ASTM D6487-10

Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks Using a Hand Operated Laboratory Flat-Bed Press

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Laboratory proofing of ink is necessary to establish a reproducible prediction of print appearance and performance properties, most of which are highly sensitive to ink film thickness. The apparatus described in this practice has found wide use for routine control proofing because it provides an economical method for producing reasonably large prints at film thicknesses comparable to those obtained on production presses.
This practice does not duplicate the dynamics of a high speed press, nevertheless, it is useful for quality control and for specification acceptance between the producer and the user where there is an agreed upon specification for reflection density or standard reference print.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for preparing prints of paste inks using a hand operated flat-bed laboratory proof press. The initial method was developed by the National Printing Ink Research Institute.  
1.3 This practice is applicable primarily to lithographic and letterpress inks that dry by oxidation or penetration. With the addition of appropriate drying or curing equipment, it is also applicable to other systems such as heat-set or energy-curable.
1.4 The instructions in this practice are intended to minimize the within-print and among-operator variability inherent in hand operations.
1.5 This practice does not measure the actual film thickness on the print, but evaluates film thickness equivalence by visual or instrumental comparisons of reflection density.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the users of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in Section 7.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jul-2010
• ICS: 87.080 - Inks. Printing inks
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.56 - Printing Inks

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6487-04 - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks by Rollouts on a Laboratory Flat-Bed Press
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM D6487-10(2019) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks Using a Hand Operated Laboratory Flat-Bed Press
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D6846-02(2020) - Standard Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6487 − 10
Standard Practice for
Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks Using a Hand
1
Operated Laboratory Flat-Bed Press
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
4
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for preparing prints 2.1 ASTM Standards:
of paste inks using a hand operated flat-bed laboratory proof D6073 Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing
press. The initial method was developed by the National Inks
2
Printing Ink Research Institute. D6846 Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks
with a Printing Gage
1.2 This practice is applicable to the preparation of single-
D7305 Test Method for Reflection Density of Printed Matter
color solid-area prints by the dry offset process (also known as
5
2.2 ANSI Standards:
Letterset) on a flat substrate such as paper or metal. It can
3
PH 2.30 Viewing Conditions for Graphic Arts and
readily be adapted to print by direct letterpress.
Photography—Color Prints,Transparencies and Photome-
NOTE 1—The proofing press described in this practice can also be used
chanical Reproductions
with printing gages in accordance with Practice D6846.
CGATS.5 Graphic Technology–Spectral Measurements and
1.3 This practice is applicable primarily to lithographic and
Colormetric Computation for Graphics Arts Images
letterpress inks that dry by oxidation or penetration. With the
addition of appropriate drying or curing equipment, it is also
3. Summary of Practice
applicable to other systems such as heat-set or energy-curable.
3.1 Prints are prepared by metering the test ink onto a
1.4 The instructions in this practice are intended to mini-
brayer, rolled out evenly, on the distribution plate according to
mize the within-print and among-operator variability inherent
a specified pattern, and then transferred to the printing plate.
in hand operations.
The substrate is clipped onto the impression plate, and the
blanket cylinder is rolled over the inked plate six times
1.5 This practice does not measure the actual film thickness
followed by once over the substrate.
on the print, but evaluates film thickness equivalence by visual
or instrumental comparisons of reflection density.
3.2 After the print is dry to the touch, it is evaluated versus
the target reflection density instrumentally or by visual com-
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
parison with a standard reference print. Subsequent prints can
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
be made if the target reflection density has not been achieved
only.
or if a visual assessment indicates that either more or less ink
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
is needed.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the users of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 Laboratory proofing of ink is necessary to establish a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
reproducible prediction of print appearance and performance
tions are given in Section 7.
properties, most of which are highly sensitive to ink film
thickness. The apparatus described in this practice has found
wide use for routine control proofing because it provides an
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
4
Current edition approved July 15, 2010. Published July 2010. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D6487 - 04. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/D6487-10. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
“The NPIRI Standard Procedure for Preparing Little Joe Prints,” American Ink the ASTM website.
5 th nd
Maker, March 1994 , pp. 42-50. Available from American National Standards Institute, 13 Floor, 11 W. 42
3
The apparatus used to develop this method was the Little Joe Offset Color Street, New York, NY 10036 or Committee on Graphic Arts Technical Standards,
Proofing Press. 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4367.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6487–04 Designation: D6487 – 10
Standard Practice for
Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks by Rollouts on
1
aUsing a Hand Operated Laboratory Flat-Bed Press
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for preparing prints of paste inks using rollouts on aa hand operated flat-bed laboratory
2
proof press. The initial method was developed by the National Printing Ink Research Institute.
1.2This1.2 This practice is applicable to the preparation of single-color solid-area prints by the dry offset process (also known
3
as Letterset) on a flat substrate such as paper or metal. It can readily be adapted to print by direct letterpress.
NOTE 1—The proofing press described in this practice can also be used with printing gages in accordance with Practice D6846.
1.3 This practice is applicable primarily to lithographic and letterpress inks that dry by oxidation or penetration. With the
addition of appropriate drying or curing equipment, it is also applicable to other systems such as heat-set or energy-curable.
1.4 The instructions in this practice are intended to minimize the within-print and among-operator variability inherent in hand
operations.
1.5 This practice does not measure the actual film thickness on the print, but evaluates film thickness equivalence by visual or
instrumental comparisons of opticalreflection density.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the users of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in Section 7.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D6073 Test Method for Relative Setting of Heatset Printing Inks
D6846 Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks with a Printing Gage Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing
Inks with a Printing Gage
D7305 Test Method for Reflection Density of Printed Matter
2.2 ANSI Standards:
PH 2.17Geometric Conditions for Reflection Density
5
PH 2.18Spectral Conditions for the Measurement of Optical Density ANSI Standards:
PH 2.30 Viewing Conditions for Graphic Arts and Photography—Color Prints, Transparencies and Photomechanical
Reproductions CGATS.4Graphic Technology–Graphic Arts Reflection Densitometry Measurements—Terms, Equations,
Image Elements and Procedures
CGATS.5 Graphic Technology–Spectral Measurements and Colormetric Computation for Graphics Arts Images
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
Current edition approved June 1, 2004.July 15, 2010. Published July 2004.2010. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20012004 as D6487 - 014.
DOI: 10.1520/D6487-104.
2
“The NPIRI Standard Procedure for Preparing Little Joe Prints,” American Ink Maker, March 1994 , pp. 42-50.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The apparatus used to develop this method was the Little Joe Offset Color Proofing Press.
4 th nd
Available from American National Standards Institute, 13 Floor, 11 W. 42 Street, New York, NY 10036 or Committee on Graphic Arts Technical Standards, 1899
Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4367.
4
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
5
The apparatus used to develop this method was the Little Joe Offset Color Proofing Press.
5 th nd
Available from American National Standards Institute, 13 Floor, 11 W. 42 Street, New York, NY 10036 or Committee on Graphic Arts Technical Standards, 1899
Preston White Drive, Rest
...