What are the main categories of pressroom chemicals?

Essential categories include Fountain Solutions (for ink-water balance), Alcohol Substitutes (modern replacements for IPA), Press Cleaning Chemistry (blanket washes, roller cleaners, deglazers), Plate Care Products (cleaners, conditioners, gums), and Specialty Chemicals (anti-foam, ink repellents, desensitizers).

Why is fountain solution pH important?

Maintaining the correct pH (typically 4.8-5.5) is critical for keeping the non-image areas of the plate water-receptive (hydrophilic) and preventing ink from adhering there. Incorrect pH can cause scumming, toning, or plate blinding.

What are the advantages of using alcohol substitutes?

Alcohol substitutes eliminate the fire hazards, health risks (VOCs), and environmental concerns associated with Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) while providing excellent wetting and ink-water balance, often with lower consumption.

How does water quality affect pressroom chemicals?

Hard water (high mineral content) can cause calcium buildup and roller glazing, while very soft water can lead to excessive foaming. Water pH and contaminants also impact fountain solution stability and performance. Water treatment like reverse osmosis is often recommended.

What causes roller glazing and how can I prevent it?

Glazing is a buildup of dried ink, paper coating, and fountain solution residues on rollers, creating a hard, unreceptive surface. Prevent it with regular, thorough cleaning using appropriate roller washes, periodic use of deglazers, and maintaining proper ink-water balance.

Offset Pressroom Chemicals & Washes | Star Graphic Supplies

Pressroom Chemicals

Pressroom Chemicals for Offset Printing

Pressroom chemicals are the lifeblood of any offset printing operation, playing a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance between ink and water that makes lithographic printing possible. These specialized chemical formulations are engineered to optimize every aspect of the printing process, from the initial dampening of the plate to the final cleaning of press components at the end of a run.

Looking for Specialty Pressroom Sprays, Plate Gums, or Disposal Units?

To help you quickly locate all chemical-related maintenance products across our catalog, explore these specialized product lines:

Pressroom Aerosols & Sprays → Plate Preservers & Storage Gums → Chemgon Waste Encapsulation →

Need More Information? For detailed technical information about pressroom chemistry, consult the manufacturer documentation included with each product. Product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide important usage, safety, and storage information.

Varn Absolute 6300 (5 Gal)

Varn

MSRP:

$154.00

Was:

Varn® Absolute 6300 (5 Gal and 4Gal/Case) An Alcohol Substitute for the Sheetfed Market Varn® Absolute 6300 is effective in eliminating alcohol use on sheetfed press equipment with continuous...

Absolute 6300

SKU:

Absolute 6300

Availability:

In Stock

Weight:

45 LBS

Product Sizes:

4 gal/case - 5 gal pail

Manufacturer Product Codes:

KT25-004U-01BT | KT25-004U-01HA

Printing Process:

Offset Printing

MSRP:

$154.00

Was:
Varn Apollo 945AS (5 Gal)

Varn

MSRP:

$184.00

Was:

Varn® Apollo 945AS (5 gallon) - HEATSET Silicone Web Conditioner with Anti-Static Properties for Post-Oven Web Moistening Systems, Including Goss Ecocool Dryer. Varn® Apollo 945AS silicone web...

Weight:

38 LBS

MSRP:

$184.00

Was:
Varn Apollo 901 (5 Gal)

Varn

MSRP:

$174.00

Was:

Varn® Apollo 901 (5 gallon) Web Conditioner Designed for Retail Stocks at High Speeds - Heatset Varn® Apollo 901 is designed with built-in antistatic properties and improved marking protection for...

Weight:

38 LBS

MSRP:

$174.00

Was:
Varn Supreme CERT 550 (5 Gal)

Varn

MSRP:

$139.00

Was:

Varn® Supreme CERT 550 (5 gallon) High-Performance, One-Step, Low-Dose Products With Corrosion Inhibitors Fountain Solution for Baked or Unbaked Plates - Mild Acid The Varn® Supreme 550 fountain...

Weight:

38 LBS

MSRP:

$139.00

Was:
Varn Supreme CA 550 (5 Gal)

Varn

MSRP:

$134.00

Was:

Varn® Supreme CA 550 (5 gallon and 4 gal/case) High-Performance, One-Step, Low-Dose Products With Corrosion Inhibitors Fountain Solution for Baked or Unbaked Plates - Mild Acid The Varn® Supreme...

Weight:

38 LBS

MSRP:

$134.00

Was:
Varn Supreme CA LED #7862 Fountain Solution (5 Gal)

Varn

MSRP:

$124.00

Was:

Varn Supreme CA LED #7862 Fountain Solution - 5 Gal One-step fountain solution designed for use with low energy curable inks and conventional sheetfed inks. Varn® Supreme CA LED 7862 is designed...

Weight:

42 LBS

MSRP:

$124.00

Was:
Burnishine Plate Sav-Ur Cleaner and Conditioner (1 Gal)

Burnishine Products

MSRP:

$86.00

Was:

P1

SKU:

P1

Weight:

7 LBS

MSRP:

$86.00

Was:
Varn Calcium Eliminator (12 qt/Case)

Varn

MSRP:

$208.00

Was:

Varn Calcium Eliminator - 12 qt case Varn® Specialty Chemical: Cleaner & Rejuvenator - Outperforms Traditional Metering Roller Cleaners Varn Calcium Eliminator Removes Calcium Build-up From Rollers...

Weight:

28 LBS

MSRP:

$208.00

Was:
Siebert PLT-SR-5 Plate Cleaner / Scratch Remover

Siebert

Siebert PLT-SR-5 Plate Cleaner / Scratch Remover 1 Case (4 Qt) PLT-SR-5 is an acid-based scratch remover and short-term plate preserver designed to remove ink, paper, and calcium salt deposits...

PLT-SR-5

SKU:

PLT-SR-5

Weight:

11 LBS

Spot Pricing is in effect:

Email us for current price and availability
Siebert RB-S8020WM Roller and Blanket Wash

Siebert

Siebert RB-S8020WM Roller and Blanket Wash - 5 Gal RB-S8020WM Roller and Blanket Wash is a medium drying general-purpose press wash that is mild enough to be used on rollers as an everyday wash yet...

RB-S8020WM

SKU:

RB-S8020WM

Weight:

42 LBS
Siebert BL-142-65M Press Wash

Siebert

Siebert BL-142-65M Press Wash - 5 Gal SIEBERT BL-142-65M is a high flashpoint, reduced V.O.C. press wash suitable as a manual blanket wash or on automatic blanket washers on a lithographic printing...

BL-142-65M

SKU:

BL-142-65M

Weight:

42 LBS

Spot Pricing is in effect:

Email us for current price and availability
Siebert BL-142-30M Press Wash

Siebert

Siebert BL-142-30M Press Wash - 5 Gal SIEBERT BL-142-30M is a high flashpoint, low V.O.C. press wash suitable as a manual blanket wash or on automatic blanket washers on a lithographic printing...

BL-142-30M

SKU:

BL-142-30M

Weight:

42 LBS

Spot Pricing is in effect:

Email us for current price and availability
Siebert BL-7M Press Wash

Siebert

MSRP:

$128.00

Was:

Siebert BL-7M Press Wash - 5 Gal SIEBERT BL-7M is a biodegradable, non-flammable, ultra-low V.O.C. wash for automatic brush-style blanket washers on a lithographic printing press. SIEBERT BL-7M...

BL-7M

SKU:

BL-7M

Weight:

42 LBS

Spot Pricing is in effect:

Email us for current price and availability

MSRP:

$128.00

Was:
Applied Chemistries Power House Roller Deglazer / Cleaner

Applied Chemistries

MSRP:

$139.00

Was:

Applied Chemistries Power House Roller Deglazer / Cleaner (6 Qt/Case) Our Power House Roller Deglazer/Cleaner is an all purpose roller deglazer/cleaner. It is a true multi-purpose cleaner, which...

PHRDG

SKU:

PHRDG

Weight:

12 LBS

MSRP:

$139.00

Was:
Applied Chemistries Power House Chrome Roller Cleaner / Desensitizer

Applied Chemistries

MSRP:

$164.00

Was:

Applied Chemistries Power House Chrome Roller Cleaner / Desensitizer (6 Qt/Case) Power House Chrome Roller Cleaner/Desensitizer is applied directly to the metering rollers and all chrome cylinders...

PHRCD

SKU:

PHRCD

Weight:

12 LBS

MSRP:

$164.00

Was:
Siebert EXPEL 2.0 Calcium Eliminator Rinse

Siebert

EXPEL 2.0 Calcium Eliminator Rinse - 5 Gal Pail EXPEL 2.0 is a breakthrough in press washing technology. Designed to eliminate calcium buildup on ink and water rollers, blankets, and back cylinders...

EXPEL 2.0

SKU:

EXPEL 2.0

Weight:

42 LBS

Spot Pricing is in effect:

Email us for current price and availability

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