Riso Ink Smearing

[ericny]

Hi,
I'm fairly new to Risographs and this board. I have a GR 3770.
I don't know if my problem is normal or if there is an easy way to get around it. I'm just having a problem with the ink not completely drying. I don't get any problems between the sheets themselves (not transfering ink to the back of the page above when they are stacked). It just seems like the ink smears very easily to the touch.

I've tried different weights of paper to average 20lb bond copy paper to 70lb vellum finish paper. I've also lowered the density when printing. The amount of ink and coverage area does affect it but even small areas smear to the touch the next day. I'm using Riso branded ink right now in a variety of color drums.

Any experience with this or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

[dvdandrea]

I'm in exactly the same boat.

Best luck I've had so far is with construction-type paper, which leads me to believe that texture/soft surface is best, although I'd ideally like to print on something a bit nicer.

Anybody have advice ...?

Thanks!

[Kopyrtek]

I would have to say that this issue is pretty common.Even more so when you move to the soy based ink.

[dvdandrea]

I would have to say that this issue is pretty common.Even more so when you move to the soy based ink.

Have you found a solution?

[Kopyrtek]

Not at all.I do have better luck with paper that has more texture to it.Seems to want to dry more.Absorbs the ink better i suppose.

[dvdandrea]

Not at all.I do have better luck with paper that has more texture to it.Seems to want to dry more.Absorbs the ink better i suppose.

Ok, thanks. I'm determined to figure this out!
Looks like my ink (included w/ second-hand machine) expired in 2008, so I am going to start there by buying new ink.
Trying to do small books, so any smearing just isn't going to fly.

If anybody has input please post...

Thanks

[Kopyrtek]

Shelf life on ink is 2 years.Never know how long it sat on the shelf.But it is one other thing to look at

[dvdandrea]

Hi Eric
Sorry to see that you're having roller issues...but does this mean you've solved the ink smearing issue at all?
David

[RRodgers]

Have you found a solution?

I've had people aim a fan at the exit to help dry the ink. It does work but the fan has to not blow too hard or it will make the paper jam when it comes out.

It's usually based on paper weight though. The more absorbent the better.

[dvdandrea]

Hm. I haven't had any luck. A blowdryer directly on a print for a few minutes helps, but still doesn't work 100%.
Any specific papers that have worked for you? I'm really familiar with fine art and printmaking papers and have tried a lot of different ones.
Absurdly, the only thing that has worked is old construction paper!!! (which I can't use for fine art books!)
thx.
DV

[joelsa12]

Too much ink.

There are a lot of reasons why your ink would smear to the touch. First and foremost Riso ink must be absorbed to dry. It you are printing on paper with a slick finish this would cause this. There are many adjustments in your machine that will take down the ammount of ink that you are putting down. The density button does not have too much effect. Are you printing from a computer or the scanning from the glass? Have you tried scanning the image lighter to see if this makes a difference? There are many adjustments like I said on the drum and the machine. You may need to contact a tech to do these adjustments.

[Bitterroot Charles]

Ink Smearing and Printing Through To The Paper's Back

An ink problem that is worse for me is print through to the back of the paper. In printing a book I found that I had to discard cheap 20 lb bond for the slightly heavier and more expensive 24/60 lb weight (brand: Wausau paper 96 brightness white Exact Ice #58601). I cut back on ink density to a minimum and as well made the master on manual scan light, which might also cut the smearing. With time the ink dries somewhat but even on a book done a year ago under the conditions I just described, you can still get a smear if you work at it (especially with bold headlines).

I would suggest trying to see if a heat lamp or halogen lamp would dry the ink. If so, maybe you could securely position such a lamp to heat the paper just as it comes off the delivery tapes printing at slow speed. But these lamps can set fires so be sure the paper doesn't come in contact with them, keeps moving and I would always have my eyeballs on it. Another possibility would be to fix up some kind of conveyor that takes each sheet before it drops into the delivery tray and then subject each sheet to a more prolonged treatment of heat and light.

I wonder if operating the Riso in a cooler environment that chills the ink would cut down on the density of the ink on the paper.

I asked an experienced GR 3770 repairman if there was some internal setting by which one could cut the ink further than the keyboard controls allowed. He said there wasn't. I don't know if newer model Riso machines have more control over the ink, maybe the ones with computer hookups? Good luck!

[joelsa12]

I am an experienced Riso tech!

I know for a fact there are multiple ways to cut down the amount of ink that your machine is putting out! I have never had to put a dryer on the back of the machine to get the ink to dry. If you are having to do this your machine is not adjusted properly for the conditions that it is opperating in.

[Bitterroot Charles]

Thanks, my ideas were mostly speculations and I am a novice with Riso. When I say "smear" I mean you have to rub the ink to get it and it gets less with time. I certainly can live with what I get.

But I would be interested in ways to cut back on the amount of ink deposited on the paper beyond the controls on the keyboard because it might make it possible for me to go to a lighter grade paper. Appreciate your information.

[joelsa12]

Way to cut back the ink.

There are many adjustments that you can use to cut back the ink. This adjustments must be done by someone who knows what they are doing.

squeege gap adjustment
drum body gap adjustment
resting position of the hook adjustment
PCM adjustment
TPH Voltage

All of these things can be adjusted on way or another to put down more ink or to put down less ink. All of them should be adjusted by some one who understands what they are doing. Wish I were closer I would love to come fix your machine so it would operate properly for you, but I am too far away.