What should I use to clean up ink from an offset press?

Question

Some of the ink is still tacky and some is dry some is still really runny. I assume it is oil based, but I am not sure as the label on the can is in german.

Answer 1

I worked in that trade for many years, and it surprised me to see your Q, given that desktop publishing has kind of pushed offset to back street shops.

I have to assume however that you must have suppliers available either online or locally through the yellow pages that still sell products for offset print shops.

The "Ink" itself should never have been allowed to "dry" as any ink left on the rubber of the rollers, eventually degrades them, as well as the "stuff" that comes off of the paper. German or not, the ink may have "lacquers" or other agents in it, that aid in drying, and NON offsetting to sheets that are delivered on top of each other. My major experiences were with Multiliths, but I went through other presses as well. Also any offset powder used in your process is added to the ink resevouir through the process.

Certainly you need to find something that will soften and loosen the dry inks, without degrading the rollers, but I wouldn't advise trial and error. Professional advise for the ink base is the first place I'd try.

I do have another suggestion since you obviously have internet. Go to a free translation site, and type in the info on the ink container label. German to English or whatever. INK, it seems to me, as an offset medium would have to be anything but acrylic based.

This also seems to me a good time to break down the inking system, and thourougly clean ALL of it. Another suggestion, or thought I have is the issue of cleanup after every use, even to the point of discarding ink. There are additives that can be spouted into an inking tray to keep ink viable, for "short" periods of time, but I preferred disposal, especially at the cost of possibly losing a job and/or materials such as paper and equipment replacement. Transfer rollers aren't cheap.

I can't recall now the actual solvents, but do recall they had an odd, "print shop" smell, but not offensive or toxic to touch. The solvents also seemed to have a rapid dry capability, much like acetone, as it evaporates, but I suspect acetone was not an ingredient.

You might also try, in your translation search,,, the actual manufacturer, and getting notes off to them about the ingredients and your issue.

Good luck.

Steven Wolf

I have to ask this. Have you a blackened, seemeingly permanently marked thumb, with a callous, from removing the "foosies" as the rollers spin in a multi ream run? smiles

Answer 2

Any solvent should work. You may even be able to use WD-40 although I have not tried that myself.

ADDITIONAL:
After reading the following answer from Steven I realized you might be asking about removal of ink from a press instead of off of your hands and shoes! Our pressman uses a solvent called Ceiling to Sewer. It smells like oranges and isn't toxic. You may be able to call any printshop and ask if they will sell you some, or put you in touch with their supplier.

Steven, isn't it amazing how this profession gets inside of you and won't quite let go?