“squish” puddles

I can’t see the picture. I think it has to be a fairly small file and with no special characters in the name. Try giving the file a one word name with just letters.

Perhaps you have a gauge and the roller height is appropriate down the entire bed?

From your explanation is sounds indeed like too much ink on the press. Just because you’re getting the color you want doesn’t necessarily mean you have the right amount of ink on the press. Most colors will print darker/richer when there is heavier ink coverage (less of the paper being allowed to show through).

You can use less ink and darken the color through ink mixture prior to inking up the press.

Brad.

You’re printing a giraffe….

Have you considered that your form is too tall? Do you know if it is the correct type height?

…… Sorry, really terrible jokes. Just couldn’t resist ;)

That could certainly be the issue though HavenPress, if AmpersandPress could remove some packing from under the feet of the giraffe or maybe just cut away the tympan paper in that area to releave excess pressure that might solve the squish issue.
Bruce

Without a picture, one would have to assume it’s the neck causing the issue.

You did not say in what form the image of the giraffe is — a photopolymer plate on an aluminum base, an old wood-mounted zinc line cut, a wood engraving or linocut? Each has the potential to have the problem you describe for different reasons. It’s hard to analyze the problem without all the information. I would also guess that your rollers might be running across the giraffe’s legs rather than along them — that could cause a buildup of ink on one side or the other of the legs, causing the problem. More info would help troubleshoot.

Bob

You must have a very big press to print a giraffe. I am not nearly as tall as a giraffe, but if you tried to print me I’m sure there would be puddles on my feet too.

can’t be a very big market for printing on giraffes.

Thanks for all the advice. We are printing on a C&P 10x15 with polymer plates from Boxcar on a Boxcar base. We had a local couple come over and they suggested the rollers might be sliding rather than rolling. They gave us some things to put outside our base to raise the rollers, so they would be rolling on that instead of the rails. We will try using less ink with this one. I can’t seem to upload the photos, but I think my question was answered. Also, I appreciate the Giraffe humor. :-)

http://mrnutter32.tumblr.com/post/79589190566 I posted the pictures on Tumblr.

Qs:

Are your rollers adjusted using a type-high gauge?

What are you using to clean the plate?

What direction was the plate oriented on the base?

What stock is being used?

Looking at the images on tumblr I’d definitely think it’s an over inking issue. Could also be that the rollers are riding too low and applying too much pressure to the plate and causing the ink to squeeze over the shoulders of the plate image.

Brad.

Looks definitely like way, way too much ink. Mixing inks to Pantone guides is not an exact science, I find. Those guides are made for offset printing which lays down ink differently. You may need to match to a darker hue to achieve the color you want. I would start with getting your ink levels correct, then working on the color.

We just replaced the trucks, and adjusted the rollers to type high, but I will double check them again.

To clean the plate, we use a tiny bit of baby oil and a toothbrush. To clean the ink plate, we use California Wash.

The plate is oriented with the feet at the bottom of the base.

We are using Crane’s Lettra 110 weight.

We will try raising the rollers more and putting less ink on the ink plate. Thanks for the advice. :-)

I wouldn’t advise oil for cleaning the plate, it may interfere with adhesion. I’d wager that’s giving the mottled look. I’d try a dry cotton shop-rag or rag with a touch of presswash. The plate should be clean and dry for ink to evenly take.

I set rollers just under type-high, a “lollipop” gauge shows ~3/16” stripe when testing.

Baby oil doesn’t sound like a good idea at all.

ink slides off oily plate, type or numbering machine.

there is a commercial product called “platekote”, it is an aerosol solvent, used to spray and wipe off excess as soon as the polymer plate is made, stops further attack by oxygen and humidity, also after every time you print and clean off the ink. Note, have also used groundnut oil to wipe over a plate, but if this is left on it can seriously swell the polymer.