The printing of ceramic substrates by offset gravure is well established industrially and is a potentially viable method for printing circuitry. Modified inks are required to be able to print fine lines at high resolution with minimal displacement and distortion. In the present study a statistical assessment of the role of the components of the ink binder has been undertaken, the inks being evaluated by printing tests and in terms of their rheology and cohesion. The results have been examined using a factor design program and the best-fit multivariate model established in order to describe the response to each factor. Based on the models, it was possible to increase the internal cohesion of the inks which gave a decrease in the Theological phase angle and an increase in print mass. It was found practicable to print lines as fine as 9 μm wide and dots as small as 20 μm diameter on ceramic substrates.
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