Overview
ISO 2834-3:2008 - Graphic technology - Laboratory preparation of test prints - Part 3: Screen printing inks - defines a standardized laboratory method to prepare reproducible test prints produced with screen printing inks. Its primary purpose is to generate uniform test samples for optical tests (colorimetry, transparency, reflection density per ISO 2846-4), and it also supports tests for gloss, light fastness and chemical/physical/mechanical resistance of inks and substrates.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and intent: Test prints prepared for optical and resistance testing of screen printing inks on substrates such as paper, board, glass, textiles, plastics and metals.
- Printability tester: Motorized control required; adjustable and recorded settings for printing speed, squeegee angle, squeegee pressure and off-contact distance. A flooding device is required for uniform inking.
- Printing forme and mesh: Stencils produced with agreed capillary film thickness; polyester mesh with agreed mesh count/diameter (mesh volume affects ink laydown). Minimum solid-tone area specified (≥ 50 mm × 75 mm).
- Ink preparation: Define and record use of extenders, diluents/retarders and viscosity adjustments. Viscosity measured with an agreed viscometer method; test-ready ink composition and any additions must be reported.
- Environmental and test conditions: Conditioning and testing under ISO 187 standard atmosphere; agreed drying/curing method (ambient, IR, hot-air, radiation) and any time interval before curing for radiation inks.
- Reproducibility & quality checks: Perform five prints, discard first two, use last three for assessment; measure optical density (≥4 measurements per print) and report averages. Printability testers must produce a sample black density ~1.5 ± 0.3 and exhibit a density standard deviation ≤ 0.03 (minimum 25 measurements) for acceptable uniformity. Replace forme if reference density changes >5% over life.
- Reporting: Report must reference ISO 2834-3 and include all key parameters: equipment, mesh/stencil specs, squeegee/flooding settings, extender/diluent details, viscosity method and value, substrate, drying/curing, ambient conditions and mean density results.
Applications and who uses it
- Ink manufacturers: to prepare standardized samples for color and performance verification during R&D and quality control.
- Print laboratories and QC teams: for reproducible optical and durability testing of screen-printed samples.
- Substrate and OEM evaluators: to assess interactions between inks and substrates (primers, treatments).
- Standards bodies and certification labs: to harmonize inter-laboratory comparisons and ensure consistent test methods.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 2834-3, screen printing inks, test prints, printability tester, colorimetry, reflection density, printing substrate, viscosity, mesh, squeegee, drying/curing.
