Offset ink

Offset ink is a specific type of printing ink used in offset printing, a commercial printing process. Such ink must be specially formulated to resist other chemicals it will come in contact with on the printing press, because the process relies on surface tension. It is widely used for printing high-quality images and text on paper, cardboard, and certain plastics.

Offset ink must resist water-in-ink emulsification (i.e., repel rather than absorb water). It needs to have specific physical and chemical properties to work correctly with the dampening solution (also called fount solution) or silicone coating that covers the non-printing areas of the engraved plate. Offset ink needs to be very rich in pigment so that its full color vibrancy is perceptible, even in minute quantity.

Offset ink consists of powdered pigments (organic or inorganic), binders (also called varnish in the trade), additives, and mineral oil as a carrier.

References

1 2 Leach, R. H.; Leach, Robert (1993-09-30). The Printing Ink Manual. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 343. ISBN 978-0-948905-81-0.
1 2 Gaikwad, Kirtiraj K.; Singh, Suman (2025-11-25). "4.2.1.1 Offset Printing". Concepts of Food Packaging. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-040-31488-3.
↑ Debeaufort, Frederic; Galic, Kata; Kurek, Mia; Benbettaieb, Nasreddine; Scetar, Mario (2021-03-31). Packaging Materials and Processing for Food, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons. p. 251. ISBN 978-1-119-82506-7.
1 2 3 Kipphan, Helmut (2001-07-31). Handbook of Print Media: Technologies and Production Methods. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 206–207, 211. ISBN 978-3-540-67326-2.
↑ Ford, P; Tuft, R (1988) [1961]. "Lithographic Inks". In Leach, R; Armstrong, C; Brown, J; Mackenzie, M; Randall, L; Smith, H (eds.). The Printing Ink Manual (4th, Illustrated ed.). Wokingham, Berkshire, England: Van Nostrand Reinhold International Co Ltd. p. 314. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-7097-0. ISBN 9789401170970 – via Society of British Printing Ink manufacturers Ltd. ..inks that are required to print full-strength colors

Ainsworth, Mitchell, C., "Inks and Their Composition and Manufacture," Charles Griffin and Company Ltd, 1904.

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[:1-1] 1 2 Leach, R. H.; Leach, Robert (1993-09-30). The Printing Ink Manual. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 343. ISBN 978-0-948905-81-0.

[:2-2] 1 2 Gaikwad, Kirtiraj K.; Singh, Suman (2025-11-25). "4.2.1.1 Offset Printing". Concepts of Food Packaging. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-040-31488-3.

[3] Debeaufort, Frederic; Galic, Kata; Kurek, Mia; Benbettaieb, Nasreddine; Scetar, Mario (2021-03-31). Packaging Materials and Processing for Food, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons. p. 251. ISBN 978-1-119-82506-7.

[:3-4] 1 2 3 Kipphan, Helmut (2001-07-31). Handbook of Print Media: Technologies and Production Methods. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 206–207, 211. ISBN 978-3-540-67326-2.

[sbpim-5] Ford, P; Tuft, R (1988) [1961]. "Lithographic Inks". In Leach, R; Armstrong, C; Brown, J; Mackenzie, M; Randall, L; Smith, H (eds.). The Printing Ink Manual (4th, Illustrated ed.). Wokingham, Berkshire, England: Van Nostrand Reinhold International Co Ltd. p. 314. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-7097-0. ISBN 9789401170970 – via Society of British Printing Ink manufacturers Ltd. ..inks that are required to print full-strength colors