ASTM D4361

Standard Test Method for Apparent Tack of Printing Inks and Vehicles by a Three-Roller Tackmeter

Tack of printing inks controls their high-speed transfer properties, as manifested by throughput in roll milling, picking of paper during printing, and wet trapping in multicolor printing. Although an apparent tack measurement does not completely predict the transfer performance of an ink or a vehicle, it provides a meaningful parameter for quality control, development, and research.

A number of three-roller tackmeters are available that differ in design features such as roller weight, geometry, and composition of the distribution system. Instruments of different types do not give the same apparent tack readings.

Instruments of the same type will only give apparent tack readings within tolerance, provided that they are maintained and calibrated properly and in the same manner.