Why wash selection matters: The hidden impact on print quality and press life

When it comes to improving offset printing quality, inks, blankets, and rollers often take centre stage in discussions. However, behind the scenes is an unsung hero whose role is just as important – the press wash.

Without the right wash, even the best inks cannot deliver the consistent quality that brand owners and their customers expect. Wash selection plays a role in everything from supporting consistent colours to extending equipment lifespans, saving printers significant time and money in the long run. Solutions like our VARN® range are key players in advancing pressroom efficiency, offering intelligent wash solutions designed for the most demanding cleaning tasks.

The science behind clean presses

Proper press cleaning means much more than just conducting routine maintenance. A clean press is fundamentally linked to print quality and production costs, as failure to keep up with cleaning means that ink residues, paper dust, and coating deposits can build up on blankets and rollers over time. These contaminants cause print defects such as smudging, patchy colour application, hickies, dot loss/dot gain, and streaks, negatively affecting quality and requiring costly reprints.

In contrast, a press that is clean delivers far more consistency, reduces rework and waste, and minimises downtime from machine malfunctions caused by piling and abrasion.

A clean press also means longer component life and better return on investment. By preventing abrasions and chemical degradation on blankets and rollers, proper cleaning reduces wear and tear. This helps presses run smoothly and reliably for longer periods of time, supporting production schedules and lowering total ownership costs.

Why choosing the right wash matters

Selecting a wash is not as simple as choosing the strongest or cheapest available solution. Aggressive or poorly matched washes can accelerate the degradation of rubber blankets and rollers – for example, although solvents in some washes can help release dried ink, frequent or harsh exposure also may lead to inferior print quality through blanket and roller swelling or hardening.

Common print issues linked to incorrect wash selection include streaking, ghosting, roller glazing, and slower cleaning times. An unfit wash may also result in longer cleaning cycles or more frequent roller replacements, both of which undermine press uptime and increase costs.

Understanding wash formulations

Different wash technologies can affect cleaning performance and press health in distinct ways:

Solvent-based washes: These formulations dissolve inks quickly and powerfully but often have higher volatile organic compound (VOC) content that can be harmful to operator health and the environment. They also pose flammability risks and can be harsh on press components if overused, and require a second cycle of a water wash to remove water-soluble contaminants.

Water-miscible washes: These washes can be mixed with water to better remove ink and water-soluble contaminants in one cycle, and can be formulated to tackle stubborn inks and lint, gum, and glaze.

Low-VOC washes: Specifically designed to meet stringent environmental standards, these formulations balance cleaning power with reduced emissions and health risks. Performance is optimised through solvent blends to maintain cleaning effectiveness, but they may be slower acting or more expensive than other formulations.

Matching washes to your pressroom needs

Maximising efficiency and print quality means printers must select a wash suited to their unique operational objectives. Printers should assess priorities such as cleaning speed, environmental goals, and operator comfort to choose the best fit.

Our VARN® wash range ensures a range of solutions tailored to individual pressroom requirements:

• VARN V60 Plus: A fast, high-performance, water-miscible, solvent-based wash designed to clean conventional oil-based inks, ideal for commercial printers prioritising speed and minimised downtime.
• VARN AIII Hydro-Solv: A water-miscible formulation for cleaning conventional and UV inks on a mixed mode press. This product emphasises operator safety, low odour, and environmental responsibility.
• VARN SFW 9295: A low-VOC wash designed to clean UV ink on a UV or combi press for printers focused on sustainability and regulatory compliance without sacrificing cleaning strength.

The impact of choosing the right wash resonates through the production process. Carefully selecting wash chemistry is essential to maintaining high quality and protecting presses, keeping them running smoothly, job after job. Our VARN range provides a suite of powerful cleaning tools that help printers harness the hidden power of proper cleaning, meaning that whatever their requirements, they can take a smart step towards optimising print performance and extending press life.