Protruding Splice - Troubleshooting Paper Defects



This paper defect mostly concerns web printers.  At the paper mill, splices have to be made from time to time.  When making these splices, the splice tape will sometimes go beyond the edges of the paper.  

When the rolls are finally cut to size according to the orders from offset printers, the slitter should make a nice cut.  But if it doesn't cut properly, or tension causes the web of paper to shift slightly, this will protrude the edge of the roll. It could end up as a wrap in a printing unit or nip point.



Splice tape should stop just before the edge.



Splice tape sticks out past edge.

Such defects should be visible from the side of the roll before loading it on the press. 


What you can do about protruding splices?
When we see this paper defect on the side of our rolls, we usually dab a little bit of grease on the protruding splice.  When the edge of the splice passes through the web offset press nip points, it will be less likely to stick.  The splices must also pass through the nip points of the printing unit, so the grease will help it pass through their too.


Follow these steps to prevent problems.

1. Take a picture of the protruding splice before it passes through the press. (In case you need to make a claim)
 
2. Put grease or some other slippery lubricant on it to help it pass.
 
3. If it wraps, save a sample and submit it to the paper company to make a claim.

When preparing a splice for a web offset printing press, the splice tape is usually not applied right to the edge of the paper. This prevents any protruding splice tape.

The same cannot be done by a paper mill.  This is because jumbo rolls get slit into smaller rolls and the splice has already been done.



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