Reducing drying times on uncoated stocks

[Alois Senefelder]

Hello Colin and fellow Lithographers,


I suggest you read the PDFs I have posted,

Thread: Printing on Bond, Post: Drying Methods of Printing Ink,

Date: 06/06/2010

Regards, Alois

" From knowledge to competence is a great step --- from ignorance to competence an even greater one"

[HeroicKB]

I'm not a printing expert so this could be a terrible idea but....

Depending on the weight of your sheet is a all over aqueous possible?

We've actually done several projects on uncoated sheets (Finch and Cougar) with an all over aqueous coating (not for time reasons) and they've turned out great. We've run into a project on a lighter sheet (100lbs text) that began to warp the page slightly and it required the printer to seek out a low curl aqueous. It was a minor setback and a good learning experience. The piece came out amazing.

I'm told in general aqueous coatings decrease drying time.

This could be a terrible suggestion/thought for you but we've had success with it as a design/functional technique.

[D Ink Man]

I would recommend Kohl & Madden (Sun Chemical) Liberty Process Inks. These are very unique inks that set and dry fantastically on offset stocks. With heavy coverage (say 300%+) you can turn them around in less than 10 minutes. As for the uniqueness, they actually dry better with the least amount of oxygen introduced. If you print a 4 foot pile, let's say 28 x 40", you will find that the wettest sheet will be the top sheet of the load. Quite incredible but true. However there is one drawback. They are very expensive, 28 -35 usd$ per series. But if you experience instant set and dry, that cost it seems would be captured by the time savings. Give them a try. Let me know your experiences. Thank You. D

[Lukew]

Everyone seems to be recomending an ink to use. But very very important is both the Fountain solution and the ink.
Glycols Glycols Glycols --- Rid your fount from these and experience faster drying...
If you use a fountain solution or alcohol substitute that is full of specific glycols don't expect fast drying..
Do a bit of reading on what a lot of uses the mainstreme glycols that are found in most founts are used for in other industries and you will see that they have no place in a fountain solution if you want fast drying.

Sun Chemical in conjunction with Man Roland have apparently develeped a new super fast drying ink that can stay in the duct over night.
SUNLIT Titan,
Claims that it is touch dry in seconds and dry to back up in under 2 minutes. (Doesn't say what uncoated dry times are like though)

You guys in the USA are lucky enough that you have a company there that has built a fountain solutin & ink to work in harmony to give added ink mileage & faster drying.