TAPPI TIP 0304-60 2008: A method to proof a flexo printing ink provides a practical operating procedure for creating small-scale ink proofs within a box plant. The paper covers the use of a hand-held anilox roll proofer, recommended apparatus, linerboard preparation, ink application, proofing technique, cleaning, safety precautions, and important limitations.
The method supports establishing print quality standards, diagnosing print quality problems, comparing ink performance across linerboards, evaluating multiple inks, and monitoring incoming ink consistency. It also explains that the procedure is operator dependent and intended primarily for visual assessment rather than numerical color measurement.
Application Scope: Flexographic printing ink proofing for corrugated board and linerboard applications in box plants; letterpress inks and mechanical proofers are outside the scope.
