Fanout

Fanout refers to the undesirable spreading or shifting of ink or moisture across the surface of paper, typically causing misregistration or image distortion. It occurs when the paper absorbs moisture unevenly, leading to expansion and contraction, which affects the alignment of printing elements.

Synonym

Ink Spread

Examples

1. Offset Printing: Fanout can occur in offset printing when the paper absorbs moisture from the ink, causing it to expand unevenly and resulting in misregistration between colors.
2. Digital Printing: In digital printing, fanout may occur due to variations in paper moisture content or inadequate drying time, leading to image distortion or blurring.
3. Screen Printing: Fanout can affect the quality of screen printing by causing ink to spread unevenly, resulting in loss of detail or definition in the printed image.

Recommendations

1. Paper Selection: Choose paper with consistent moisture content and dimensional stability to minimize the risk of fanout during printing.
2. Ink Control: Optimize ink viscosity and drying time to prevent excessive ink absorption and minimize the likelihood of fanout.
3. Environmental Conditions: Maintain optimal humidity and temperature levels in the printing environment to minimize variations in paper moisture content and reduce the risk of fanout.
4. Press Calibration: Regularly calibrate printing presses to ensure precise registration and minimize the effects of fanout on print quality.
5. Quality Control: Implement quality control measures to detect and address fanout issues early in the printing process, minimizing waste and ensuring consistent print quality.