Gravure paper vs Offset paper

[jwalgren]

Can anyone explain the difference between commercial offset paper vs gravure paper? What would happen if you used a roll of gravure stock on an offset press? We received a few roll through a broker and we can't get it to accept ink. If you reduce the water it gets better but eventually will scum.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 16349]

Can anyone explain the difference between commercial offset paper vs gravure paper? What would happen if you used a roll of gravure stock on an offset press? We received a few roll through a broker and we can't get it to accept ink. If you reduce the water it gets better but eventually will scum.

Thanks

Interesting problem. As far as I know, gravure paper is calendered in order to provide a smooth surface so the ink will transfer from the engraved wells on the gravure roller to the paper. Rough paper would tend to have more missed ink transfer areas than smooth paper with gravure printing.

Calendering is done with very smooth rollers that press the paper with high forces in the paper machine. The calendered paper will be thinner and more dense than offset papers.

I am guessing that this paper will therefore not accept water as easily as offset paper and what might be happening is that it affects ink water balance. The fact that you said running lower water helps seems to support that possibility. It might be more like running with a plastic coated substrate. Just a guess.

Maybe just try to run more ink than you think you need and more water to help with the scumming and see what happens.

 

[maac]

will this link help
http://www.pneac.org/printprocesses/gravure/

 

[jwalgren]

Thanks for the suggestions and link. We've tried every combinations of ink and water and are unable to get a quality product. The broker claims it is not a gravure sheet. Something isn't compatible. For the record we are using UV inks.

 

[Deleted member 16349]

Thanks for the suggestions and link. We've tried every combinations of ink and water and are unable to get a quality product. The broker claims it is not a gravure sheet. Something isn't compatible. For the record we are using UV inks.

OK, so it is not supposed to be a gravure paper even though your post implied it was. Maybe the paper is not meant for printing and has some kind of surface treatment on it. Maybe your ink supplier can help to see if they have an ink that will work with that paper. Does ink wet the paper at all?

 

[jwalgren]

Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to find out if the broker sent us a lot of gravure paper by mistake. What kind of issues would you see using gravure paper on an offset press?

 

[Green Printer]

Can anyone explain the difference between commercial offset paper vs gravure paper? What would happen if you used a roll of gravure stock on an offset press? We received a few roll through a broker and we can't get it to accept ink. If you reduce the water it gets better but eventually will scum.

Thanks

Offset is surfaced sized for offset printing, Gravure papers are not sized.

http://www.seikopmc.co.jp/english/pr...per/ss_se.html

http://www.gp-chemicals.com/Alkaline...oduct_Category

http://www.tappi.org/oldtappi/conten...e/0101r311.pdf

 

[Dan Roll]

During the brief period I could afford to be on the 'Supercalender Paper Advisory Board' I learned the major producers worked closely with gravure printers and were very attentive to their needs. At the same time, litho printers were a mystery to them as most of the big ones don't buy paper, it is either supplied to them or mandated by the publishers.
Gravure ink is solvent based and adheres to smooth hydrophilic substrates with ease. Positive feedback from the big gravure printers re-enforces in the minds of the paper producers these products are 'good.' The fact that high speed litho users often hate these papers never comes to their attention.