A Study of Waterless Web Offset Print Characteristics

Waterless web offset is gaining attention among US commercial printers as more printers are experimenting with the technology. One of the many advantages attributed to waterless printing is the increase in print quality. However, little quantitative data is available. This study compares the print quality of the waterless process with the conventional process in terms of colorimetric space, dot gain and contrast. In addition, this study attempts to quantify the difference in ink consumption between the two processes.