Plate blinding
High severitySymptoms
Image gradually stops accepting ink; prints washed out
Probable causes
- Calcium deposits (paper, ink or hard water)
- aggressive fountain solution
- gum contaminating the image area
The Print Guy · 2026-10-05
Other problems in this category
Plates (CTP) · TPG-023
Fogged plate (won't stay clean)
Non-image areas accept ink from start-up
Plates (CTP) · TPG-025
Premature plate wear
Loss of dots and detail mid-run
Plates (CTP) · TPG-029
Uneven plate registration
Impossible to register on press; crosses don't line up between colors
Plates (CTP) · TPG-026
Scratches on the plate
Fine lines that print or cut through the image
Plates (CTP) · TPG-027
Dot out of calibration
Total gain out of standard; drifting greys
Plates (CTP) · TPG-028
Dried gum or developer residue
Irregular spots repelling ink at start-up