This document provides instructions for adding water-based inks to a flexographic printing press. It describes arranging the inks from light to dark on the press stations, and then pouring or pumping the inks into the ink trays. It notes that the ink levels need to be monitored during long runs to ensure proper ink transfer and avoid spills. Cleaning spills involves using a damp rag.

1. How to Ink Up
A Flexo Press

2. There are three different kinds of inks
used in flexographic printing
Solvent-based
Water-based
and UV-curing Inks.

3. This is about
adding water based inks
to a flexographic press

4. First...
Gather all of the different colors of inks
that you plan
to use on the production run.
For four color process, this will be
yellow, magenta, cyan, and black

5. Arrange the inks from light to dark.
Start with yellow at the first station of the press.
For the second station, add magenta, then, cyan
on the third station, and finally, black on the last.

6. Pour in the ink

7. If you have a short run,
it may be better to “pan” the inks
This means that the ink will be poured
directly into the pan on the ink station,
and the rubber hose that is used for
Draining will be tied off,
so that no ink will drain out

8. If using this method, you should keep
a close watch on the ink station
while the press is running to ensure
that the ink remains at the correct level,
so that the proper amount of ink
is transferred to the anilox roller.
You may have to add more, as needed,
during the run

9. If you have a long run,
you will usually pump the inks

11. On each ink pump, place a liner in the pail
that you are going to add ink to.
Place the pump cover on the pail, and then pour
the amount of ink that you plan to use
through one of the holes on the cover

12. Place the hose that drains the ink from the ink station
tray, into one of the drainage holes on the pail cover, so
that it can drain back into the pail. Place the hose coming
from the pump into the pan on the ink station. Don’t
forget to double check that each hose is secure and will
not slip during a run

13. Turn on the pump so that ink begins to flow into
the pan. If you need a higher level of ink, place a
thick washer over the drain so that it acts a dam,
and raises the level of ink

14. As the level of ink begins to rise, adjust the
flow from the pump. If it is too slow, it can
stop pumping, as the ink gets thicker. If the
flow is too fast, it can overflow the tray and
drip ink on the web, ruining the printed
material, and creating a big mess

16. You should keep a check on all of the ink
stations throughout a production run. Make
sure that the pumps are working correctly,
the ink flow is steady, and the ink levels are
where they should be

17. When using a water based ink, you may
need to add an ounce or two of water, so
that the correct consistency and drying time
are maintained. If the ink is drying to fast,
you may need to add PH Adjuster

18. No matter how careful you are while
handling inks, a spill is bound to happen.
While this can be messy and troublesome, it
happens to press operators with years of
experience

19. Fortunately, water based inks can be
cleaned up with a damp rag and a little
elbow grease.

20. Fortunately, water based inks can be
cleaned up with a damp rag and a little
elbow grease.

21. For more information of Flexo Printing,
go to
Wayne Trademark