Ink Transit (Gravure)

Siler explains ESA works by raising the ink surface in the cell above the surface profile of the cylinder, which facilitates contact between ink and substrate. The difficulty lies in water-based inks.

"Water-based inks leave a slightly 'damp' substrate," says Siler, "It is commonly understood that damp webs do not readily hold electrostatic charges." While power supply currents can be increased for effective ESA usage in some cases, in others, the formulation is simply too conductive to support the necessary electric field.