ASTM_D_6487_-_10.pdf

Designation:D648710Standard Practice forPreparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks Using a HandOperated Laboratory Flat-Bed Press1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6487;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This practice covers the procedure for preparing printsof paste inks using a hand operated flat-bed laboratory proofpress.The initial method was developed by the NationalPrinting Ink Research Institute.21.2 This practice is applicable to the preparation of single-color solid-area prints by the dry offset process(also known asLetterset)on a flat substrate such as paper or metal.It canreadily be adapted to print by direct letterpress.3NOTE1The proofing press described in this practice can also be usedwith printing gages in accordance with Practice D6846.1.3 This practice is applicable primarily to lithographic andletterpress inks that dry by oxidation or penetration.With theaddition of appropriate drying or curing equipment,it is alsoapplicable to other systems such as heat-set or energy-curable.1.4 The instructions in this practice are intended to mini-mize the within-print and among-operator variability inherentin hand operations.1.5 This practice does not measure the actual film thicknesson the print,but evaluates film thickness equivalence by visualor instrumental comparisons of reflection density.1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the users of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precau-tions are given in Section 7.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:4D6073 Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset PrintingInksD6846 Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inkswith a Printing GageD7305 Test Method for Reflection Density of Printed Matter2.2 ANSI Standards:5PH 2.30 Viewing Conditions for Graphic Arts andPhotographyColor Prints,Transparencies and Photome-chanical ReproductionsCGATS.5 Graphic TechnologySpectral Measurements andColormetric Computation for Graphics Arts Images3.Summary of Practice3.1 Prints are prepared by metering the test ink onto abrayer,rolled out evenly,on the distribution plate according toa specified pattern,and then transferred to the printing plate.The substrate is clipped onto the impression plate,and theblanket cylinder is rolled over the inked plate six timesfollowed by once over the substrate.3.2 After the print is dry to the touch,it is evaluated versusthe target reflection density instrumentally or by visual com-parison with a standard reference print.Subsequent prints canbe made if the target reflection density has not been achievedor if a visual assessment indicates that either more or less inkis needed.4.Significance and Use4.1 Laboratory proofing of ink is necessary to establish areproducible prediction of print appearance and performanceproperties,most of which are highly sensitive to ink filmthickness.The apparatus described in this practice has foundwide use for routine control proofing because it provides an1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint andRelated Coatings,Materials,and Applications and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.Current edition approved July 15,2010.Published July 2010.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D6487-04.DOI:10.1520/D6487-10.2“The NPIRI Standard Procedure for Preparing Little Joe Prints,”American InkMaker,March 1994,pp.42-50.3The apparatus used to develop this method was the Little Joe Offset ColorProofing Press.4For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.5Available from American National Standards Institute,13thFloor,11 W.42ndStreet,New York,NY 10036 or Committee on Graphic Arts Technical Standards,1899 Preston White Drive,Reston,VA 20191-4367.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 economical method for producing reasonably large prints atfilm thicknesses comparable to those obtained on productionpresses.4.2 This practice does not duplicate the dynamics of a highspeed press,nevertheless,it is useful for quality control and forspecification acceptance between the producer and the userwhere there is an agreed