DAMPENING SYSTEMS -- Striking a Balance

The process is started by holding fountain solution in the nip reservoir between the form roller and metering roller. The form roller then rolls across the plate with the non-image area of the plate taking fountain solution (water) and the image area splitting a layer of ink with the form roller, since it is both water and ink receptive. Ink and fountain solution are milled under pressure at the roller nip. The dampening systems are said to "rebalance" themselves, since surplus fountain solution is returned to the nip reservoir with each revolution of the plate cylinder.