Kylmäpainatus

Kylmäpainatus, literally translating to "cold printing" in Finnish, refers to a printing technique where ink is applied to a substrate at ambient temperatures, without the need for significant heat to cure or dry the ink. This is in contrast to methods like heatset printing or UV curing, which rely on heat or ultraviolet light to set the ink.

The primary advantage of kylmäpainatus is its energy efficiency, as it eliminates the substantial energy costs associated with heating and cooling systems often found in traditional printing processes. This also makes it an environmentally friendlier option. Furthermore, it is suitable for printing on heat-sensitive materials that might deform or degrade under high temperatures.

Kylmäpainatus is often associated with offset printing, specifically coldset offset printing, which is commonly used for newspapers and other high-volume publications printed on newsprint or uncoated paper. In this process, the ink, typically oil-based, is absorbed into the paper rather than drying on the surface. Other forms of cold printing might involve different ink formulations, such as water-based or solvent-based inks, which dry through evaporation at room temperature.

While offering benefits in energy and material handling, kylmäpainatus may have limitations in terms of print quality for certain applications, particularly when high gloss or rapid drying is required. The drying speed can be slower compared to heat-cured inks, which can affect production speeds and finishing processes. Despite these considerations, it remains a prevalent and cost-effective method for many printing needs.