I am looking for some feedback on Hostmann-Steinberg's Rapida process ink. I used their QS series process for quite some time without any major issues, it always ran very well, released well, and our dot gain was always extremely consistent. I was forced to change a few months ago, being told that the QS series was no longer going to be produced. I am now running Rapida and and my issue is with the black. I can't seem to control it. It never settles down and it swings 20 points in 200 sheets. I'm ready to strangle my rep. he's no help! Any feedback is welcome...
Sounds like an ink / fountain solution emulsion issue. The ink is either too water resistant or not resistant enough. This would cause the symptoms you are experiencing. If your using a 2-step etch / sub combo with RO water, try mixing 3oz of etch and 1oz of sub per gallon. If this doesn't work try switching to a different ink or ink supplier just to see if the problem is resolved. I would recommend Superior Printing Inks Biolocity series.
We tested the ink for a month it ran well. We had some rub issues in the bindery though.
Balance on press was stable. Pitman 200 A etch & 201A sub. 1800 cond. 1 oz per gallon on sub.
They recently have updated the ink formula, this about 4 th release i think? make sure you have latest version
Yeah, I am aware that Hostmann has taken several shots attempting to get it right. I have also heard that Hostmann is struggling in the US market with their paste inks and have gone through a restructuring process with their management team which has left several of their top technical people out of work. Like I mentioned I have been using HS ink for quite some time and have had excellent success, but over the past 6 or 8 months I have personally seen their product and service go to hell. They have fired my sales rep claiming he wasn't selling enough to justify his salary. The rep that replaced him has limited experience and is very green and I'm sure his salary reflects this. Unfortunately my company is part of the Consolidated Graphics group and this limits me to who I can purchase ink from. My options are Hostmann-Steinberg, Sun Chemical and INX. I recently tried INX but had issues with the process yellow. We could only run about 4000 sheets and the meter roller would load up. We run Komori Lithrones and from what I've heard this seems to be a problem with INX and Komori presses. Any thoughts on Sun Chemical?
If the black is the only problem have you tried adding a heavy body varnish no 3# to 8# to add tack and increase resistance to over emulsification? If this works ask ink manufacture to make you an ink to this spec.
keep printing........Hostmann is the best fore a Komori Lithrone, I have been printing on Komori Lithrones fore about 11 years. Rapida???????????? why not Resista ore Impression? Rapida is mineralsk and the other two are vegatabilsk made. Rapida also have a bigbrother called Surprize, have you heard about that one. And please.....do not try to add any substances to your ink, it will destroy it. Bigger dotgain, bad trapping and bad rubresistance etc. etc.
We run the Hostmann Rapida Ink just switched from the Reflecta Ink that was running very well to the Rapida ink now. I have to admit that when we first tested this ink it seemed a bit harder to control, but once our operators got the hang of things. Wow it sure prints nice. We are able to control this ink like no other. The Hostmann rep originally told us that we would have to run lower water levels and we pretty much blew that off. Finally a couple of our guy's lowered the water levels 45% and WOW. This ink holds color like a dream now. We have noticed also that with this particular ink you can not make big moves with it's because it transfers so well. Where we would have made a move of 4 points up we now make 2 instead and it comes in great. We chalked it up to over compensating on our part. Pricing is in the ball park with all other CGX companies as well INX, and Sun Chemical except you don't have to wait a week for pms inks with them like you do with Sun Chemical. Try adjusting water levels as low as possible and make smaller moves and let me know what you think. Best advice I can give, worked for us.
Hostmann-Steinberg Rapida Process Ink
Linear Mode
