Skinning in the fountain
Medium severitySymptoms
Dry crust on the fountain ink; generates hickeys
Probable causes
- Oxidative ink exposed to air
- excess drier
- fountain left uncovered overnight
The Print Guy · 2026-10-05
Other problems in this category
Ink (material) · TPG-055
Ink hanging in the fountain (won't flow)
Ductor turns but ink doesn't feed; density drops
Ink (material) · TPG-057
Poor rub resistance
Ink marks or smears when the finished piece is rubbed
Ink (material) · TPG-061
Wrong shade in mixed Pantone ink
The spot color doesn't match the Pantone guide
Ink (material) · TPG-062
Thickened or expired ink (livering)
Gummy, lumpy or gelled ink in the can
Ink (material) · TPG-063
Loss of color strength
More film needed to reach density; gain shoots up
Ink (material) · TPG-064
Ink too long or too short for the press
Long: stringing and misting. Short: poor transfer and distribution