Standardization News

A new ASTM International standard will be used to ensure that printing inks produce the correct visual effects and have the correct physical and chemical performance required before being used in costly manufacture of publications and packages.

The new standard, D7680, Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks by a Motor-Driven Printability Tester, has been developed by Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks, part of Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications.

"D7680 provides guidelines for equipment that is frequently used in the printing ink and graphic arts industries," says Peter Ford, technical director, US Ink Corp., and chairman of D01.56. "Often the resulting lab proof prints are used for other critical tests such as assessment of gloss, color, abrasion resistance and more. To get meaningful results in these tests, it is essential that the prints are prepared in a standard, controlled method."

D7680 will be used by quality assurance departments and development and research laboratories dedicated to printing, printing ink and the graphic arts. Subcommittee D01.56 welcomes participation from individuals and companies involved in the use of printing ink products. The following are among the proposed standards being developed by D01.56:

To purchase ASTM International standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585).

CONTACT Technical Information: Peter Ford, US Ink Corp. • Carlstadt, N.J. • Phone: 201-935-8666 • Email: peter.ford@usink.com O ASTM Staff: Jeffrey Adkins • Phone: 610-832-9738 • Email: jadkins@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: June 19-21 • In conjunction with D02 June Meeting • Baltimore, Md.