Pigment bleeding
High severitySymptoms
Color migrates into the coating, laminate or neighboring inks; colored halos
Probable causes
- Pigment soluble in the finishing medium (alcohol, UV, adhesive)
- non-alkali-resistant ink for soaps/detergents
The Print Guy · 2026-10-05
Other problems in this category
Ink (material) · TPG-056
Crystallization (next ink won't trap)
On reprint or second pass, the new ink slides or won't wet the previous one
Ink (material) · TPG-054
Skinning in the fountain
Dry crust on the fountain ink; generates hickeys
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-058
Low ink gloss
The print looks flat even though the ink is glossy
Ink (material) · TPG-059
Bronzing
Odd metallic sheen on dark solids, especially blues and blacks