4 Printing Applications Where Viscometers are Critical to the Finished Product

Monitoring viscosity is critical across a range of industries. Any time you have a process that requires using a fluid in the finishing of a product, it is incredibly important to regularly measure and maintain the viscosity of that fluid.

That is why you need to be using some type of process viscometer in your printing applications. Failing to do so can leave you frustrated with a range of viscosity problems — all of which affect your bottom line.

In this article, we will review four of the most common printing applications and why viscosity control is critical to them:

• Flexographic printing
• Gravure printing
• Corrugated printing
• Pad printing

If you’re working with one of these applications, and you’re not regularly monitoring viscosity using an automated viscometer (often as part of a complete viscosity control solution), we recommend updating your processes as soon as possible.

Flexographic Printing

Flexographic printing uses fast drying inks and soft plates (photopolymer material) to print on a wide range of substrates, including product packaging to paper sacks, plastic bags, milk and beverage cartons, disposable cups, and even labels, adhesive tapes, envelopes, and newspapers. Without using viscometers to ensure consistent viscosity, branding images and messaging may not print correctly, leading to increased ink consumption, inconsistent and low-quality print and rejected print runs.

Gravure Printing and Viscosity Measurement for Quality Output

Gravure printing uses ink combined with a cylinder-mounted metal plate to produce sharp, fine images. This method is often used for long, high-quality print runs — but it’s costly. Implementing viscosity measurement through reliable viscometers ensures consistency in ink performance, helping maintain clear text and vibrant images in publications, packaging, and decorative prints.

Corrugated Printing and the Role of Viscometers

Corrugated printing focuses on printing on corrugated substrates like pizza boxes, retail displays, and shipping containers. Without proper viscosity control, results can include streaking, halos, smudging, fisheyes, and off-colors. These issues drive up ink usage and waste. A process viscometer, paired with an ink filter, can remove contaminants and keep viscosity stable, improving consistency and reducing costs.

Pad Printing and Ink Viscosity Control Systems

Though technically a type of gravure printing, pad printing stands apart for its ability to print on complex or irregular surfaces like golf balls, electronics, medical devices, clothing, and toys. Here, ink viscosity is especially sensitive — too dry or too wet, and you get poor image transfer. Using a viscometer and ink viscosity control system ensures repeatable, high-quality results by managing the consistency index viscosity of the ink throughout the production process.

Conclusion 

Proper viscosity control is essential in every stage of flexographic printing, gravure, corrugated, and pad printing. Using accurate viscometers, ink filters, and a reliable ink viscosity control system ensures consistent print quality and reduces waste.

For more information, please contact INKSPEC.  Sales@inkspec.com  +14504415005  www.inkspec.com