Print & Ink Technology

Contents

Printing Processes

  • Printing processes (letterpress, litho, flexo, gravure, screen, non-contact and speciality)
  • Market areas & relative importance for each process
  • Print characteristics of each process
  • Identification of print for each process

Colour Reproduction

  • Overview of colour theory
  • Colour measurement & colour matching
  • Spot colours
  • Process colour printing

Ink Drying

  • Chemical & physical principles of ink drying
  • Relationship with ink type printing processes & substrates
  • Drying System
    • heating action
    • uv & eb
    • microwave
    • convection

Raw Materials

  • Pigments & dyes
  • Base schemes
  • Resins
  • Solvents, monomers & oils
  • Additives

Principles of Rheological Measurement

  • Overview of theory
  • Apparatus for measuring ink viscosity
  • Fundamentals of pigment dispersion and wetting

Manufacture & Storage

  • Paste inks
  • Liquid inks

Ink Formulation

  • Ink requirements
  • Physical characteristics
  • Viscosity & tack effects

Testing & Control

  • Raw material testing
  • Ink quality control
  • Finished ink testing
  • Dry print testing

This three day course continues to provide a firm foundation in the terminology and concepts used in print & printing ink technology. The course covers the formulation, application, manufacture and testing of inks, and reviews in the context of the inks and substrates all the various printing processes.

Several changes have been made to the traditional course so it continues to closely reflect the changes that are taking place in the industry.

The new course includes:-

  • Laboratory demonstrations to illustrate some of the features of rheology, and the drying & testing of inks
  • Increased emphasis on non-contact (jet) printing
  • More information on minority topics such as ‘Speciality Inks’
  • A new section on ‘Substrates’, relating the commercial & technical requirements of printed material to the inks and printing methods
  • Modification to sections involving colour to recognise the importance of this topic in the modern printing processes

The course is aimed towards technical, commercial and sales staff who work for ink manufacturers, printing companies or suppliers of raw materials to the graphic arts industries. It can be especially beneficial to newcomers to the industry, enabling them to gain an initial foothold of knowledge and familiarity with the terms and concepts. It is equally advantageous to those with experience in one area of the technology who wish to broaden their knowledge in other printing techniques or more parts of the supply chain.

Tutors

Dr Richard Holman – Consultant in Print and Ink Technology, PRA

Mr Bruce McKay – Consultant in Printing Ink Technology

Bruce McKay has wide experience in the printing industry, particularly working on the development of new products within ink manufacture and the printing processes.

Venue

PRA, Hampton, Middlesex, UK

Dates and Times

23–25 February 2009
5–7 October 2009

The course runs from 9:30 to approximately 17:00 on the first day, from 9:00 to approximately 17:00 on the second day and from 9:30 to approximately 16:00 on the final day.

Course Prices

£1018 – PRA Members

£1204 – Standard

Prices are per delegate and include VAT, all course materials, tea, coffee and a light lunch. Prices do not include accommodation.

Registration

To book your place use our online registration form.

More Information

For further details contact Elisabeth Brown