Doctoring systems play an important role in removing excess ink, but they are not perfect.

By Missy Smith

Line it up

Suppliers have found that many doctor blade holders are not up to par, causing poor cylinder or roll alignment. “Many of the blade holders in gravure are as old as the press, and they have warped and been damaged over time, [resulting in alignment problems, ink leaking, excessive pressure, or lower contact angles],” says Jackson. “If you have not had your supplier in to check your ink pumping set-up then a service call should be a first step,” says McLaughlin, who recommends frequently changing seals and blades. “While there is a cost here, most people try to get just a little too much life out of these parts and it typically costs far more than it saves.”