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Comprehensive Analysis of Common Winter Paper Issues: Causes and Solutions

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Comprehensive Analysis of Common Winter Paper Issues: Causes and Solutions

2025-01-08

Winter creates significant challenges in the paper production, printing, storage, and usage processes due to lower temperatures and humidity. These environmental conditions often lead to issues such as paper deformation, cracking, static electricity, delayed adhesive drying, and ink-related defects. Below, I will provide a detailed analysis of these common problems, their root causes, and tailored solutions.

I. Common Winter Paper Issues

Common Winter Paper Issues_Sheet1(1).jpg

II. Causes of Winter Paper Issues

1. Dryness-Related Issues

Dry air, caused by low humidity during winter, reduces the moisture content of paper, resulting in:

  • Paper warping & deformation & tight edges

--- Cause reason: Paper loss of water is not uniform, fiber deformation is not consistent;

 

  • Slitting burst edges, burst ink & burst, cracked or explosive edges

--- Cause reason: Paper loss of moisture, flexibility & resistance to folding and bursting performance deterioration.

 Paper distortion.png

 2. Cold-Related Issues

Low temperatures impact the mechanical and chemical properties of paper, adhesives, and inks, causing:

  • Printing blistering(bubbles):

--- Cause reason: ink mobility deterioration, viscosity;

 

  • Uneven printing:

--- Cause reason: ink & paper & blanket surface energy and performance changes

 

  • Glue slow drying & false sticking & degumming:

--- Cause reason: low temperature glue activity and drying performance is reduced.

 

III. Solutions to Winter Paper Issues

1. Systematic Solutions

These solutions involve a holistic approach to minimize issues across all stages of production:

  • Stable Temperature and Humidity:
    • Maintain constant temperature and humidity in storage areas, production facilities, and transportation.
    • Aim for 45%-55% relative humidity and temperatures of 20-25°C to prevent paper deformation and moisture loss.

--Under these conditions, the paper has better printability, better flatness and resistance to bursting.

2. Pre-Processing Solutions

These solutions focus on preparing materials to adapt to winter conditions:

  • Paper Moisturizing:
    • Pipeline & mobile humidifiers for specific processes, ultrasonic humidifiers for direct humidification of paper, building humidified rooms
    • Wrap paper rolls with plastic film to prevent direct exposure to dry air.
  • Pre-Heating:
    • Preheat paper, ink, and adhesives 24 hours before use. Use heated storage or baking equipment to bring materials to optimal temperatures.
  • Environmental Adjustments:
    • Use air conditioning or heating equipment to maintain ideal working conditions.

3. Emergency Response Solutions

These quick fixes address problems that arise unexpectedly during production:

  • Slitting burst edge:
    • adjust the left and right level of the walking roller and the countercurve roller, use the countercurve stick with a diameter of 3CM (should not be too small), and appropriately reduce the countercurve tension.
  • Static electricity large & folding explosion:
    • humidified room back to humidity
  • Ink burst & Paper burst:
    • humidified room back to humidity, increase the width of the indentation.
  • Edge burst & warping:
    • humidified room back to wet, extend the time to beat water, towel covered humidification, film surface corona, the use of plasma processors to increase the adhesive fastness to improve warping
  • Printing blistering:
    • Reduce the viscosity of the ink (plus de-sticky agent 5% or less, blister card is not recommended to add), reduce the printing speed to 8000 sheets / hour or so, the color of the ink volume to the back of the color group (to reduce the number of times that the paper and rubber blanket ink pull)
  • Uneven printing:
    • reduce the printing speed, reduce the amount of water (blue group of flowers, blue before the color group need to reduce the amount of water, winter moisture evaporation less, the paper can not be absorbed in a timely manner will appear flowers), appropriate adjustment of the viscosity of the ink, increase the printing pressure of 3 silk.
  • Ink sticky dirty:
    • increase the spray powder particle size and the amount of spray powder, reduce the printing speed appropriately.

IV. Best Practices for Storage and Usage

1. Paper Storage:

  • Store paper in controlled environments with constant temperature and humidity.
  • Allow paper to acclimatize for at least 24 hours in the printing area before use to minimize sudden moisture loss.

2. Transport Precautions:

  • Use insulated vehicles to transport paper, ensuring that temperature and humidity are stable.

3. User Handling:

  • Avoid exposing paper to direct heat sources or dry air during use.
  • Periodically check paper for brittleness or curling and re-humidify if necessary.

Conclusion

Winter paper issues stem primarily from dry and cold conditions, which affect the moisture content, flexibility, and surface energy of paper and related materials. By implementing systematic, preemptive, and emergency measures, businesses can minimize disruptions and maintain product quality during the winter months.

Proactive management of temperature, humidity, and process parameters is essential for ensuring smooth operations and reducing waste in winter paper production and usage.