Anti Set-off Spray Powders used in the U.S.A.

I have a couple questions on the subject of Anti Set-off Spray Powders as it pertains to Sheetfed Offset Printers.

I see several brands of drying powders 'available' to the market posted at the DRUPA web site, I might be wrong, but I presume that would be products used in Europe.

Q1-As a curious person, I'd to know which drying powders are in use or are the most popular in the United States? Which one do YOU use at work?

Brands: Baldwin, Varn, OxyDry, KSL, Nikka? Others?
Types: Coated, uncoated? Other? And why?
What Size: (probably depends on what is being printed)
Any other desirable qualities or attributes?

Q2-Also, how are you purchasing these drying powder products or how are they distributed?

Direct from the Manufacturer?
From Dealers/Distributors?
From the Internet?

Q3-Finally, what are the bigger, well known names/sources from which to purchase this product in your area/region of the United States?

Thanks for you input.

 

We use OxyDry 20 - 30 micron uncoated here. That works for most of the jobs we print, plus we use aqueous coating for coated paper, so we dont normally switch power sizes/types. As far as the specific reason, we don't really have one, except for the given: One additional line of defense against set-off (even though I feel like the powder is only a very small assistance vs setoff). We have tried another brand I can't remember the name in the past (don't feel like looking up my documentation!) but it seemed to work about the same.

Dont really know how we purchase it, we have a separate department that negotiates our products, we just tell them what we need to print!

 

Kaoticor - Thanks for taking the time to give me your feedback and opinion.

I thought I might get more feedback on this question as this item was viewed more than 100 times but received only one reply.

Did I post it incorrectly?

Is there a better way to learn more on this subject?

Hopefully others will give me their opinions on the subject?

Thanks, Edgar

 

Edgar,

The anti-offset sprays do not act as dryers, the purpose is provide a cushion between sheets which will help prevent offset (sheets sticking together and/or transfering ink to the underside of the sheets).
Coated spray is good for 1 sided jobs and uncoated for multiple passes of a job. The higher the number the larger the spray granule.
We use a Prisco product and have used sprays from many other manufacturers. Heidelberg also has a line of consumable products called Saphira. If you go onto a manufactures sight most will have a chart of the different sprays they sell and may tell the best uses for those particular sprays. You can also phone their order desks and ask questions.

Here is a link to a (Canadian) Prisco page regarding spray. Prisco also has sites for the U.S. http://prisco.com/product_e.aspx?categoryid=1041&cb1=691&cb3=482

 

Grant,

Thank you for correcting my error believing that anti-setoff powder was used to 'dry' the inks between the sheets. It is used as a cushion between printed sheets. My mistake.

Also, 'Thank You' for responding to my questions on the powders. I've not heard of the Prisco brand and so far I've only heard of the Varn and OxyDry products as being most popular in the U.S.A.

I'm curious if press operators (or buyers) shop for this type of product based on 'lowest price' or 'highest quality'.

Anyway, thanks for the link to the Prisco brand. I'll check it out.

Edgar

 

Varn is a very reputable company. In the 30 years I have been running presses I have never come across an inferior spray. If a company makes a 'cheap' spray nobody will buy it. Purchasing the proper spray for your requirements is key. I suggest you speak to manufactures direct and graphic suppliers regarding pricing.

 

Grant B -

Thanks again for your suggestion on speaking to manufacturers and graphic suppliers.

My original intent by asking my question here was to learn from the actual users of these products and to determine from them directly what the most popular set-off spray was used in the United States.

I was hoping to get feedback from the actual users rather than the manufacturers perspective. I didn't want to get the 'sales pitch' if you know what I mean.

Thanks again for your help, Edgar

 

we use the varn 20 micron spray powder. i have no clue about if its coated or uncoated. we tried another brand when we first got our heidelberg, but kept running into problems with the lines clogging or just not spraying. our heidelberg tech recomended the varn and we havent looked back. we used oxydry at an old shop i worked at just because every press had an oxydry spray unit on them.

 

Tim -

Thanks for taking the time to give me your personal opinions on the setoff sprays you use at your site.

I would guess press operators at the 'bigger' printing establishments would most likely use the better known 'name' brand products such as Varn and/or OdyDry rather that some 'less expensive' $10.00/lb powders (am I correct?)

And, as you point out, it seems to make better sense to use the specific spray powders that either the press manufacturer (Heidelberg) or the spray unit (OxyDry) recommends.

Way fewer headaches that way!

Thanks again, Edgar