Electrostatics
Electrostatics causes problems when processing paper, films and packaging and always occurs when poorly conductive materials become charged due to rapid friction or sudden separation.
Benefits
Precise humidity control ensures consistently high print quality: electrostatic charges, dimensional changes and waste are minimised. Standardised process water and energy-efficient evaporative cooling reduce costs and increase productivity.
Reduce electrostatic
Additional air humidification reduces electrostatic charges on printing materials and machinery.
Prevent dimensional changes
Controlled humidity protects the dimensional stability of paper and cardboard.
Standardised print quality
Optimal humidity and standardised process water guarantee consistent quality without waste.
Printing facilities humidity control
Air humidification ensures print quality and efficiency
In the printing industry, constant humidity is a decisive factor for quality, efficiency and process reliability. Hygroscopic materials such as paper and cardboard are sensitive to climatic fluctuations. A relative humidity of 45-50% prevents dimensional changes such as warping and edge curling, which lead to registration errors, ghosting and creasing. In sheetfed offset printing in particular, stable flatness is essential for trouble-free sheet travel and precise printing results. In addition, controlled humidity reduces electrostatic charges that lead to double feeds, material jams, machine stops and unclean print images – especially in digital printing. Working conditions also improve: more dust binding and less strain on the mucous membranes. The right humidity increases productivity, reduces waste and ensures consistent quality.
Efficient cooling for the printing industry
In the printing industry, considerable heat loads are generated by waste heat from printing machines and finishing equipment. Compounded by high machine density, the room temperature can rise well above 26°C. This not only affects print quality, but also the concentration and health of employees. Adiabatic evaporative cooling offers an energy-efficient solution: The evaporation of water extracts heat from the air, which can lower the room temperature by up to 5°C – with minimal energy consumption. At the same time, the air humidity is increased, which reduces electrostatic charges, stabilises paper feed and improves print quality. The technology is particularly suitable for large or high printing halls and production rooms and can also supplement or replace existing air conditioning systems.
Double benefit: Standardised process water
In the printing industry, water quality is a critical factor for stable printing processes. Using air humidification with integrated water treatment provides a valuable additional benefit: the treated water can also be used as standardised process water for dampening solution production. The removal of hardness-forming substances such as calcium and magnesium as well as corrosive salts prevents the formation of deposits on ink rollers. A stable pH value between 4.8 and 5.5 ensures consistent printing conditions and prevents toning, emulsification and blank running. Standardised process water reduces operating costs and minimises cleaning effort. At the same time, machine service life is increased and print quality is ensured. Particularly efficient: water treatment is carried out centrally and hygienically – a real added value for printing companies.
Low humidity
Dry air below 40% relative humidity can lead to static charges due to friction. The material is no longer fed through the printing machine without deviations.
Optimal humidity
At 45–55% relative humidity, static charges can be easily dissipated due to increased conductivity. The material is fed through the printing machine without any problems.
Use cases
Prevent evaporative losses
Organic materials have an internal moisture content and will lose moisture to the atmosphere when exposed to air with a low humidity. Humidifiers are used to create an environment with perfect balance between the material’s internal moisture content and the air’s relative humidity.
Anti-Static and ESD Prevention
Low humidity increases static build-up because dry air is an insulator, making electrostatic discharge (ESD) more likely. Maintaining 40–60% relative humidity helps dissipate charges and significantly reduces ESD risk.
Discover Condair in action
Harrier Group, UK
Harrier Group, a leading UK digital printing firm, has invested in four Condair RS restive steam humidifiers to maintain the perfect production environment in its newly-designed, high-tech print room.
John Watson, Scotland
When John Watson & Co, the oldest printing company in Scotland, was seeking to enhance its process control by improving the humidity of its print room, it contacted Condair, who installed the JetSpray air and water atomising humidifier, developed especially for the printing industry.
Polestar Group
A Condair ML Solo high pressure humidification system has been installed in the litho platemaking area at Polestar print company's award-winning plant in Sheffield. Designed to suppress and disperse electrostatic charges when protective film is removed from the plates, Condair's low-energy humidifier maintains a relative humidity of 45%.
Collotype Labels UK
The JetSpray humidifier from Condair is keeping the atmosphere at a perfect 50%RH around the printing presses of specialist label printer, Collotype Labels UK (formerly John Watson Co).
Gilmour and Dean
Eurostampa is a premier supplier of quality added value labels to the spirits bottling industry with annual sales approaching one billion labels for customers' products distributed and consumed worldwide. An ML high pressure humidification system is helping to maintain the perfect air condition for quality printing at this leading printer in Glasgow, Scotland.
Fujifilm Imaging and Innovation Centre
A Condair JetSpray humidification system is maintaining an ideal 40-60%RH (relative humidity) in the Fujifilm Imaging and Innovation Centre in Bradford to provide the optimum atmospheric conditions for their paper storage and printing areas.
Hobbs The Printers Ltd
Hobbs The Printers is a world leader in book printing, specialising in the production of journals, magazines, newsletters, brochures and loose-leaf publications. Founded in 1884 by William Hobbs, the company now employs 175 people and offers a comprehensive range of printing, finishing and fulfillment services.ML Princess high pressure humidifiers from Condair are helping to maintain an ideal air humidity for optimum print productivity.
MacroArt - Branding & Signage
Set in Cambridgeshire, MacroArt's 44,000 sq ft production hub operates 24/7 and produces an enormous range of branding and signage solutions from creation to finishing. An extensive plant list features leading printing technology to make sure the company stays at the forefront of the latest techniques. MacroArt relies on the Condair ML high pressure humidification system to maintain the ideal production humidity year round in its dye sublimation department.
Mondi Group, Sonneberg (Germany)
The Mondi Group is a manufacturer of paper-based packaging made of corrugated and solid board. More than 3,000 employees in 15 plants at a total of 13 European locations produce individual packaging solutions in all required sizes and finished in a wide variety of ways.
Fogra Forschungsinstitut für Medientechnologien e.V., Aschheim (Germany)
"Fogra “ researches, tests, certifies": Under this motto, the Research Institute for Media Technologies develops application-oriented solutions for quality assurance in the printing industry. "We are the TÃœV of the printing industry worldwide and provide answers to the question of how print results can look consistent for different machines, materials and processes," says Managing Director and Institute Director Dr. Eduard Neufeld, summarizing Fogra's tasks.
Wilke GmbH, Hamm (Germany)
Gebrüder Wilke GmbH has been a "passionate printer" for over 133 years. Founded in 1881 as a book printing company in Hamm, the traditional company set up a new location there in 2009.
S+P Samson GmbH, Kissing (Germany)
With optimal humidity in both production and administration, S+P Samson has not only improved process reliability, but also increased satisfaction with the indoor climate. For both applications, direct room air humidification could be retrofitted into the existing building.
Quotes from our customers
We already knew Condair, as we have a couple of their units in other print rooms. The quality of their equipment is right up there. Paper is susceptible to changes in environmental conditions so humidity is really important. Their service is second to none as well. We work to tough deadlines and one of the key things for us is that Condair could supply the equipment quickly within the required timescale.
Having a local service engineer on call to maintain them in tip-top condition is important for us too.
Having a local service engineer on call to maintain them in tip-top condition is important for us too.
"There are now optimal values for different zones and presses. We have also been able to reduce the energy consumption for humidification by over 95%."
"More output and high quality with decreasing energy consumption are our goal."
"We no longer have any problems with the quality and speed that are so important to us, which is also reflected in a 98.3% adherence to deadlines."
"In-room humidification and process water from Condair guarantee us additional process reliability and quality assurance."
"My choice would again fall on this high-pressure technology and the associated service concept from Condair System, because the system fits perfectly with our green orientation."
"The in-room humidification system ensures homogeneous humidification and reliable compliance with the required standard climate in all rooms thanks to the individual units."
"We like to work with the best. The value proposition of the Draabe brand has never disappointed us, so we have been successfully managing this partnership for almost three decades."
"Humidity is very important for us to ensure standardized conditions throughout the production process."
"Our DRAABE air humidification system reliably creates the prerequisites for maximum performance of man and machine."
"With the optimal humidity, we have laid the foundation for further growth in two ways: Less electrostatic charge with greater process reliability in production and better health protection with higher employee satisfaction in administration."
"We don't have to worry about anything. For the DRAABE system, we receive good service, fast processing and you always get direct feedback. The system does what it is supposed to: it runs. And we can concentrate on our core business."
"This service gives us the certainty that everything always works safely and hygienically. We sometimes forget that we have air humidification at all, because everything just runs smoothly."
"In offset printing, too, there were always problems with air that was too dry. In addition, we learned during our research that higher dust binding and more health protection can be achieved with optimal air fencing."
"Thanks to air humidification, we no longer have problems with electrostatics, which in the past often led to production interruptions."
"Our experience shows that we can produce faster and with less waste due to the optimal humidity. This reduces costs and makes our processes more efficient."
Frequently asked questions
Why is humidity control crucial for printing quality and efficiency?
How does evaporative cooling improve printing hall conditions?
What are the benefits of standardised process water in printing processes?
How does humidity control enhance digital printing results?
Can humidification and water treatment reduce printing operating costs?
Get free expert advice
If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.
Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.
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