Why do I wipe Arabic gum on the printing layout

Why use Arabic gum solution on printing plates? In ancient printing techniques, people often applied a substance called “arabic gum” to paper or layout. This approach may seem mysterious, but it actually contains rich scientific principles and historical background. This article will delve into the role of Arabic gum in printing and how it can improve the quality and durability of the layout. Firstly, we need to understand what Arabic gum is. Arabic gum is a natural polysaccharide gum mainly produced in the genus Acacia in Africa. Its appearance is a milky white to light yellow powdery solid, with viscosity and good water solubility. Arabic gum is widely used in industries such as food, medicine, and cosmetics due to its unique properties. So, how was Arabic gum introduced into the printing industry? This can be traced back to the era of manual copying of books in ancient times. In order to protect precious parchment or papyrus from the effects of insects and moisture, people first treat the material with Arabic gum before writing to increase its waterproofing and corrosion resistance. With the development of movable type printing, this tradition has also been continued and become a part of modern printing technology. During the printing process, Arabic gum is usually used to enhance the smoothness and ink absorption of the paper. Arabic gum can fill small pores on the surface of the paper, making it smoother. This effect helps to evenly distribute the ink on the paper, thereby improving the clarity of text and images. As a moisture-proof agent: Due to its high water absorption capacity, Arabic gum can prevent paper from expanding or deforming in damp environments, ensuring that printed materials remain stable for a long time. Improving color saturation: By using arabic gum, ink can better adhere to paper, reducing the occurrence of smudging and making colors more vibrant and full. Extended shelf life: The pages and prints treated with Arabic gum can resist fading or damage caused by light, heat and other environmental factors due to their better waterproof and anti-aging properties, thus significantly extending their shelf life. Simplify the binding process in the later stage: When binding books, papers that use Arabic gum are more likely to stick together and are less prone to wrinkles or peeling. Although times have changed, the application of Arabic gum in the printing industry is still indispensable. Whether it is for high-quality artistic works or mass-produced commercial publications, using Arabic gum to optimize the layout effect is an important technical means. In the future, with the advancement of technology and continuous innovation in traditional processes, we believe that Arabic gum will continue to play its unique role and bring more possibilities to the printing industry.