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D5010-08 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📖 Overview of ASTM D5010-08
ASTM D5010-08, under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D01.56 on Printing Inks, serves as a comprehensive standard guide for the testing and evaluation of printing inks, printed ink films, and printing substrates. It compiles a master list of applicable ASTM test methods, practices, and specifications, providing a central reference for quality control and materials characterization in the printing industry. The guide includes methods originally developed for paints and coatings but adapted for printing inks, while excluding general raw material tests. For printing ink vehicles and their components, refer to the companion Guide D6687.
🔍 Important Distinction: This standard is a guide for selecting test methods, not a standalone test procedure. Refer to the specific individual ASTM standards listed within for detailed procedural steps. Clear coatings such as overprint varnishes are classed as printing inks for the purpose of this guide (Note 1).
🗂️ Test Categories and Classification
To facilitate easy selection, the standard organizes test methods into three primary groups based on the type of printing process, and three distinct classes based on the test specimen. This matrix structure allows users to quickly locate relevant standards for their specific application. Printing substrates covered by this guide include paper, paperboard, plastic film, glass, and metallic surfaces.
| 🟦 Group | 🎯 Class | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 General | Class A | Tests conducted on bulk inks |
| Class B | Tests conducted on printed ink films | |
| Class C | Tests conducted on substrates | |
| Group 2 Low Viscosity Liquid Inks | Class A | Bulk inks for Flexography and Gravure |
| Class B | Printed films from Flexography / Gravure | |
| Class C | Substrates for Flexography / Gravure | |
| Group 3 High Viscosity Paste Inks | Class A | Bulk inks for Letterpress, Lithography, and Screen |
| Class B | Printed films from Letterpress / Lithography / Screen | |
| Class C | Substrates for Letterpress / Lithography / Screen |
📊 Key Measured Properties
The standard terminology explicitly distinguishes between properties evaluated on the bulk ink composition versus the final printed matter. The discussion in Section 3 defines the critical testing parameters for each state, summarized in the table below.
| 📏 Property Focus | 🧪 Bulk Ink (Class A) | 🖼️ Printed Film (Class B) |
|---|---|---|
| Dispersion | ✅ Primary focus | — |
| Tinting Strength | ✅ Primary focus | — |
| Density | ✅ Primary focus | — |
| Heat & Storage Stability | ✅ Primary focus | — |
| Rheology | ✅ Primary focus | — |
| Printing Properties | ✅ Evaluated | ✅ Evaluated |
| Appearance (e.g., Color, Gloss) | — | ✅ Primary focus |
| Drying / Curing | — | ✅ Primary focus |
| Resistance (e.g., Rub, Solvent) | — | ✅ Primary focus |
💡 Technical Insight: Per Section 3.2.1, the printed ink film is the usual medium for evaluating appearance, drying, and resistance properties. This highlights the critical distinction from direct raw material testing, emphasizing the importance of analyzing the ink in its final applied form, as deposited by a printing press or drawdown technique.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the primary purpose of ASTM D5010?
ASTM D5010 is a standard guide that provides a comprehensive, organized list of test methods, practices, and specifications for the testing and evaluation of printing inks, printed ink films, and the substrates used in their production, facilitating standardization across the industry.
💡 Does this standard cover overprint varnishes and clear coatings?
Yes. The scope explicitly states in Note 1 that clear coatings such as overprint varnishes are classed as printing inks for the purpose of this guide.
⚡ How are the tests in this guide organized?
Tests are organized into a matrix of three Groups and three Classes. Group 1 is General, Group 2 applies to Low Viscosity/Liquid Inks (Flexography, Gravure), and Group 3 applies to High Viscosity/Paste Inks (Letterpress, Lithography, Screen). Classes A, B, and C indicate whether the test is on the Bulk Ink, Printed Ink Film, or Substrate.
📌 What is a “printing substrate” according to this standard?
Section 3.2.2 defines a printing substrate as the material onto which ink is deposited. This includes paper, paperboard, plastic film, glass, and metallic surfaces. The guide specifically restricts substrate standards largely to properties associated with appearance and printability.