Operating Manual

24.3.6 Specific gravity
If the inks used in the colorant calibration series (including transparent white) are of more or less
the same specific gravity, this input is not required. However, certain inks (e.g. opaque white)
have a markedly higher specific gravity than other inks. In such cases, entry of the specific gravity
( see Section 14.4.3 «Defining an assortment») leads to better results.
24.3.7 Viscosity in flexo and gravure printing (viscosity module only)
It is an absolute prerequisite that all the inks in the colorant calibration series should be printed
with the same viscosity. For this reason, it is recommended that all basic inks (not yet print ready)
should first be adjusted to the same printing viscosity by adding a solvent and only then mixed
with transparent white (varnish).
The transparent white must have the same printing viscosity as the inks.
When creating an assortment, it is essential to indicate to the program the printing viscosity
(viscosity of the colorant calibrations) and, as a minimum, the percentages of solvent used to
obtain the printing viscosity for the inks of the colorant calibration series ( see Section 14.4.2
«Preparing an assortment»). To permit the calculation of recipes for other viscosities, it is necessary
to enter the viscosity curves ( see Section 14.4.7 «Entering a viscosity»).
24.3.8 Balance
If recipes are to be mixed with only small ink quantities (less than 100 g), it is necessary to use
an electronic balance which is accurate to within at least 1/10 of a gramme.
User-friendly weighing software is provided by GretagMacbeth for Mettler scales and the
Connex Tabletint.
24 • Application notes 185