As any ink manufacturer knows, there’s a lot of science and experience that goes into formulating a successful ink. Selecting the right ingredients and equipment are critical. Working with vastly different substrates, from paper to plastics to metal, throughout the various printing processes, and color matching the inks so they appear the same on each, is a mandate from consumer brands. Meeting the latest regulatory and safety requirements is also an absolute necessity.
 
To help ink makers, its suppliers and its customers understand the world of ink, the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) has created its NPIRI Printing Ink Handbook throughout the years. Written by ink makers, the Printing Ink Handbook has undergone numerous revisions over the years, with its previous edition coming out in 2009.
 
Much has changed in printing since then, and NAPIM gathered leading experts in the field to revise the handbook. The newest edition is ready, and is a book that offers benefits for everyone throughout the industry.
 
“The book is incredibly handy,” said Dan Delegge of inksolutions, president of the National Printing Ink Research Institute (NPIRI), NAPIM’s technical arm “It is a great reference guide to quickly look at the different types of ink. It gives a good synopsis of what the formulation of the various types of ink look like, and helps people understand a little bit about the ink industry. It is put together by ink makers for ink makers, and it should be on every lab bench in the industry.”
 
George Fuchs, director, regulatory affairs and technology for the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, said that the new Printing Ink Handbook offers an excellent overview of all the printing processes and their ink requirements.
 
“We provide details on ink formulation, raw material selection, the impact on substrates on ink formulation, the basics of manufacturing printing inks, rheology concepts, current color technology, detailed information on each type of ink system from impact to non-impact printing, basics of ink testing and current environmental health and safety (EHS) issues,” Fuchs said.
 
John Copeland, NAPIM’s executive director, thanked the people who collaborated on the project, including Delegge, NPIRI VP Dr. Juanita Parris – Sun Chemical Corp., Lisa Fine – Joules Angstrom, Joe Cichon – INX International, Jerry Napiecek - ColorCon No-Tox Products, Pete Notti - Ink Systems, Dr. Danny Rich- Sun Chemical Corp., Dr. Ramasamy Krishnan – Sun Chemical Corp., Dr. Greg Pace – Sun Chemical Corp.  and Fuchs.
 
“They all played key roles in our work on the updated book,” Copeland added. “This is the very best reference book for printing ink that’s available anywhere. It also has a great glossary of ink terms.”
 
Fuchs said that bringing together the group of people to work together on this new version has improved the handbook.
 
“One of the things that happens when different people look at the book is that they bring a different perspective, which enhances the treatment of the topic,” Fuchs noted. “There is updated information on EHS issues, and how advances in color technology are changing how color is measured and produced. There is also updated data on printing ink manufacturing and usage.
 
“It’s the only book that provides an overview on practical applications of printing ink formulation and its use on press,” Fuchs added.
 
NAPIM’s Printing Ink Handbook can be pre-ordered on the NAPIM website at www.napim.org, or contact Fuchs at gfuchs@napim.org.