Thread: Waterless Printing

Who's got experience with waterless printing? I'm curious to know what the industry thinks of this technology.

It was suppose to be the next big thing in printing in the 1990's.
Some shops got it to work well while others gave up.

From what I heard the plates were way too easy to damage and were impossible to repair.

I tried Toray in the mid 80's...sounded too good to be true..it was!

The tack levels were too high for the substrates we were running (packaging boxboard) and we ended up delaminating the coating from the backing a lot of the time.

However I'm told that things have moved on a pace and, if you're prepared to stick with it, it can give very good results at high screen rulings.

Inker temperature control is a must.

I'm not sure if there are PMS or metallics in the range or if it's just process inks.

To get the most out of waterless if I remember. each printing unit has to be at a certain temperature. You need the hollow vibrator chiller rollers with different temp control for each unit.

I know a technology of 3D printing can do with waterless printing.You can see the process following this link:http://www.asian-inkjet-media.com/newsshow.asp?id=89

waterless printing was a thing of the 90s
by not using water, your color was achieved faster,and w/less amount of set up sheets
the cost of the tank/system was enormous,and not too many pressman were able to achieve & maintain presses from scumming/plates were costly/and hard for operator to fix pin holes/scratches etc.... unless you have a pressman that understands the theory of waterless printing,i would suggest stay away,amd go w/the normal operation of offset printing.

We printed some very nice pieces. 3oo line screen. Close to continuous tones. But as a pressman it was a nightmare. We likened it to a "bus accident"

what was a nightmare controlling the system.
in the 90s i was running a 6/40 komori waterless,with tri/services system control
alot of the pressman had a hell of a time getting used to controlling system,so it wouldnt drive up....at the time i was working for upper deck baseball cards...
kinda tricky isnt it.
one good thing you get a crisp color.
and color was achieved quickly w/little set up sheets.
were are you located who are you working for...
is your co. still trying to work production waterless??
im in san diego california,the job market out here now adays is terrible.
keep in touch,if you need any help in the future,feel free to post me and i will help in any way i can. i still remember a lil about waterless , its been a while.
good luck, take care pal