ISO 2838-1974 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 2838:1974 — Prints and printing inks — Assessment of resistance to alkalis. This International Standard (first edition, 1974) defines a laboratory test method for evaluating the resistance of prints and printing inks when exposed to alkaline solutions, providing a repeatable procedure to judge visual change, discoloration or degradation of printed matter caused by alkali contact.

Abstract

ISO 2838:1974 specifies a simple, standardized assessment to determine how printed samples and printing inks withstand exposure to alkaline agents. The method is intended to allow manufacturers, printers and testing laboratories to compare resistance across inks, substrates and processes and to support quality control and specification activities. The standard was withdrawn and its subject matter consolidated into later editions of ISO 2836.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn.
• Publication date: 1974-08 (first edition).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 87.080 (Inks. Printing inks).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1974).
• Number of pages: 2.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details (status, date, ICS and edition) are recorded in the ISO catalogue entry for ISO 2838:1974.

Scope

ISO 2838:1974 applies to laboratory assessment of the effect of alkaline solutions on prints and printing inks. The procedure gives a reproducible way to expose printed test specimens to specified alkaline conditions and to assess changes (such as loss of colour, bleeding, tack, or substrate attack) by visual comparison and simple assessment criteria. The original standard covered alkali-specific resistance only; later consolidated standards (ISO 2836 series and subsequent revisions) expanded the scope to include resistance to a wider range of agents (water, soaps, detergents, oils, fats, solvents, etc.).

Key topics and requirements

• Defined test specimen preparation and conditioning requirements for printed samples.
• Controlled exposure of specimens to alkaline solutions under specified concentration and contact conditions.
• Post-exposure assessment criteria (visual inspection, degree of change, rating scales or pass/fail guidance).
• Requirements for repeatability and reporting of test conditions and results to enable comparison between laboratories and suppliers.
• Limitations and applicability notes (intended for assessing surface-printed materials and inks, not food-contact safety aspects).

Typical use and users

Typical users include ink and pigment manufacturers, print buyers, commercial printers, quality and R&D laboratories, and standards or specification writers who need a harmonized method to assess alkali resistance of printed products. The test is useful for routine quality control, product development (formulation comparison) and verifying conformity to customer requirements for alkali resistance.

Related standards

ISO 2838:1974 has been withdrawn and its subject matter incorporated into the ISO 2836 series (Graphic technology — Prints and printing inks — Assessment of resistance to various agents). The ISO 2836 family was revised multiple times (1999, 2004, and 2021 editions), each consolidating and expanding resistance-assessment methods for soaps, detergents, oils, alkalis and other agents. Other closely related graphic-technology standards (e.g., on laboratory print preparation and inks testing) are maintained by ISO/TC 130.

Keywords

prints; printing inks; alkali resistance; test method; durability; graphic technology; ISO 2838; resistance assessment; ink testing; quality control.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 2838:1974 is an ISO test method titled "Prints and printing inks — Assessment of resistance to alkalis" (first edition, August 1974). It provides a standardized laboratory procedure to assess how prints and inks respond to alkaline exposure.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, exposure to specified alkaline conditions and post-exposure assessment criteria to judge visual and surface changes to printed samples. The original scope was alkali-specific; later ISO standards (ISO 2836 series) broadened the range of agents covered.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Ink manufacturers, commercial printers, test laboratories, R&D teams and specifiers who need to evaluate or compare the alkali resistance of printed matter for quality control and product development.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 2838:1974 is withdrawn (withdrawal effective October 7, 1999) and has been superseded by the ISO 2836 series (later editions and revisions culminating in ISO 2836:2021 for current comprehensive methods). Users should reference the latest ISO 2836 edition for up-to-date, consolidated methods.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — the alkali-resistance method in ISO 2838 was one of several related 1970s standards (ISO 2836, 2838, 2839, 2840, etc.) dealing with resistance of prints to different agents; these were later consolidated under the ISO 2836 family (revised multiple times).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Prints, printing inks, alkali resistance, test method, durability, ISO 2838, graphic technology, resistance assessment.