Helps maintain stable ink transfer and proper separation between image and non-image areas.
pH, conductivity and dosage have a direct impact on print run stability and final quality.
A well-adjusted dampening system reduces corrections, paper waste and issues during production.
Offset printing is based on the principle of repulsion between water and ink. The plate contains image areas, which accept ink, and non-image areas, which must remain damp in order to repel it. Fountain solution conditions the water so that it works stably on the plate and allows clean image transfer.
Too much water can reduce colour intensity, affect drying and cause variations throughout the print run. Too little can lead to scumming, plate greasing or contamination in non-image areas. Maintaining this balance does not depend on a single factor: ink, plate, substrate, press speed and additive dosage all play a role. That is why fountain solution should be understood as part of a complete technical system.
Isopropyl alcohol has traditionally been used in offset printing to improve wetting and stabilise the process. However, reducing its use is increasingly important for environmental reasons, workplace safety and VOC emissions control.
MA Inks fountain solutions make it possible to work with reduced IPA levels or even without IPA, provided that the system is correctly adjusted. This evolution contributes to more sustainable printing, improves workshop conditions and responds to the demands of a graphic industry increasingly focused on efficient and responsible processes.
Our technical team can help you adjust printing parameters, improve the water-ink balance and select the most suitable solution for your process.
These are the most common questions about the use of fountain solutions in offset printing. If you cannot find the answer to your enquiry, our technical team is at your disposal.
Fountain solution is the liquid applied to the offset plate to keep the non-image areas damp and prevent ink from adhering to them. Correct adjustment is essential to maintain clean, stable printing with good dot definition.
El agua de mojado es la base del sistema, pero la solución de mojado incorpora aditivos que regulan parámetros como el pH, la conductividad, la tensión superficial y la estabilidad del equilibrio agua-tinta.
Because it determines proper ink transfer and the cleanliness of non-image areas. An unstable balance can cause colour loss, scumming, drying problems or increased waste during start-up.
Solutions with reduced IPA or without IPA make it possible to work with lower environmental impact, improve workshop conditions and comply with increasingly demanding regulations on VOC emissions.It depends on the type of press, dampening system, ink, substrate and production conditions. That is why technical advice is recommended before choosing a specific solution. Our team can help you identify the most suitable option for your case.