ASTM D7163-05(2010)

Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Printed Matter

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Specular gloss is a very important appearance parameter of printed matter. High gloss may be preferred for some purposes such as magazine covers, packaging and advertising, while lower gloss is preferred for minimizing glare, for example, in reading text.
This method provides a means of determining gloss of prints produced in the laboratory, or to monitor print gloss on a production printing press.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the specular gloss of printed matter.  
1.2 This test is applicable to prints on any flat substrate including paper, paperboard, metallic foil and plastic produced by any printing process, either in the laboratory or on a production printing press.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, is any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2010
• ICS: 37.100.01 - Graphic technology in general
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.56 - Printing Inks

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7163-05 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Printed Matter
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D7163–05(Reapproved2010)
Standard Test Method for
1
Specular Gloss of Printed Matter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7163; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining 4.1 Printed samples are selected that are the same color/
the specular gloss of printed matter. shade and uniformly produced at equal optical print density or
1.2 This test is applicable to prints on any flat substrate at known ink film thickness.
including paper, paperboard, metallic foil and plastic produced 4.2 The specimens are placed on a flat surface atop several
by any printing process, either in the laboratory or on a sheets of the designated backing.
production printing press. 4.3 Acalibrated glossmeter is positioned on the specimen in
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the a consistent print direction. The most prevalent glossmeter
safety concerns, is any, associated with its use. It is the angle for printed matter is 60 degrees (30 degrees from the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- plane of the specimen).
priate safety and health practices and to determine the 4.4 Depending on the size of the print, gloss measurements
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. are made on three to five different positions on each specimen.
The mean values from three specimens are averaged for
2. Referenced Documents
reporting purposes.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss
D528 Test Method for Machine Direction of Paper and 5.1 Specular gloss is a very important appearance parameter
3
Paperboard of printed matter. High gloss may be preferred for some
D1223 Test Method for Specular Gloss of Paper and Paper- purposes such as magazine covers, packaging and advertising,
3
board at 75° while lower gloss is preferred for minimizing glare, for
D5039 Test Methods for Identification of Wire Side of example, in reading text.
3
Paper 5.2 This method provides a means of determining gloss of
E284 Terminology of Appearance prints produced in the laboratory, or to monitor print gloss on
a production printing press.
3. Terminology
6. Apparatus
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 gloss, n—angular selectivity of reflectance, involving 6.1 Specular glossmeter, preferably a multi-angle model
surface reflected light, responsible for the degree to which having 20, 60, and 85º geometry; alternatively, a single-angle
reflected highlights or images of objects may be seen as model having 60º or other geometry as agreed upon between
superimposed on a surface (Terminology E284); surface luster producer and user. Table 1 lists recommended angles for
or shine. various purposes.
3.1.2 specular gloss, n—gloss when the angle of viewing is 6.2 Reflection-densitometer, for determining optical print
the same as that of the lighting (Terminology E284). density.
7. Materials
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 and is the
7.1 Unprinted substrate (optional), identical to that used for
direct responsibility of Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks.
the printed sample.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2010.PublishedJuly2010.Originallyapproved
in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D7163 - 05. DOI: 10.1520/
7.2 Backing material, for use during instrumental measure-
D7163-05R10.
ments. By agreement between producer and user, the backing
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
for paper substrates may be a standard matte black or at least
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on three sheets of the unprinted paper; for clear film, a standard
the ASTM website.
black or a standard white.
3
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D7163–05 (2010)
TABLE 1 Recommended Specular Glossmeter Angles uncoated stock, is that they influence the pattern of surface irregularities
and, in turn, measured gloss values.
Glossmeter
Test Method Purpose
A
Angle in degrees
9.4 If the prints are from routine laboratory printing or from
60 (30) D523 For inter comparing most specimens
a production press, measure the optical density and select at
or for determining when 20° or 85°
least three prints
...