2025-10-27 – Weekly Printing News : Tech challenges in cold-room printing

Last week in the forum, members engaged in discussions around the technical challenges and industry trends shaping the printing world. A recurring theme was the integration of new technology in traditional printing contexts, such as the use of handheld spectrometers for quality control. There was also considerable interest in career-related topics, particularly around the role of sustainable packaging and the skills hiring managers are seeking today. Conversations ranged from practical troubleshooting in cold-room applications to broader industry shifts like 3D printing roles.


This Week’s Hot Topics

  • Cold-room application causing edge lift
    This thread dives into the technical difficulties faced when applying prints in cold environments, a topic relevant for those dealing with environmental constraints.
    Read more here

  • Handheld spectro for spot checks
    A discussion about using portable spectrometers for on-the-spot color accuracy checks, highlighting how technology is enhancing print quality.
    Read more here

  • Do hiring managers want OEE numbers
    Explore whether operational efficiency metrics are becoming a standard expectation for job seekers in the printing industry.
    Read more here

  • Sustainable packaging roles — what’s real right now
    An insightful look at the current demand for roles focused on sustainable packaging, reflecting broader environmental concerns in the industry.
    Read more here

  • 2025-10-24 – Weekly Printing Jobs: Explore 3D Printing roles
    A rundown of current job openings in the burgeoning field of 3D printing, showcasing new career paths within the industry.
    Read more here

  • Where to get W+D cutoff training
    For those looking to upskill, this thread covers where to find training for W+D cutoff machines, a valuable resource for career development.
    Read more here

  • FAQ/Guidelines
    A helpful resource for navigating the forum and ensuring a smooth user experience.
    Read more here

  • Admin Guide: Getting Started
    Essential reading for new admins managing forum interactions and content.
    Read more here

  • New to the Printing Industry? Ask Us Anything!
    An open invitation for newcomers to get their questions answered by seasoned professionals.
    Read more here

  • What Was Your First Job in Printing?
    A nostalgic thread where members share their first roles, offering insights into diverse career paths in printing.
    Read more here


Looking forward to another week of engaging and informative discussions. Stay connected and keep sharing your experiences.

Seeing the same thing in an 8°C pressroom: our ‘handheld spectrometers’ drift until they warm up — dE 2–3 off on first pulls. Quick fix that worked: keep the device and a reference strip in a small insulated lunch bag with a hand warmer, calibrate, then let sheets sit 2–3 minutes before reading; otherwise you chase ghosts. If you can’t do that, at least swap to a corded contact probe with a rubber skirt to cut condensation.

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In our 6°C ink room, the trick was to move the “handheld spectrometers” in a sealed zip bag so the optics don’t fog when you cross the warm/cold boundary — give it about 10 minutes, then calibrate on the tile. It won’t fix thermal drift, but it cuts first-pull color swings; if you’re rushing, toss a small desiccant pouch in the bag.

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Quick example: in a 7°C plate room, our color meter threw dE 2–3 until we kept it and the white tile in an insulated lunch bag with a desiccant and a tiny hand warmer, then left it powered on 5–7 minutes before zeroing — preheating the oven. Small caveat: cold sags battery voltage, so we use a warm spare or USB power; if it still “drift until they warm up,” check the device’s stated temp range.

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