Investigation of Viscosity and Optical Density Characteristics in Sustainable Palm Oil-Based Offset Printing Ink

This study investigates the rheological and optical properties of sustainable palm oil-based offset printing inks, comparing four formulations with varying pigment concentrations (Palm Ink-15, Palm Ink-16, Palm Ink-17, and Palm Ink-18) against a conventional ink sample. Through rheology testing, we analyzed viscosity, yield value, and shortness to understand ink flow characteristics. Optical density measurements and colorimetric assessments in CIE L*a*b* coordinates were conducted to evaluate ink performance across different film thicknesses. The results indicate that palm-based inks exhibit a superior balance between viscosity and yield value, allowing for effective ink transfer and enhanced color saturation. Palm Ink-17, in particular, demonstrated the most rapid color intensity buildup with increased thickness, making it optimal for applications requiring rich, saturated blue tones. These findings suggest that palm oil-based inks are not only environmentally friendly but also exhibit performance characteristics suitable for high-quality offset printing applications.