The purpose of this test is to remove the potential contamination from the media surface that could affect printability. This helps identify the root cause of the print issue and provides guidance for the next steps.
It applies to solvent, Latex and UV ink system.
- Use IPA (91% isopropyl alcohol or similar) to wipe and clean one side of the roll over an area approximately 24" × 36". (Fig. 1)
- Mark the cleaned section using a marker. (Fig. 2)
- Wind the media back into the printer and reprint the same file that is exhibiting the issue, ensuring the print covers the entire 54" or 60" web width. (Fig. 3)
- If the wiped section shows a noticeable improvement in print quality, this indicates that surface contamination was successfully removed.
- Send photos of the print output—including labels and batch number—to the Arlon Tech Solutions Group / Quality Department for evaluation.
- A trained Arlon representative can further assist in identifying the specific failure mode.