Print Care · 27.08.2026

How to choose a wash for printing press rollers

Effective ink-roller cleaning starts with the ink and the materials in the roller train. One press wash may not suit conventional inks, UV inks and every elastomer.

Cleaning ink rollers in an offset printing press — A roller wash is selected by ink type, elastomer and cleaning method.

Identify the ink

Determine whether the residue is fresh or dried conventional, UV, hybrid ink or coating. Binder chemistry determines the required solvency and contact time.

Check roller compatibility

The wash must suit the rubber compound, plastics, metals and seals and comply with press and roller manufacturer guidance.

Match the cleaning method

Manual and automatic washing need different viscosity, evaporation, flash-point and residue characteristics. Use only approved products in automatic systems.

Evaluate the full cycle

Compare wash time, consumption, repeat rinsing, odour and time to production—not only price per litre.

Standardise the procedure

Document dose, contact time, sequence and cleanliness criteria. Never mix products and follow the current SDS and equipment instructions.