What is Waterless Printing?
An Inherently Simpler, Superior, Greener Printing Technology

Conventional "wet" offset printing requires two fluids—ink and dampening solution to reproduce an image on press. However, managing two different fluids in the printing press is by default a more complex process. Maintaining the proper balance of ink and water, while managing other critical factors like color and registration, makes the press operator's job much more difficult.

Waterless printing is an alternative printing system that runs on all standard offset presses. The key to waterless printing is a special plate that uses an ink-resistant silicone coating to eliminate the need for dampening solution.

Waterless printing features:

Offset printing on standard offset press—just turn off the dampening system!
Silicone polymer-coated waterless plate
Waterless ink
No more adverse effects of a "wet" system
Easy adaptation with existing skill set and workflow
Much better printing results on plastics and nonporous substrates

Waterless printing requires the following:

Thermal platesetter (830nM)
Offset sheetfed press with temperature-control capability
Toray waterless plate processor (24" or 44")

Conventional Versus Waterless Printing

Traditional "wet" offset has a number of critical control factors that complicate press operation and can directly result in quality and production issues.

Wet Offset: Critical Control Factors

Ink and water feed ratios
Fountain & sub mix %
Water hardness
pH/conductivity
Mechanical delivery (roller settings, durometer, condition, etc.)

Impact on Printed Results

Color variability
Increased dot gain
Reduced ink gloss
Ink interactions (UV, metallic, substrate, etc.)
Slow ink drying

Wet Offset: Two-Fluid System Based on a Chemical Process

Wet offset printing requires precise control of an ink/water emulsion. Fountain solution must be formulated and precisely delivered to dampen the non-image area of the plate, forming an ink-resistant background. Fountain and ink must be maintained in the proper balance (emulsion) to ensure optimum inking and wetting of the plate as illustrated below.

Too little water, and ink adheres in the background.

The right amount of water allows ink adhesion in the image area.

Too much water impedes ink adhesion in imaging areas.

Water/Ink Emulsion

Waterless Offset: Single Fluid System Based on a Physical Process

Waterless plates have an ink resistant background of silicone polymer. Ink adheres only in the image area and is physically resisted by the silicone background. No water or fountain solution is required.

The background (non-image) area is ink repellent silicon polymer.
Silicon has physical properties to resist ink (low surface energy).

The image area is oleophylic (attracts ink).
Ink adhesion/resistance is based on purely physical properties.

Waterless is a single fluid printing process. Controlling ink alone is a simpler and more consistent process. Fewer variables allow better control and more consistent results.