1.1This practice describes the procedure for preparing laboratory prints of paste printing inks using a motor-driven printability tester.

1.2This practice covers printability testers of four different designs, referred to as Tester A, B, C, and D. These testers feature “push-button” control of printing speed and pressure and facilitate measurement of exact ink film thickness.

1.3This practice is intended primarily for lithographic and letterpress inks that dry by oxidation or penetration. With appropriate drying or curing equipment, it is also applicable to other systems such as heat-set or energy curable.

1.4This practice is applicable to the preparation of single-color solid-area prints by dry offset (also know as letterset) or by letterpress on any flat surface including paper, paperboard, plastic film, textiles, and metal.

1.5The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The only other unit of measurement used is fpm.

1.6This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.