Kohler's Corner 

Jim Kohler, International Paper's Principle Scientist, has valuable insight into the latest printing technology. With more than 20 years in the business, Jim brings his hands-on experience to topics addressing the full range of concerns for the commercial printer. Check back here periodically for updates!

Quick Set Ink Article- The advantage of this type of quick drying ink is that the printer can leave it in the fountain without the worry of "skinning" (over) but the same ink will quickly dry on the printed substrate. Learn how it works!

Soy Ink Article - Explains the appropriate applications for using soy ink, including the advantages and disadvantages of this technique.

Back Trap Mottle - We all know that paper plays an important role in Back Trap Mottle. Learn what effect the dynamics of the press system might contribute to the problem. 

What is Blistering? - You are running a heavy coverage job with a coated sheet or board on a heatset web offset press when the press crew notices an effect on the surface of the printed sheet. The effect they sees appears as a bubble on many parts of the printed sheet. What is this effect?

Etchless Ink - Technology is advancing rapidly in the printing industry today - we have seen more advances in the last five years than we have in the last 50 years. While most of the technology has been in the pre-press area, advances in the press room have been made as well. Ink, for example, is getting better – soy, quickset and other new inks are hitting the market.

Files, files, and more files - There are so many electronic file types these days it is easy to become confused. So many file acronyms (PCX, TIF, PICT, WMF, CGM. GIF. JPEG) can lead to more confusion. How do you know which file to use for the web, presentations, digital or when going to an offset press?

Files, Files and More Files, Part Two - A couple of issues ago, I explained the various files used today on computers and for printing. I discussed bitmap, vector and combination files and how they worked. So where do printers use these files? Can we use a bitmap file for printing? Digital? Web? Presentation program? Where do they all fit?