Abstract: A method of making a water-based publication gravure ink is provided wherein a polyamide resin or a mixture of the polyamide resin and a second resin is ground to produced a ground resin, and then the ground resin is mixed with water, a base, and a colorant. The resin/water/base/colorant mixture is then milled to produce a color dispersion, which is then mixed with an emulsion and water to produce a press-ready ink. Preferably, the water, the base and a dispersant are mixed first, and then combined with the colorant to produce a colorant slurry. The colorant slurry is then mixed with the ground resin, and milled to produce a slurry color dispersion. Also provided are water-based publication gravure inks made according to the methods outlined above, and a water-based publication gravure ink including water, a colorant, a mixture of a polyamide and a resin other than the polyamide resin, a base, and a dispersant.

Abstract: A system for calibrating engraving heads used for engraving gravure printing cylinders determines a mean cell volume for cells forme din a test cut in a printing cylinder. The system of the present invention includes a procedure of cutting two or more test cuts in each printing cylinder. One of the test cuts is at the light end of the cylinder and the second is at he dark end. The morphological characteristics of a plurality of cells in each of the test cuts is measured, and morphological parameter values of the cell sin the test cut are computed. These morphological parameter values are compared with predetermined morphological parameter values, and each engraving head is adjusted in accordance with this comparison to cut the desired values within an acceptable tolerance band. The desired average values can be adjusted to take into account new inks, papers, batch variation in inks and papers, and diamond wear in the engraving head.

Abstract: An improved waterbased gravure ink includes an additive package. The ink exhibits reduced volatile organic compound content and improved printability as compared to conventional waterbased gravure inks. A method of printing using the ink includes the steps of introducing the ink into cells of a printing surface and applying the ink in the cells to a printing substrate, the printing surface being made using about a 120.degree. to 150.degree. diamond and about 120 to about 300 lines per inch.

Abstract: A system for calibrating engraving heads used for engraving gravure printing cylinders determines a cell volume for cells formed in a test cut in a printing cylinder. The system of the present invention includes a procedure of cutting two or more test cuts in each printing cylinder. One of the test cuts is at the light end of the cylinder and the second is at the dark end. The morphological characteristics of each individual cell in each of the test cuts is measured, and the average cell dimensions and volume per unit area are computed. These average values are compared with desired average values, and each engraving head is adjusted in accordance with this comparison to cut the desired values within an acceptable tolerance band. The desired average values can be adjusted to take into account new inks, papers, batch variations in inks and papers, and diamond wear in the engraving head.

Abstract: A blanket for offset lithographic printing is bonded to a carrier plate for use in a press with magnetic cylinders.