Picking occurs when small particles are torn from the surface of the paper or when printing stock rips during printing. This can cause damage to the printing blanket. It becomes necessary to wash more frequently, and print quality is adversely affected. Picking becomes a problem when surfaces are not sufficiently resilient. This indicates that the tractive force of the printing ink is greater than the fiber adhesion in the paper structure or the bonding of the pigment used in the coating. Inadequate gluing or poor anchoring of the coating material on the paper's surface may be the cause. To remedy picking, try the following:
o Employ a "soft" series of inks
o Reduce the ink's tractive force by adding printing oil
o Raise the rasp temperature by adjusting the inking system
o Reduce press speed to lessen the traction on the paper
o Use a quick-release blanket
o Use better-quality paper
Sheetfed Offset Press Operating, 3rd Edition
Lean Printing: Pathway to Success
