Thickened or expired ink (livering)
Medium severitySymptoms
Gummy, lumpy or gelled ink in the can
Probable causes
- Long or hot storage
- internal vehicle reaction
- contamination
The Print Guy · 2026-10-05
Other problems in this category
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-061
Wrong shade in mixed Pantone ink
The spot color doesn't match the Pantone guide
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