During the cold winter months, some inks may feel thicker and harder to print with. Here are some tips on how to correct this issue:

1) Mix the ink well before use, either by using a Jiffy blade attached to a standard hand drill or by mixing the ink by hand using a metal spatula. The mixing will put a shear to the ink, which will in turn “soften” the viscosity and make the ink easier to print. Breaking down a large container of ink into smaller batches for mixing also helps when mixing by hand.

2) Use a curable reducer to lower the viscosity of the ink. Add 1 to 3 percent (by weight) to the ink and mix well. Be careful not to use too much reducer, as it will lower the opacity of the ink. Also be sure to use a low-bleed curable reducer when the ink is a low-bleed ink, otherwise the low-bleed properties of the ink may be compromised.

—Kieth Stevens, International Coatings