Solvent Evaporation from Web Offset Heatset Inks During Web Offset Heatset Printing: An Experimental Model

A method has been developed to model the function of a web offset heatset press drying unit. The method developed was then used to determine the quantity and composition of retained solvents in web offset heatset prints. A modified DuPont model 951 thermogravimetric analyzer modeled the press oven function and also monitored the weight loss. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of the volatiles and extraction of the non-volatiles from the substrate followed by GC analysis identified these components. This technique is effective for modeling printing ink emissions on a web offset heatset press.