Tack of printing inks controls their high-speed transfer properties, as manifested by throughput in roll milling, picking of paper during printing, and wet trapping in multicolor printing. Although an apparent tack measurement does not completely predict the transfer performance of an ink or a vehicle, it provides a meaningful parameter for quality control, development, and research.

A given tackmeter will produce repeatable results on a day-to-day basis only if proper attention is paid to calibration and maintenance procedures and to control of experimental variables referred to in 2.1.1.1.

Two or more instruments may not produce identical apparent tack readings, but if each gives repeatable results, they may be mathematically correlated.

Note 1—A number of three-roller tackmeters are available which differ in design features such as roller weight, geometry, and composition of the distribution system. It cannot be presumed that test results from these other types of tackmeters will either agree or correlate with those from the tackmeters specified in 6.1 and 6.2 of this test method.

1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining the apparent tack of printing inks using a mechanical or electronic model of a three-roller tackmeter.

1.2 This test method is applicable to paste-type printing inks and vehicles that are essentially nonvolatile under ordinary room conditions.

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.