and the Ford Cup are simple devices that measure the time it takes for a known
volume of ink to flow out of a cup with a hole at the bottom. The longer the time, the higher the
viscosity. The Brookfield Viscometer and the Rotational Viscometer are more sophisticated
devices that measure the torque or resistance of a spindle rotating in a sample of ink. The higher
the torque, the higher the viscosity.

## What factors affect ink viscosity?

Ink viscosity is affected by many factors, such as the ink formulation, the printing process, and
the environmental conditions. Some of the main factors are:

- Ink formulation: The ink formulation is a careful balance of pigments, binders, solvents, and
additives. The pigments, which provide the color and opacity of the ink, affect the viscosity of
the ink, as they increase the solids content and the surface area of the ink. The binders, which
provide the adhesion and cohesion of the ink, affect the viscosity of the ink, as they provide the
body and the elasticity of the ink. The solvents, which provide the fluidity and the drying of the
ink, affect the viscosity of the ink, as they reduce the solids content and the evaporation rate of
the ink. The additives, which provide the stability and the performance of the ink, affect the
viscosity of the ink, as they modify the rheology and the behavior of the ink. Generally, adding
more pigments or binders tends to increase the viscosity, while adding more solvents or additives
tends to decrease the viscosity.
- Printing process: The printing process affects the viscosity of the ink, as it involves mechanical
and thermal stresses on the ink. The speed, pressure, and temperature of the printing process
affect the viscosity of the ink, as they change the shear rate and the evaporation rate of the ink.
Generally, higher speed, pressure, and temperature tend to decrease the viscosity, while lower
speed, pressure, and temperature tend to increase the viscosity. The type and condition of the
printing equipment also affect the viscosity of the ink, as they influence the ink delivery and the
ink consumption. The type and quality of the substrate also affect the viscosity of the ink, as they
influence the ink absorption and the ink penetration.
- Environmental conditions: The environmental conditions affect the viscosity of the ink, as they
affect the humidity and the temperature of the ink and the substrate. The humidity and the
temperature affect the viscosity of the ink, as they affect the moisture content and the
evaporation rate of the ink. Generally, higher humidity and lower temperature tend to increase
the viscosity, while lower humidity and higher temperature tend to decrease the viscosity. The
humidity and the temperature also affect the substrate, as they affect the moisture content and the
dimensional stability of the substrate.

## Conclusion

Ink viscosity is a measure of how thick or thin an ink is. It determines the flow and performance
of the ink on the printing press and the quality of the printed product. Ink viscosity is measured
by instruments that simulate the printing process and measure the force or time required to make
the ink flow. Ink viscosity is affected by many factors, such as the ink formulation, the printing
process, and the environmental conditions. Ink viscosity should be optimized for each printing
application, as it affects the printability and the performance of the ink on the press.

I hope this article was helpful. If you want to learn more about ink viscosity in printing, you can
check out these web sources:

- [Viscosity of Ink – viscosity table and viscosity chart](^1^)

- [The Impact of Ink Viscosity on Print Quality](^2^)
- [Viscosity of Ink: Unveiling the Science Behind Smooth Writing](^3^)
- [Viscosity - PrintWiki](^4^)

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/14/2024

(1) Viscosity of Ink – viscosity table and viscosity chart - Anton Paar. https://wiki.anton-
paar.com/en/ink/.
(2) The Impact of Ink Viscosity on Print Quality | INX International.
https://www.inxinternational.com/blog/productivity/impact-ink-viscosity-print-quality.
(3) Viscosity of Ink: Unveiling the Science Behind Smooth Writing.
https://lambdageeks.com/viscosity-of-ink/.
(4) Viscosity - PrintWiki. http://printwiki.org/Viscosity.

What Is Ink Viscosity?

Ink viscosity is a measure of how thick or thin an ink is. It’s measured by determining how fast
or slow it flows when pressure is applied to it. Inks with higher viscosity are thicker and take
longer to flow, while inks with lower viscosity are thinner and flow more quickly. Understanding
the viscosity of your inks can help you adjust your printing settings for optimal results.

The viscosity of Inks depends on the components of the ink, including resins, pigments, and
binding agents. It affects not only the flow of the ink but also the strength of the printed color
and other print quality attributes including ink lay, dot gain, and trapping. Additionally,
performance properties such as coating weight, drying speed, and solvent retention are all
effected by ink viscosity. If it is not controlled continuously and closely, uniform ink coverage
and accurate color match cannot be achieved.

The Effect of temperature on Viscosity

Minimal changes in temperature can have a great impact on ink viscosity, and therefore print
quality. A temperature increase can reduce the viscosity of printing ink significantly. It is
essential to maintain a stable temperature when printing.

The effect of ink viscosity on quality

When considering the relationship between viscosity and printing quality when it comes to
printing, there needs to be a careful balance between ink viscosity and surface tension – if either
one of these measurements is too low, then the other will also be affected negatively. If the ink
viscosity is too high, then it won’t be able to flow properly through the nozzles on the printer
head; this will result in poor coverage and smudging. On the other hand, if the surface tension of
the ink is too low, then it won’t be able to adhere properly to surfaces; this could lead to poor
adhesion and smearing as well as reduced longevity of printed materials. To ensure optimal
results, it’s important that both measurements are carefully balanced according to your specific
needs.
Viscosity Measurement
It’s crucial that you measure the viscosity of your inks regularly so that you can adjust your
printing settings accordingly for optimal results every time. There are several different types of
tools available for measuring ink viscosity, you should determine which type best suits your
needs before making any purchases – most instruments come with instructions for accurate
measurements but make sure to read up on them beforehand, so you know what you’re getting
into. High-viscosity materials, such as lithographic inks, are typically measured by measuring the
time it takes a falling rod to pass through the ink. Low-viscosity materials, such as flexographic
inks, are measured by comparing the time it takes a given amount of ink to empty from an efflux
cup.