ISO 2834-1:2020

Overview

ISO 2834-1:2020 - "Graphic technology - Laboratory preparation of test prints - Part 1: Paste inks" specifies a laboratory test procedure for producing reproducible test prints using paste inks (e.g., offset and letterpress systems). It defines how to prepare test prints on a variety of substrates (paper, board, metals, foils and other suitable materials) using electrically driven IGT-type and prüfbau-type printability testers. The standard focuses on creating prints with controlled reference optical density and reference ink film thickness (g/m²) for subsequent analysis and interlaboratory comparison.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and testers: Applies to electrically driven IGT-type and prüfbau-type printability testers; procedures described for current models (with notes on analogy to older models).
• Apparatus and materials: Inking devices, printing forme, ink pipettes, top rollers, substrate carriers, packing (rubber/paper), cleaning aids, solvents, analytical balance and reference materials.
• Substrates and inks: Guidance for paste inks (oxidative, setting, UV curing systems referenced) and multiple substrates suitable for offset/letterpress testing.
• Controlled environment: Conditioning and testing in a standard atmosphere per ISO 187 to ensure repeatability.
• Procedure steps: Sampling, conditioning, sample preparation, inking of printing forme, printing, drying and evaluation. Standard test settings and adjustments for target ink coverage or optical density are described.
• Evaluation metrics: Determination of transferred ink coverage (g/m²), optical density and colour measurements (referencing ISO photographic/colour measurement standards).
• Maintenance and reference tests: Annexes cover breaking‑in of elastomer rollers, roller maintenance and use of periodic reference tests to detect material deterioration.

Practical applications and users

ISO 2834-1:2020 is used where uniform, well‑defined laboratory prints are required for analysis, quality control and standardised testing:

• Ink manufacturers: evaluate film build, color strength and stability of paste inks.
• Printers and pressrooms: laboratory reproduction of print conditions for troubleshooting and QA.
• Substrate suppliers: assess ink–substrate interactions, absorption and appearance.
• Testing labs and R&D: produce standardized samples for fastness tests, optical characterization and interlaboratory comparisons.
• Standards developers: provides a basis for related printability standards and for use in ISO 2846-1, ISO 2846-2, ISO 2836 and others.

Related standards

• ISO 187 (conditioning and atmosphere)
• ISO 5-4, ISO 13655, ISO 5631 (optical and colour measurement)
• ISO 2846-1 / ISO 2846-2 / ISO 2836 (related print/ink test methods)

Keywords: ISO 2834-1:2020, graphic technology, paste inks, test prints, IGT-type, prüfbau-type, optical density, ink film thickness, laboratory preparation, printability testers.