Abstract: A foamable ink composition which comprises a water-based printing ink, a foaming agent and a pseudoplastic additive. The ink, foaming agent and pseudoplastic additive are foamed with a compressed gas. The pseudoplastic additive aids in the mixing of the ink with the gas and enhances the stability of the foam. The foam is especially adapted for application to a gravure cylinder where it is doctored to convert the foam bubbles into thin discrete membranes spanning the gravure cells. These membranes then are transferred, either directly or indirectly to a moving web.

Abstract: A printing process employing a water-based foamable ink composition comprising the following steps:(a) foaming the ink composition,(b) applying a coating of the foamed ink composition to the surface of a gravure cylinder which has an array of open cells spaced on the surface thereof,(c) doctoring the surface of the cylinder to convert said coating into discrete thin membranes spanning said cells, and(d) transferring the membranes to a web surface, either directly, or indirectly via one or more intermediate transfer rolls.