Overview
ISO 2834-1:2020 - "Graphic technology - Laboratory preparation of test prints - Part 1: Paste inks" specifies a laboratory test procedure for producing reproducible test prints using paste inks (e.g., offset and letterpress systems). It defines how to prepare test prints on a variety of substrates (paper, board, metals, foils and other suitable materials) using electrically driven IGT-type and prüfbau-type printability testers. The standard focuses on creating prints with controlled reference optical density and reference ink film thickness (g/m²) for subsequent analysis and interlaboratory comparison.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and testers: Applies to electrically driven IGT-type and prüfbau-type printability testers; procedures described for current models (with notes on analogy to older models).
- Apparatus and materials: Inking devices, printing forme, ink pipettes, top rollers, substrate carriers, packing (rubber/paper), cleaning aids, solvents, analytical balance and reference materials.
- Substrates and inks: Guidance for paste inks (oxidative, setting, UV curing systems referenced) and multiple substrates suitable for offset/letterpress testing.
- Controlled environment: Conditioning and testing in a standard atmosphere per ISO 187 to ensure repeatability.
- Procedure steps: Sampling, conditioning, sample preparation, inking of printing forme, printing, drying and evaluation. Standard test settings and adjustments for target ink coverage or optical density are described.
- Evaluation metrics: Determination of transferred ink coverage (g/m²), optical density and colour measurements (referencing ISO photographic/colour measurement standards).
- Maintenance and reference tests: Annexes cover breaking‑in of elastomer rollers, roller maintenance and use of periodic reference tests to detect material deterioration.
Practical applications and users
ISO 2834-1:2020 is used where uniform, well‑defined laboratory prints are required for analysis, quality control and standardised testing:
- Ink manufacturers: evaluate film build, color strength and stability of paste inks.
- Printers and pressrooms: laboratory reproduction of print conditions for troubleshooting and QA.
- Substrate suppliers: assess ink–substrate interactions, absorption and appearance.
- Testing labs and R&D: produce standardized samples for fastness tests, optical characterization and interlaboratory comparisons.
- Standards developers: provides a basis for related printability standards and for use in ISO 2846-1, ISO 2846-2, ISO 2836 and others.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 2834-1:2020, graphic technology, paste inks, test prints, IGT-type, prüfbau-type, optical density, ink film thickness, laboratory preparation, printability testers.
