W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA - A new ASTM International standard will be used to ensure that printing inks produce the correct visual effects and have the correct physical and chemical performance required before being used in costly manufacture of publications and packages.

The new standard, ASTM D 7680, Practice for Preparing Prints of Paste Printing Inks by a Motor-Driven Printability Tester, has been developed by Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks, part of Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications.

“ASTM D 7680 provides guidelines for equipment that is frequently used in the printing ink and graphic arts industries,” said Peter Ford, Technical Director, US Ink Corp., and Chairman of D01.56. “Often the resulting lab proof prints are used for other critical tests such as assessment of gloss, color, abrasion resistance and more. To get meaningful results in these tests, it is essential that the prints are prepared in a standard, controlled method.”

Quality assurance departments and development and research laboratories dedicated to printing, printing ink and the graphic arts will use ASTM D 7680.

Subcommittee D01.56 welcomes participation from individuals and companies involved in the use of printing ink products. The following are among the proposed standards currently being developed by D01.56: ASTM WK 20008, Practice for Block Resistance of Inks and Coatings Using the I.C. Block Tester; ASTM WK 24830, Test Method for Measurement of Oxidation Drying Rate of Sheetfed Inks and Overprint Varnishes by a Manual Method; and ASTM WK 32271, Test Method for Evaluation of Foaming Tendency of Liquid Inks and Ink Vehicles.

Visit www.astm.org for additional information.