Potential Problems in Printing – Description of Problems and Proposed Solutions

Problem Solution
1. Too thick. 1. Add thinner.
2. Dried out. 2. Clean cliche with thinner.
3. Wrong thinner. 3. Use slower thinner or one suited to ink system.
Problem Solution
1. Insufficient etching depth. 1. Produce new cliche with greater etching depth.
2. Wrong screen ruling. 2. Test new cliche with different fineness of halftone screen.
3. Surface physically damaged. 3. Use new cliche.
Problem Solution
1. Too flat. 1. Use more tapered pad shape.
2. Surface roughened. 2. Replace pad.
3. Pad swollen. 3. Blow air on pad.
4. Surface too oily 4. Clean pad (several times) or replace.
Problem Solution
Problem Solution
1. Too thick. 1. Add thinner.
2. Dried out. 2. Clean cliche with thinner.

If ink pulls on pad fibers during pickup, it is too thick and needs thinning.