Drukfase

Drukfase is a Dutch term that refers to the printing phase in which ink is transferred from a printing plate or plate former to a substrate such as paper, cardboard, or other materials. It is the stage in the printing process where the mechanical or mechanical‑chemical action of the press actually makes contact between the inked surface and the substrate, thereby fixing the image.

During the drukfase the press’s platens, rollers, or cylinders apply controlled pressure. This pressure must be precisely regulated to ensure adequate ink transfer while avoiding excess ink that can cause smearing or feathering. In offset lithography, for example, the inked plate first contacts a rubber blanket; the blanket then presses against the paper, creating a microscopic adhesive action that only holds ink where the image atoms. In gravure or flexography, the impression is made directly through micro‑cell or flexible plates against the substrate.

The drukfase is subdivided into several operations: registration, where the plate aligns with the substrate; ink distribution, where the ink film is spread evenly across the plate; and the actual impression, where pressure forces the ink into the fibers or surface of the substrate. The quality of the drukfase directly influences colour fidelity, sharpness, and consistency of the final print.

Because the drukfase is where concepts of pressure, adhesion, and material science intersect, printers and engineers continually research optimal pressure settings, roller materials, and ink viscosities. Advances in press technology, such as automated pressure feedback systems, have improved reproducibility and reduced waste, making drukfase a critical focus in contemporary print manufacturing.