Strycktrykk

Strycktrykk is a term used in the printing industry to describe the pressure applied by a printing press during the transfer of ink from the printing form to the substrate. The term is used across several printing disciplines, and though its exact meaning varies, it generally denotes the contact force in the impression zone that governs ink transfer and image quality.

In offset lithography, strycktrykk characterizes the nip between plate and blanket and between blanket and paper. In letterpress, it refers to the pressure exerted by the type or plate against the paper. In screen printing, it can describe the force of the squeegee pushing ink through the screen. Across these methods, strycktrykk is a key parameter for achieving consistent coverage, sharp edges, and controlled dot formation.

Control is achieved by adjusting press settings such as cylinder gaps, roller pressures, blanket tension, and squeegee speed or angle. Modern presses may use sensors and automated control to maintain target pressure, compensating for substrate variability and ink viscosity. The optimal strycktrykk depends on substrate thickness, ink attributes, and drying/curing requirements.

Excessive pressure can cause image bleed, fiber crushing, or substrate deformation, while insufficient pressure yields faint prints or incomplete ink transfer. Proper calibration and routine impression tests help ensure repeatable quality across runs.

See also: offset printing, letterpress, screen printing, flexography.