1.1 This practice covers the procedure for preparing laboratory prints of paste inks using a printing gage in conjunction with a flat-bed proof press.

1.2 This practice is applicable to the preparation of solid-area prints by direct letterpress or by dry offset on a flat substrate such as paper, paperboard, or metal.

1.3 This practice is applicable primarily to lithographic and letterpress inks that dry by oxidation or penetration. With the addition of appropriate drying or curing equipment, it is also applicable to other paste ink systems such as heat-set or energy-curable.

1.4 The instructions in this practice are intended to minimize the within-print and among-operator variability inherent in hand operations.

1.5 This practice features built-in ink film thickness control. It does not measure the film thickness transferred to the print; however, film thickness equivalence may be evaluated by visual or instrumental comparisons of optical density.

1.6 Values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in Section 7.