PLATE GUMMING

Gum Arabic

A gummy, water-soluble substance exuded by several species of tree of the genus Acacia (in

particular A. senegal) used in the manufacture of many different products, from inks to candy,
from ceramics to pharmaceuticals. In ink manufacture, it is used as a vehicle in certain types of
printing inks (see Water-Soluble Gum Vehicle). Gum arabic is also called gum acacia.

Desensitizing

Lithographic printers employ it to keep the non-image areas of the plate receptive to water. This
treatment also helps to stop oxidation of aluminium printing plates in the interval between
processing of the plate and its use on a printing press.

Aluminium is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a
density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately one third that of steel. It has a
great affinity towards oxygen, and forms a protective layer of oxide on the surface when exposed
to air.

Gum arabic is also applied to the surface of offset printing plates to prevent ink accumulation in
non-printing areas. Gum arabic is also a component of offset press fountain solutions, used
to desensitize the non-image areas of the plate and enable them to retain their ink-repellency.
(See Fountain Solution.)

In offset lithography, an alternate term for plate desensitization, performed by applying a solution

of gum arabic or a synthetic material like dextrin to the plate surface.

Gumming an uninked lithographic plate with gum arabic may blind the image, that is, render it
non-ink receptive. Litho plate processors that apply a thin layer of gum to a new plate in the final
stage of processing will typically use a dextrin based gum solution.

The chemical treatment of a lithographic plate to impart to non-image areas water-receptivity and
ink-repellency, commonly achieved utilizing a solution of gum arabic or other gum compound. It is
the offset press fountain solution that keeps the plate properly desensitized over the course of a
print run by continually replenishing the layer of gum adhered to the aluminium non-image area of
the plate. The gum's function is to attract water to the non-image.

GLOSSARY

Exuded oozed, secreted

Genus species, group, class

Vehicle medium, agent

Desensitize pacify, deaden

Repellency deter, fend off

Generic broad, general

Dextrin Dextrin is a generic term applied to a variety of products obtained by heating

a starch in the presence of small amounts of moisture and an
acid. Dextrins can be made from any starch and are generally classified as
white dextrins, yellow (or canary) dextrins, and British gums. Each is more
water-soluble and produces less viscous solutions or dispersions than its
parent starch. Most dextrins are used as adhesives for paper products. Few
other common uses of these dextrins are binders in foundries, in textile
printing, and in paper industries (Fleche, 1985).