Temperature

• The ambient temperature of a room, and the temperature of the ink itself, can cause unwanted emulsification. When the temperature is high, the ink becomes less viscous and pulls in excess water from the air. Too much water can cause unclear images and voids to appear on the printing surface. The temperature of the ink must also be monitored. In printers using an alcohol-based dampening solution, the ideal temperature is 50 to 59 F. For alcohol-free dampening solutions the ideal temperature range is 54 to 62 F.
  
  

Ink and Water Ratios

• The improper ratio of ink to water can cause unwanted emulsification to occur. There is no standard ratio for QuickMaster inks as the projects, paper and processes are different depending on the job. Water affects the density of the ink which has an impact on how it performs during printing. Most mistakes involving the ink and water ratio occur during the early stages of printing, so it is best to start with low levels of ink and water at the start of any job. This leaves more room for making adjustments to the ink balance as the printing continues.
  
  

Paper Quality

• Another factor that can impact emulsification of the ink in your QuickMaster is the type of paper being used for your project. Most paper manufactured in North America is done using an alkaline process and many mills use precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) as a filler in the paper-making process. PCC makes for more opaque, whiter paper but the calcium deposits can come out of the paper and build-up on the internal mechanisms in your printer. These build-ups can affect the way ink transfers from roller to paper and cause unwanted emulsification.
  
  

Fountain Solutions

• The proper role of fountain solution is to act as the negative medium during printing by going on the areas the ink should not go.The fountain solution being used in your QuickMaster may be contributing to ink emulsification. Acidic fountain solutions are best suited for sheet fed and heat set printing. Newspaper printing works best with a neutral fountain solution. A small amount of fountain solution does transfer to the ink during printing, but the wrong fountain solution may have a chemical attraction to compounds in the ink and draw more water into it thereby causing emulsification.